One of the primary joys of being a follower of the minor league game is the chance to watch young players develop. I can think of no better example of this than Kevin Doell, a player I once described as "looking like everyone's little brother" . Four years ago he had the roughest of starts in Gwenette, breaking his jaw not once but twice during his rookie season. The next fall he was up with the Wolves, still small, scrapping and looking for all the world like a target for the bad boys. Fans watched Doell develop over the next two years, all heart in a small package. This year everything has seemed to come together, off season conditioning made a noticeable difference, looking at photos it seems as if his physique has caught up with his heart, at 5'11" 189 pounds, solid center of the Wolves first line. Kevin Doell, yet another Wolf who deserves a full shot at the NHL's big show, will he get it? Or will he go on like so many other smaller talented players before him to the European Elites.
The highest complement I have ever paid a professional athlete was that when watching him skate he made me feel like a kid at 2:20 running home and strapping them on, a palpable moment of after school joy. I could tell a second Wolf this, Kevin, you have it, the ability to show us just why we teach this game on frozen ponds to our children. There is joy in your stride and line, don't ever loose it!
Powderhornhockey
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