ESPN Said it’s Done:5-star 7-foot-190-pound as mike Sullivan the obvious, clear-cut No.1 Defenceman has shouck Entries National hockey League NHL Community and winnipage jets world_turns Down a staggering $5.3m NIL Deal with…..see more

In a stunning move that has sent shockwaves through the hockey world, 18-year-old phenom Mike Sullivan — the towering 7-foot, 190-pound defenceman dubbed by ESPN as the “obvious, clear-cut No. 1 prospect” — has made headlines not for what he’s accepted, but for what he’s turned down.

According to multiple reports confirmed by ESPN on Monday, Sullivan rejected a $5.3 million NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) endorsement deal, choosing instead to pursue his NHL dream the traditional way. The offer, made by a consortium of major sports brands and media entities, was reportedly tied to keeping Sullivan in college hockey for at least one more year.

But the blue-liner had other plans.

“The NHL has always been the goal,” Sullivan said in a brief statement. “Money will come, but legacy is earned. I want to compete with the best, now.”

“Done Deal,” Says ESPN

ESPN’s lead draft analyst Craig Wozniak didn’t mince words in Monday’s broadcast:

“It’s done. Barring something truly unprecedented, Mike Sullivan will go No. 1 overall in the 2026 NHL Draft. There’s no debate anymore.”

Scouts have compared Sullivan to a hybrid of Victor Hedman’s defensive IQ and Zdeno Chára’s physical presence, but with an added flair for puck movement. He’s a rare package: a towering presence on the blue line with elite skating ability and a surprisingly soft touch in transition.

The Winnipeg Jets, holding the top pick after a dismal 2024-25 season, are reportedly “ecstatic” about the possibility of building their defensive corps around Sullivan for the next decade.

The NIL Deal: Why He Said No

The $5.3 million NIL offer — one of the largest ever proposed to a hockey player — came with substantial perks: sponsorships, media appearances, and guaranteed visibility across college and junior platforms. However, insiders suggest Sullivan was uneasy about tying himself to commercial interests that could complicate his professional development.

One agent familiar with the deal said:

“He’s smart. He knows the money in the NHL will far surpass that NIL figure over time. But more than that, he doesn’t want distractions. He’s all in on the NHL.”

The Reaction: “A Throwback in a Modern Era”

Sullivan’s decision has ignited debate across the hockey world. Many fans and analysts are praising his old-school mindset, while others see it as a risky move in a sports landscape increasingly shaped by NIL opportunities and brand building.

Hockey Night in Canada commentator Ron MacLean called Sullivan’s move “a throwback in a modern era.”

“This is a kid who’s not playing the game around hockey — he’s playing hockey. Pure and simple.”

What’s Next for Sullivan?

Sources say Sullivan will not return to college hockey or the U.S. National Development Team but instead train with NHL-level coaches ahead of the draft. There’s also buzz that he could join a European pro team temporarily to stay game-ready — a move reminiscent of other top prospects in recent years.

Whatever his next step, one thing is clear: Mike Sullivan is betting on himself — and the entire NHL community will be watching.