NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – Niagara men’s hockey alumni Vince Rocco (’09) and Dan Sullivan (’09) competed for Italy at the 2014 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Championship in Belarus.
“Having Vince and Dan competing in the World Championships for Italy is an amazing feat,” head coach Dave Burkholder said. “It is a testament to both as players and people. How exciting it must be to lace them up against the world’s best players and many NHL players and stars. They have made us proud and we follow them with great pride.”
The 2014 IIHF World Championships is being hosted by Belarus in its capital, Minsk, from May 9-25. Italy was one of sixteen national teams competing. The Niagara alumni and Team Italy were placed in Group A for the preliminary round, having to play Canada, Sweden, Czech Republic, France, Slovakia, Norway and Denmark. The top four teams of Canada, Sweden, Czech Republic and France have advanced to the quarterfinal round which will begin on May 22.
Sullivan and Rocco each appeared in over 140 games for the Purple Eagles from 2005-09, and were pivotal members of 2007-08 squad that captured the College Hockey America (CHA) Tournament title which garnered a berth in the 2008 NCAA Tournament. Sullivan finished his career with seven goals, 23 assists and 30 points, while Rocco scored 46 goals, 74 assists and 120 points.
Both shared similar paths after graduation as Sullivan and Rocco briefly played for the Reading Royals of the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) during the 2008-09 season before traveling overseas to suit up in the Serie A, the top professional hockey league in Italy. Sullivan began his international playing career with Sportivi Ghiaccio Cortina, and has been a member of Asiago HC for the previous two seasons, scoring 18 goals and 20 assists for 48 points in 77 games. Rocco played four seasons with Alleghe HC where he scored 75 goals, 138 assists and 213 points. He now laces up the skates for Troja-Ljungby IF of Sweden, netting 10 goals and contributing nine assists in 52 games during his first season.
Including Rocco and Sullivan, there are 18 Purple Eagle alums actively playing professional hockey while nine former players hold full time positions as college coaches.
