5 questions with Kevin Deeth, Utah Grizzlies rookie center

Although he is just a rookie, center Kevin Deeth is leading the first-place Utah Grizzlies in scoring this year with 28 points. The 5-foot-7, 170-pounder from Gig Harbor, Wash., is one of the smaller players on the team, but that hasn't kept him from making a major impact for the Grizzlies after leading Notre Dame to the CCHA Championship last year. Kevin talked about his first year in Utah with Deseret News writer Mike Sorensen.

What have been the biggest differences in professional hockey compared to college hockey?

"The schedule. In college, you have to go to class and have early workouts in the morning and practice in the afternoon and then go home and do homework. It's nice to get more free time here and be able to focus more on hockey-specific stuff and get your body proper rest and recovery with the right training. It's a definitely a positive not having to go to class.

(On the ice) the guys are definitely bigger and stronger and they're a little bit older. But as far as the pace, it's all pretty similar. The style coach (Kevin) Colley coaches is different than I'm used to, but I absolutely love it. He gives us a gameplan, but he likes guys to be creative and he likes offense and making plays. In college you're dumping it in and forechecking all the time."

How did you get started in hockey?

My family all played. I had an older brother (Brian) who played here for awhile. My dad played in college and my grandfather played, so it was kind of a family thing. It wasn't really an option in my family. You either played hockey or you lived on the street (laughs). He threw us in there early and we played a lot of different sports.

I was big into lacrosse and soccer and also played basketball as a kid. We played a lot of sports when we were younger. Kids nowadays play just one sport. I don't know if I like that. You need to play all of them when you're younger."

Are you surprised to be the team's leading scorer as a rookie?

"I came in just hoping to play and contribute a little bit. I've been lucky to play with some really good guys, good players who have made me look a lot better than I am. I think we have a bunch of guys who are pulling the rope and doing the same thing. I've been lucky enough to get a few more assists. That's a product of who you're playing with. I'm just trying to contribute and pull my end."

What are your aspirations as a professional?