CORNER BROOK, N.L. – Malcolm Genge wants to see how he stacks up in a hockey environment where the pace is quicker than anything he’s seen at home.
He believes he found that with the Pictou County Weeks Crushers.
Genge, 17-year-old native of Anchor Point, N.L., could have played his third and final season with the Western Kings of the Newfoundland and Labrador major midget hockey league, but felt the timing was right for him to see if he could hold his own in a higher brand of hockey.
“It’s just at a higher level and it’s going make me develop to (be) a better hockey player and a better young man I guess,” said the six-foot-two, 230-pound defenceman.
Genge admits it’s going to take time to adjust to the quick pace, but believes he’s fitting in nicely with his new teammates and likes how the team is looking in the early going.
“We’re glad to have him here. He provides not only some size back there but he’s pretty good with the puck,” said Crushers coach Doug Doull, who called Genge a “work in progress” but added that “we’re very happy with what we’ve seen so far.”
Genge is a physical presence on the ice, a stay-at-home blueliner who takes pride in making life miserable for opposing forwards, and a smooth skater who doesn’t mind being an offensive threat.
“Take care of my own end first and jump in on the play when it comes,” he said.
He’s excited about getting his first game under his belt Thursday and he’s happy to have a familiar face join him on the journey – former Kings teammate Brayden Ryan is also suiting up with the Crushers this year.
