User:SomeHockeyProfiles/George Traverse

George Traverse is a Canadian former professional ice hockey forward, whom played with six different National Hockey League teams over the course of his 22-year career. Traverse is widely regarded as one of the biggest draft steals in history, having been selected by the Boston Bruins in the 12th round (249th overall), the third-to-last pick in the 1988 NHL Entry Draft. Also a 22-time All-Star, Traverse is noted for his longevity among the league, being second in total points scored (only to Wayne Gretzky, and is the second player of all time to score more than 200 points in one season, a feat he accomplished twice.

Born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, a large city in Canada, Traverse's grit and strength were praised by players and coaches alike. He was also known for his shot, which was feared among league goaltenders. Minus his obvious checking abilities, Traverse had a keen mind that allowed him to play effectively, and he learned to still be agile on skates regardless of his size.

Traverse first skated at age three, and was smaller than most kids at that age. He was a fast skater from the start and his acceleration was unrivaled from the beginning, but Traverse was not a strong player when he began playing hockey. He was described as "weak" and "tiny" for most of his years playing until his final season in major junior, where he saw an eight-inch growth spurt over just nine months, having to go to the hospital due to his bones growing too rapidly.

Early years
Traverse is not Canadian in any way except birth: his parents were originally from Belgium (father), and Russia (mother). They met while on a vacation in Florida and married in 1965, moving to St. Paul, Minnesota. While on a trip to Canada in 1970, Traverse was born in Saskatoon. The family would return to St. Paul four days later and introduce Traverse to hockey at a very early age when he saw his first hockey game, apparently a St. Paul Vulcans game, a member of the United States Hockey League.

Traverse had four brothers, Darren, Tyler, Miles, and Alexander, plus a sister, Anna. Mike Traverse taught all five boys to skate and introduced them to hockey. Only Darren and George had any interest in the sport. Traverse's first team, at age six, had Traverse playing center with Darren on the wing. Traverse's passing skills were noted, and he had become a source of negative attention from other kids' parents. Some, reportedly, went on to tell their children to attempt to injure Traverse - although he was never injured, he did take a slash on the leg from a skate, albeit accidentally, but would play the game immediately afterwards.

Brandon Wheat Kings (1986-88)
Traverse would play for Brandon and its Wheat Kings team, in the Western Hockey League, or WHL. The team did not make the playoffs in his first season with them, 1986-87, but he was able to put up 146 points in 72 games played (48 goals, 98 assists).

Traverse rejoined the Wheat Kings for the 1987-88 campaign, and he once again played 72 games, recording 154 points (56 goals, 98 assists) once more. The Wheat Kings did make the playoffs but did not make it past the second round. Traverse had seven goals and assists apiece for 14 points in 14 games.