Leeds Knights v Tilburg Trappers: Zack Sullivan enjoys smooth transition ahead of opening night
ZACH SULLIVAN admits to feeling daunted after making the switch to Leeds Knights in the summer – but his transition into the team as one of only two new faces has been an easy one.
The 32-year-old defenceman chose to end an 11-year stint in the Elite League after swapping Manchester Storm for Leeds.
It was a move seen as something of a marquee signing for the Knights given the former GB international's experience in the UK top-flight.
Tonight sees Knights fans get their first chance to see Sullivan in action for his new team when they open their pre-season campaign against the Netherlands’ Tilburg Trappers.
The Dutch team ply their trade in Oberliga Nord, the third tier of German hockey and their visit to Elland Road Ice Arena is the first of two games in Yorkshire, with Hull Seahawks playing host to them on Saturday.
It is expected to be a tough test for Ryan Aldridge’s team, who have only one other new addition to their ranks other than Sullivan in the shape of Canadian forward Cullen McLean.
With so many returning players, Sullivan admitted he felt daunted at coming into such a close-knit group, but he soon realised there was no need for him to worry.
“I was a bit daunted, you know - I mean, there's two new guys, me and McLean and they're so tight knit, you can see that straight away - they've obviously won pretty much everything together,” said Sullivan, who spent six full seasons with the Storm.
“So I was a bit worried about how I would fit in, but they've all been so welcoming and have made me feel included, which is just testament to how nice everyone is in that room - they're all just really good guys.”
On tonight’s opening game of pre-season, Sullivan added: “They're going to be fast and probably one of the more physical teams we're going to play this season.
“It's going to be a hard game, it's going to be a good game - but that's why we play hockey, we want to play against top teams.”