You injured your hand playing football. What happened? I broke my left hand [and] missed the last half of the season, then playoffs. I broke it in our second game but played until the fourth.

How is it now? It's better now. Shouldn't be a problem for hockey at all.

Talk about your first experience on skates. The first time I put on skates, I laid and cried on the ice. I was 2 1/2. I had to talk [my parents] into letting me do it again. They thought they wasted the money on all the pads and stuff.

Your playing style? Just a grinder. I don't make the pretty plays. I just try to go out and play hard.

Three things that you couldn't take the ice without: Music - a lot of rap and metal; I put on all my left pads first; and Jack Schmidt and I always do our secret handshake.

What team really motivates you? White Bear Lake. The rivalry has always been there and every time we play them in anything, it's a big game for us.

Favorite part of practice? When we put the nets in the corners and have small, two-on-two games. We get to get physical.

Season tradition: I tend to grow a mustache and this year, I'm thinking of doing the mustache and maybe getting a perm. [It] may not be my best look.

Hockey or football? Football. I like being the quarterback; everyone's eyes are on you and looking at you to make the plays.

BRYCE EVANS