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The Tribune-Democrat

Monday- January 22, 2001 Edition

Sully Takes Game To The Limit

By Mike Mastovich THE TRIBUNE DEMOCRAT
On a typical night in the East Coast Hockey League, Jeff Sullivan will sacrifice his body to block a shot, pound an opponent in the corner or badger a player in front of the net.
The Johnstown Chiefs defenseman, might drop his gloves and fight, probably until the other guy manages to pull Sullivan’s sweater over his head after taking a beating from the solid 6-foot-1, 215-pounder. It’s not unusual for Sullivan to enter the Chiefs locker room with cuts, bruises and maybe a little blood on the uniform.
“He brings an element to our team that is sometimes overlooked, but very, very valuable,” Chiefs center Andrew Dale said.
“He’s one of the toughest guys I’ve ever played with and also one of the smartest defenseman I’ve ever played with. He makes simple plays and he’s consistent.
“He is tough in every sense of the word. He comes to work everyday. He plays through injury. He puts the team in front of himself at every possibility. He’s the kind of guy that you want on your team.”
Sullivan quietly makes a big impression with his blue-collar approach. But his time on the ice might pale in comparison to his off-season job on the water.
The 22-year-old native of Brigus South, Newfoundland, spends his summers on the Atlantic Ocean as part of his uncle’s commercial fishing business. The days are long. So are the nights. And the weeks. Anyone who’s watched the movie “The Perfect Storm” knows some of the perils a fisherman might encounter on the ocean.
“My uncle owns the boat. I spend most of my summer on the water,” Sullivan said. “I don’t have much time at home. It’s a job. It’s tough work. You put in a lot of hours. You’re away from home four or five days on the water.
“I grew up with fishing. My dad fished when he was alive. My family livelihood was fishing.”
When the Chiefs make a 13-hour bus trip to Peoria, Ill., Sullivan isn’t likely to complain. He’s had rougher rides on the 49-foot long boat with a five-man crew.
“It takes us 12 to 15 hours to get out there, and you pretty much stay out there until she’s full,” Sullivan said of a typical fishing trip for shrimp and crabs.
“You stay out there 18 hours or more, then come back in again.
“I’ve been out in some pretty bad weather. We have to be aware of icebergs when we’re steaming at night. It’s pretty tough work. It’s a pretty hectic job, I guess.”
Chief’s coach Scott Allen said Sullivan has matured as a hockey player because of his off-season employment.
“When the water’s frozen, he makes his money on the frozen stuff (playing hockey),” Allen said. “When it warms up, he makes his money on the water.”
Quips aside, Sullivan is the type of player appreciated by Allen, who spent 10 years in the minors and overachieved because of his work ethic.
“He’s an old-school hockey player,” Allen said. “He’s going to battle for his team and his teammates every night. He’s a hard-nosed individual. He doesn’t complain. He plays dinged up. He knows what his job is. He knows his role.”
Through 41 games, Sullivan had one goal, six points and a team-high 149 penalty minutes. He was a plus-2 for the 17-21-4 Chiefs, after Saturday’s home loss to the first-place Rivermen.
As a rookie under contract to AHL Saint John, New Brunswick, in 1999-2000, Sullivan played 58 games for the Chiefs (two goals, 10 points, 181 penalty minutes) and nine games for AHL Saint John (three points). The Flames didn’t renew Sullivan’s contract after a front office shakeup at the NHL and AHL levels. The Chiefs signed him just prior to the regular-season opener.
“Last year, they wiped out their whole management in Saint John and Calgary,” Sullivan said. “Whoever liked me last year wasn’t around this year. You go out and play every night. Whatever comes out of it comes out of it.”
His teammates notice Sullivan’s unselfish style.
“He focuses on the job he has to do and he does really well,” goaltender Freddie Deschenes said. ‘He’s strong in front of the net. Big guys are standing in front of the net, and he does a good job to clear them.”
Sullivan lets his actions speak on the ice, but there is a more humorous side to his personality.
“He’s quiet, but he’s a funny guy,” Dale said. “He’s one of those guys who’s a treat in the dressing room. He makes you laugh. He makes a tense situation seem a little easier.”
Especially when he rocks out to the music of groups like Bon Jovi and Great Big Sea.
“He’s got some dance moves that are second to none,” Dale said.
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