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