Carp’s Sullivan named OHL’s Sting assistant coach

SARNIA – The Ontario Hockey League’s (OHP) Sarnia Sting have named Carp native Brent Sullivan one of its new assistant coaches.

Sarnia Sting general manager Dylan Seca announced multiple additions to the club’s hockey operations department this morning (July 19), including Sting alumni Brent Sullivan will be joining the team as an assistant coach ahead of the 2023-24 season.

“After a diligent process we quickly narrowed in on a couple of candidates,” Seca said. “It became clear that Brent had all the elements we were looking for in a coach. He’s a progressive, detailed, and gifted teacher of the game. Combined with his excellent character and being a Sting alumni, Alan and I are excited about this next step for our staff. Brent is also someone who has been knocking on the door to the OHL. He is the owner, general manager, and head coach of the Carleton Place Canadians in the CCHL, and we believe his experiences will support our players. We are excited to welcome Brent and his wife Kayla to the Sarnia Sting.”

“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,” Sting head coach Alan Letang said. “As an alum, Brent knows exactly how great this city is and how supportive the community is of our players.”

A native of Carp, 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 with 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.

“I am incredibly honoured, humbled, and grateful for the opportunity to begin my OHL coaching career with the organization I played for,” Sullivan said. “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.” 

Sullivan officially stepped down as head coach of the Canadians earlier today.

“This was a tough decision for me, but ultimately an opportunity arose in a situation that was the perfect fit,” Sullivan said. “My wife Kayla and I will continue to own the Canadians and provide an environment prioritizing development and a safe space for our athletes. As excited a I am about my next coaching opportunity, I am equally as excited to see what our Canadians will accomplish this season.”

During the COVID-affected 2022 CCHL season, Sullvian brought the Canadians to the Carp outdoor rink for a couple of practices. We met with the team and the coach on Jan. 26, 2022 during practice and you can read the story about that very chill day here.