O'Sullivan, five years later
It's been almost five years since the story about Patrick O'Sullivan and his abusive upbringing became public. ESPN magazine had the big story a few years back, but CBC maintains a web page about the story. Check it out if you've never seen it, or if you haven't read the story in a few years.
Recently, ESPN magazine followed up with O'Sullivan, who had this to say about the story and his father:
``I still get envelopes I think are from him. I just throw them in the trash. Telling my story was tough. But at the end of the day, if someone -- even just one person -- read it and was helped, it was worth it.''
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J.P. Hoornstra writes about NHL and IHL hockey for the Los Angeles Newspaper Group. He welcomes any and all dialogue on the finer points of hockey.
E-mail J.P. at jp.hoornstra@inlandnewspapers.com.
Jill Painter joined the Daily News in 2000 and during the last eight years she's covered the Dodgers, Cal State Northridge, UCLA, Kings, golf and everything in between. Even though she's from Colorado, she still freezes in the Staples Center press box but always manages to thaw her fingers in time to make deadline. E-mail Jill at jill.painter@dailynews
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Vincent Bonsignore is a sports columnist for the Los Angeles Daily News. E-mail Vinny at vincent.bonsignore
@dailynews.com.
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Real interesting story. I head O'Sullivan was drafted in the 2nd round b/c of his personal history. If it wasn't for that, he would have been drafted in the 1st.
This just looks like it was a total nightmare for Patrick + the whole family. It's the classic failed parent living the dream through their child. The damage done must have been immense. God Bless Patrick that he has a life of his own to be lived how HE chooses. The kid really does have a bright NHL future. Time will tell, but the trade for O'Sullivan might turn out to have been a steal. He has the basic same stats as Demitra anyway, and is 10 years younger.
What a wonderful web page.
I read this page five years ago. And its just as powerful now as it was then.
What a story about heart and courage.
The man is a hero. He sets an example to all kids with obstacles in life.
I'll save this page for my kids to read some day.
"Time will tell, but the trade for O'Sullivan might turn out to have been a steal. He has the basic same stats as Demitra anyway, and is 10 years younger."
time has already TOLD. Patrick is already as good, if not better, than Demitra. AND 10 years younger.
I am thrilled and honored to see him in a Kings uniform. Especially after reading this.
as a coach who was repeatedly confronted by parents with stop watches complaining about their 14 year old's "ice time" and pre and post game sessions explaining to parents why their sons were not on the power play line, this story gives me goose bumps. I'm glad Sully has managed to overcome or live with this. I think that in a strange way, this probably has made him a better player.
The comparisons between Demitra and O'Sullivan are kinda interesting. Pavol has 44 points (15+29); O'Sullivan has 45 (19+26). Demitra might have to stretch to make it to 20 goals. He used to do that easily over past 11 years. Patrick needs just 1 goal and he's there. And O'Sullivan is infinitely cheaper via his entry level contract at this stage of his career w/ points produced. Demitra is expensive and is perhaps in decline.
Yep, I'd take O'Sullivan.
Wow... I've really been impressed with O'Sullivan's play over the past couple of years. Now, I have an even greater respect for him.
Thanks for the story.
"Yep, I'd take O'Sullivan."
and to think we got trevor lewis in that trade too...
Sully's been incredible this year, he's had an awesome season and shown that he has a great capacity for improving his own game.
wow. just wow. thanks for the story, and thanks sully for your perseverance and constant all-out effort.
Sully is always pretty impressive and this just shows what kind of person he is... to see what he's been through and to see him succeed. We definetely got the better end of the trade with Demitra.
Patrick OSullivan is a God and we merely walk in the shadow of his turbulence!
Oh, and Dustin Brown too :)
Thank you - and thanks to Patrick for being willing to share his difficult story and be an influence for others.