Tucker Hockey
The O’Sullivan’s – A Father and Son Duo
Published: October 6, 2022
Wayne Gretzky said, “Everything I did in hockey I worked for and that’s the way I’ll be as a coach”.
Hard work is critical for success and this father & son instructor duo has brought just that! Tom and Michael O’Sullivan are Tucker Hockey’s second father & son instructor duo since its genesis back in 1999. Tom is a past / alumni instructor (2010 – 2013) and Michael is a current instructor (2015 – Present). Combined, they have brought their hard work, dedication, superior instruction, and passion for the game to Tucker hockey over the past years. Yes, enthusiastically teaching each participant the Tucker Hockey Way.
Tom started skating with Tucker hockey over 20 years ago. He began as a participant in the Adult fundamentals program and later enjoyed being an assistant on ice instructor. Tom played competitive hockey in Quebec and later as a coach (NCCA Certified High Performance 2). He coached community hockey and coached up to Junior level as well as Senior girls, coached provincially Hockey Canada High Performance camps, and instructed in the adult and children skating programs through the Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary.
Taken at the end of Michael’s Atom season
Tom proudly coached the team this year
Tom feels “The greatest joy is seeing participants (never-evers to advanced participants) learning new skills, having fun participating in and leading active lifestyles.”
At the age of six, Michael was participating in Tucker Hockey power skating programs. He continued developing with Tucker Hockey and naturally transitioned to being an apprentice on ice instructor in his late teens. Michael, who is now 24 years old, was always a defenseman. He played with Trails West Minor Hockey Association and is currently playing in the Garrison league for the Calgary Highlanders regimental hockey team “The Oakleafs”. Michael is an infantry and mortar man soldier, a competitive bag piper, and a member of a military reserve unit in Calgary.
Michael currently plays for the Calgary Highlanders regimental hockey team “The Oakleafs”
To learn more about Michael you can visit his instructor profile at TUCKER HOCKEY ON ICE INSTRUCTOR PROFILE – MICHAEL O’SULLIVAN – Tucker Hockey.
A fun and interesting fact about Michael’s family tree is that on his mother’s side of the family it includes Dave Ritchie of the Montreal Wanderers. On December 19, 1917, Dave Ritchie scored the very first goal in the NHL!
Tom and Michael love participating in hockey and leading an active lifestyle. They both strive for excellence on and off the ice. They understand what it takes to achieve goals and success and they have brought this to their instructing. They know lessons learned on the ice transfer over to life as well.
Hockey = Good Memories!
They may not agree on which NHL team to root for but one thing we know they agree on for sure is the Tucker Hockey Way!!
Editor’s Note:
It has been a pleasure knowing the O’Sullivan’s over the past 20 years. Especially to see firsthand Michael’s personal growth and development from a youth hockey player to a very competent on ice instructor. Tucker Hockey has cultivated many fond memories with the O’Sullivan’s on the ice from the game of hockey. Simply summed up in two words; Good People!!
~Coach Rex