GEOFF
KINRADE
Michigan Tech
Jr. | D | Nelson, British Columbia
Kinrade's offensive numbers jumped by four goals
and 12 points from his freshman season to last year.
Key Statistics: On a
defense-first club, Kinrade was one of just two Husky
blueliners to skate in all 40 of the team’s games.
He notched 19 points and had a team-best +15 plus/minus
rating as Tech finished above .500 and made its first
WCHA Final Five appearance in a decade.
What He Does: Kinrade
is blessed with decent size (6-foot, 200) and has all
of the necessary tools to defend a college hockey blue
line, but it’s his offensive abilities that have
fans in Houghton harboring hopes of the Huskies taking
a step into the WCHA’s upper echelon in 2008.
As a freshman and sophomore, Kinrade often showed his
ability to jump into the offensive rush as a fourth
attacker. If the Huskies are to contend, the offensive
boost he provides will be vital.
The Bigger Picture:
Huskies coach Jamie Russell mentions Kinrade’s
skating skills first and foremost when asked about the
British Columbian’s past successes and future
promise. It’s that confidence in Kinrade’s
ability on his skates that has Russell unafraid to appoint
the junior as his top defenseman weeks before the team
even takes to the ice. College is all about learning,
and Russell is also quick to mention the two seasons
of important on-ice education Kinrade has gotten while
playing a regular role on Tech’s power play. In
other words, when Northern Michigan comes to visit MacInnes
Student Ice Arena on Oct. 12, it’s no secret who
the Wildcats’ top line will see on the opposing
blue line when the first puck is dropped.
Michigan Tech head coach Jamie
Russell on Kinrade: “Geoff will inherit
the number one defenseman role this season, as his skating
and strength allow him to play any style. As a junior,
we expect Geoff to play a lot of minutes with no drop
off from shift to shift or night to night."
