Journal staff
Sarnia Sting alumni Brent Sullivan will join the team as an assistant coach ahead of the 2023-2024 season, the club announced this week.
“I am incredibly honoured, humbled, and grateful for the opportunity to begin my OHL coaching career with the organization I played for,” said Sullivan. “Sarnia is like a second home to me. I’m looking forward to getting to town and helping the players develop and get to the next level.”
A native of Carp, Ontario, Sullivan was drafted by the Sting in the fourth round, 61st overall in the 2006 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Priority Selection. The former defenceman played in 125 OHL games with the club and 10 games with the Sarnia Legionnaires, where he started his coaching career as an assistant coach during the 2011-12 season.
After serving as an assistant coach for the Kemptville 73’s, Pembroke Lumber Kings, Kanata Lasers and Surrey Eagles, Sullivan joined the University of Ottawa Men’s Hockey Program as an assistant coach in 2016.
During his tenure with the University of Ottawa, Sullivan spent two different stints as a coach of both the OHL U15 Program of Excellence and the Hockey Eastern Ontario U15 Program of Excellence in 2017 and 2019 respectfully.
He was also promoted to associate coach ahead of the 2019-20 season.
In 2021, Sullivan purchased the Carleton Place Canadians of the Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL) and served as the Hockey Club’s head coach and general manager.
Over his two seasons as head coach, the Canadians posted a record of 49-52-4-5.
“After a diligent process, we quickly narrowed in on a couple of candidates. It became clear that Brent had all the elements we were looking for in a coach,” said Sting general manager Dylan Seca. “He’s a progressive, detailed, and gifted teacher of the game. “Brent is also someone who has been knocking on the door to the OHL,” he added.
“We are excited to welcome Brent and his wife Kayla to the Sarnia Sting.”
Head Coach Alan Letang added, “Brent’s resume speaks for itself, and we feel his passion for the game, dedication to teaching, drive and desire to learn align perfectly with the culture and direction we are going in as an organization. As an alum Brent knows exactly how great this city is and how supportive the community is of our players.”
The Sting also announced the addition of several new members to the video scouting and analytics department, headed by lead of statistical analytics and research David MacPherson. Among those joining the team are Chase Allen, who joins as lead statistical analyst and manager of special programs, and Dylan Krill who will serve as a video scout and statistical analyst.
Additionally, Jordan Jacklin, Chase Rochon, Ray Mullins, Austin Broad, and Jack Bernardo will all be joining the Sting in volunteer capacities as data trackers for the 2023-24 season