Best of the West #33: Torey Krug, Michigan State
by WCHBlog on Sep 8, 2009 2:07 PM PDT
2 comments
Torey Krug, Defenseman, 5-7 168 lbs., Indiana(USHL)
Role he'll likely play: Michigan State's defense was a disaster last season. Players like Matt Crandell, Tim Buttery, Justin Johnston, and Brock Shelgren all struggled with the speed of the college game. That leaves a big opening for Krug, who may be small, but is very quick, and plays with great hockey sense to get a lot of ice time. Krug can be a puck-moving defenseman that will play his position well and help MSU's transition game.
Why he is ranked here: Krug was a talented player in the Detroit AAA ranks, but there was some skepticism about him due to his lack of size. Some of those concerns were alleviated last winter when he put up 47 points in 59 games in the USHL and proved he could play against bigger, faster competition.
Why he'll be great: Krug understands the game very well and finds ways to make himself effective without being a physical force.
Why he might not: Not only is Krug small, he's also very young and likely not as physically developed as the player's he'll be playing against.
Contrived Rivals-style star ranking: 3 stars
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I’m excited about the recruits this year for the Spartans. Grant and Krug will be good and be thrown into the thick of things right away. If Petry and Palmisano can play great and some players like Rowe, Leveille, Tropp and Sucharski contribute consistently offensively I look for MSU to finish in the 4-6 range in the CCHA
Krug and other MSU defensemen
While I’m excited to have a great skater on our blue line again – ala Mike Ratchuk – I take issue with a couple details in your blog.
Matt Crandell isn’t our best skater but is a savvy puck handler and solid defenseman. I’m more worried about the likes of Buttery who seemed to have a lot of stock before he joined the team. Also Johnston’s now a senior. He had a nice sophomore season before seeing his ice time decline last season, but by no means does he have trouble with the speed of the college game.
by LiveOrganDonor on Sep 28, 2009 12:57 PM PDT reply actions
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