Steve Sullivan is in his first season with the Coyotes as the team’s Development Coach. He oversees all pro player development including working with coaches and players in the Coyotes’ minor league system. Recently, Steve spoke with ArizonaCoyotes.com to discuss the progress of the team’s top prospects:

Sullivan

PROSPECT: Brendan Perlini

DRAFTED: 2014 (12th overall)

CURRENT TEAM: Niagara IceDogs (OHL)

SULLY SAYS:



"Brendan Perlini had an unbelievable rookie camp (last summer), stuck around in main camp and broke his hand, which set him back a little bit. He came back and is hitting his stride now. He’s getting back to game speed and playing well (in the OHL)."



"He is a pure goal scorer. Brendan knows where to be on the ice to get the puck, he has a quick release and a hard shot and he scores goals. That is what he is built to do. He loves to do it all over the ice and has a knack for the net, which is fun to see."



"He has some amazing speed and is a very fast hockey player. He's a big boy, tall, and will fill in to that body as he continues to get older."

Brendan Perlini.

"He's curious about the game. Our conversations are at length. He has a lot of questions about the future and what he needs to do to get here (to the NHL). He wants to analyze his game until the end to do all that is necessary to be the best player that he can be."

"He isn’t overconfident, but he believes in himself and that is great. Even when we sent him down with a broken hand he was wondering what else he could’ve done to stay as an 18-year-old and I had to tell him he had a broken hand and that he really didn’t get an opportunity to play with us because of it and to go back and do what he was doing (in the OHL)."He really wants to play (in the NHL). That's his dream and goal, and he will put the work in to make that happen. He believes in himself, knows he has the ability and wants the opportunity to make the next step.""There is definitely a spot for Brendan coming down the road what with his size and speed and awareness of where to go, and with his release and ability to score goals."