ENGLEWOOD, Colo.—As a boy, T.J. Hensick was told he was too small to play hockey. Chris Stewart was told he was too big. But both were donning Colorado Avalanche practice gear Monday.
They’ve proven the doubters wrong with completely different skills, styles and career paths.
Stewart, at 6-foot-2, 230 pounds, is a hulking young forward with soft hands and a background in junior hockey. Hensick, who is generously listed at 5-foot-10, 185 pounds, is a skilled play-maker from the University of Michigan.
And they both think the world of each other’s talents.
“Stewy is definitely is one of the top guys here, hands down,” Hensick said. “He’s got the skill. He’s got the size.”
Stewart was the Avs’ first-round draft choice in the 2006 entry draft. He almost didn’t take to the ice though. He nearly made his mark on the football field instead.
He was even bigger in his high school days. Weighing 260 pounds at age 16, Stewart took a year away from hockey to concentrate on his football skills. At that size, he thought his future would be on the gridiron. He scored 10 touchdowns playing tight end for West Hill High School in Scarborough, Ontario, in 2003.
“I took my (Ontario Hockey League) draft year off,” Stewart said. “But that year off made me realize, I was hockey at heart. So I cut the weight and went to OHL from there.”
Losing weight wasn’t easy, either. It has taken those three years to make it to his current weight and he’s still aiming to lose about 10 more pounds.
Hensick may wish he could take those extra pounds and put them on his frame. But his lack of size certainly hasn’t hindered his game.
He was named a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, given to the top collegiate player in the country, as a sophomore and again as a senior while in Ann Arbor. He led all college players in points-per-game and scoring last year, as well.
So he’s stopped listening to those who told him he wasn’t big enough.
“I’ve heard that since I was growing up,” Hensick said. “I heard I was too small to play for the national team. In Ann Arbor, I heard I was too small to play at Michigan. You’ve just got to deal with that adversity.”
The Avalanche didn’t care about his size. They made him their third-round choice in the 2005 entry draft.
And he and Stewart have developed a bond since arriving at rookie camp. The two trained together, getting ready for rookie camp at the Avalanche facilities for more than a month, although camp didn’t start until Sept. 8.
“T.J. flies around out there,” Stewart said. “He gives stops and starts. He’s really skilled and he has a good chance to stick.”
Hensick draws comparisons to another Michigan native, Mike Modano. Stewart models his game after New York Islanders’ winger Bill Guerin.
But for now, both are hoping to simply stick around until Thursday when veterans report and training officially begins.
“Hopefully I’ll be here,” Hensick said. “But I’ve got to prove that. There aren’t too many spots.”
