School is really important, especially from an early age, it was always school first, hockey second. So, if I don’ t end up making it in pro, I’ ll fall back on the school scholarship
WESTERN HOCKEY LEAGUE
School is really important, especially from an early age, it was always school first, hockey second. So, if I don’ t end up making it in pro, I’ ll fall back on the school scholarship
74 GAME ON 2016- 17 ROSTER DEADLINE EDITION
the game well, playing it will make success come just that much easier.”
The offence hasn’ t come quite as readily for Christensen with Saskatoon as it did in minor hockey, but after posting four goals and 16 points in 61 games as a WHL rookie in 2015-16, Logan has eclipsed those marks( at press time) with eight goals and 17 points while being one of four members of the Blades to have suited up for all 43 games. No matter where in Manitoba his hometown is, Logan Christensen’ s hockey favourites don’ t seem to jive with what might be expected.“ Edmonton Oilers,” he says quickly and proudly when asked who his favourite NHL team is.“ Back when I was young, the Jets weren’ t there so Edmonton was the team,” he admitted. The incongruity continues when asked about who his favourite NHL player is and which one he tries to pattern his game after.“ I really like( Jordan) Eberle,” said Christensen after a moment of thought.“ But I think( Patrick) Maroon-- he’ s new there now – is a good player. He’ s a big body that gets to the front of the net. Not as much skill as Eberle obviously, but I think I’ d kind of like to watch him more and play like that.” When pressed about the fact that he is 5-foot-10 and 175 pounds with only 14 penalty minutes this season, compared to the 6-foot-3, 230-pound Maroon and his 333 penalty minutes in 261 career NHL games, Christensen laughingly said,“ Well, I’ m not quite like that, but he’ s a big guy who really uses his body and I like to try and incorporate that into my game as much as I can.” Having just turned 18 on Jan. 12, Christensen is in his first year of eligibility for the NHL Draft this summer. However, he isn’ t currently ranked by Central Scouting.“ School is really important, especially from an early age,” Christensen said, when asked if there’ s a fall back plan in case pro hockey isn’ t in his future.“ It was always school first, hockey second. So, if I don’ t end up making it in pro, I’ ll fall back on the school scholarship( the WHL Education program provides money for tuition, books and ancillary fees for each year that a player participates in the league at recognized post-secondary institutions). I’ m not too sure what I would pursue right now, but it would be probably something to do with the sport of hockey.” At that moment, Blades’ head coach Dean Brockman passes by and yells out,“ He’ s going to be a coach someday!” Well?“ Yeah, I think being a coach would be pretty fun,” Christensen replied.“ It looks fun. I’ ve had some good coaches-- really good coaches-- so, yeah, I think that could be something I’ d really look into.”
For now, however, 18-year-old Logan Christensen is intent on playing to his potential with the Blades and giving professional hockey a shot. As for his hometown, should it be changed from Morden to Lundar?“ Yes!” Done. And done. n