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outdoor rink and try new things
or even at practice. When I was
younger, there was a lot more
free time and not as structured
practices as I think there are now.
I think that's where you develop
skills and learn to do different
things, whether it's on the defen-
sive side of the puck or offensive
side, just jumping into plays or
shielding pucks.
"Stick on puck was big for me
being a smaller guy."
Smaller Players
Finding Success
But this just isn't Spurgeon.
In today's day and age, it's not
only the big, heavier guys who
necessarily thrive in the NHL.
So do the smaller guys.
Look around the league:
Calgary's Johnny Gaudreau, who
stands 5-9, is a superstar. Patrick
Kane is just 5-10. Boston's Torey
Krug and Tampa Bay's Tyler
Johnson and Nashville's Viktor
Arvidsson all stand 5-9. Columbus'
Cam Atkinson and the New York
Rangers' Mats Zuccarello stand
5-8. Vegas' Jonathan Marchessault
is one of the most exciting play-
ers—he stands 5-9. Alex DeBrincat
is an up and coming young,
20-year-old stud for the Chicago
Blackhawks. He's listed at 5-7.
6'
5'
4'
3'
Scott Perunovich
Hibbing
2018 College Hockey
Freshman of the Year, UMD
5'10
5'7
PLAYING BIG
Minnesota produces talented players of all sizes.
Carter Randklev
Moorhead
2018 Mr. Hockey
Finalist,
North Dakota
Recruit
5'5
Natalie Heising
Wayzata
Penn State
Leading Scorer
5'5
Nicole Schammel
Red Wing
Golden Gophers
Leading Scorer
The pond
hockey culture
helps Minnesota
consistenly
produce smart,
skilled players.
