CrashingTheGoalie

by Ron Spence

Of course the kid’s tough.

“I grew up on a farm,” Tanner Glass explains, ”and we had to cut a hole in the ice for our cows to drink out of during the winter. My dad would put my skates on and let me skate around while he cut a hole in the ice. My dad played hockey and he taught me most of what I know today.”

Hell, I’m sitting in an internet cafe in Bangkok and feeling cold just reading this.

Or, maybe it’s the aircon.

Glass started playing hockey when he was three – and could skate all through the winter because he wasn’t heavy enough to go through the ice.

Where he lived was in the total toolies.

“We have a little gas station, general store, a few streets,” Glass said. “I live about six miles outside of town – on 25 acres – so technically we’re not even in Craven but it’s where we get our mail. Our nearest neighbor is a mile away in either direction.”

Glass admits that he wasn’t good enough to play Major Junior in Canada.

He played for the Yorkon Mallers, of the Saskatchewan Minor Hockey League as a 17-year old. Next Glass played in the B.C. Hockey League and was an All-star.

He was courted by Dartmouth from the Ivy League circuit.

“I really liked him from the moment I watched him,” Dartmouth’s Coach Peters said. “He skates well, has a good skill level, can score goals, make good physical plays and he typifies the way we want to play hockey here at Dartmouth. He’s the type of player who does all the little things.”

It was in the eastern U.S. that Tanner Glass suffered some setbacks. He was diagnosed with mono after playing in only one freshman game. And then in his sophmore year, he developed toxic shock syndrome as a result of the mono.

“I was in and out of the hospital as they were trying to diagnose me,” Glass says. ”I think it’s harder to be sick over being injured because there’s no timetable that tells you when you can come back.”

Tanner had a big game when he returned. He scored a shorthanded goal – in regulation – and twice in a nine-round shootout when Dartmouth defeated Bowling Green (Tanner’s big game).

This was his first game since serving a one-game suspension for spearing – in an exhibition game against the United States under-18 team.

“Tanner doesn’t make excuses,” Dartmouth coach Bob Gaudet said. “When that happened in the U.S. game, I asked him and he said, ‘Coach, I did it. I deserved what I got. The kid’s fine, but it was stupid.’

I admire that; he’s an honest kid. He’s everything I could ask for in a hockey player.”

In his third college season, Glass was Dartmouth’s highest scoring junior – with 28 points – and shared the lead with 6 power-play goals.

“Offensively he’s improved every year and he’s been great for us,” coach Peters said.

Tanner Glass was second in team scoring – with 28 points – his senior year, and was on the top line for most of the season and a key guy on the power play.

He was also the team’s captain and ammassed 92 penalty minutes.

“Tanner is our heart and soul,” said Dartmouth coach Bob Gaudet. “I’ve liked him as a player from the start. He’s been a real fighter and excellent leader for us. Tanner plays a physical style but he’s still able to score the big goals when we need them. The biggest skill he has is work ethic and that’s not something you can teach. We’re very happy that he came to Dartmouth.”

courtesy of sportsnet.ca

Tanner Glass was drafted in the 9th round – 265th overall – in 2003 (It was after his final season in the BCHL and before his four years in the ECAC.).

“I had no idea I was going to be drafted,” Glass said. “The assistant general manager called me and said the first time he saw me play I was sick, the second time I was okay and the third time I was awful. But they saw something in me and told me they thought I could work into a player for them.”

During his Amateur Tryout – during the 2006-07 season – he had one point in four games for the Rochester Americans.

The following 2007-2008 campaign, he split between Rochester (43 games) and Florida (41 games), tallying two points (1+1) and 39 PIM in the NHL – while averaging 4.25 minutes a game.

“He is very responsible,” Martin said. “I like his intensity and his determination. He does a good job out there.”

courtesy of hockeydb.com

Tanner Glass’ bad luck returned this past season.

He played in only three NHL games due to a shoulder injury (He averaged 6.45 minutes per game, and had 7 penalty minutes.).

Glass played 44 games for the Rochester Americans and scored 4 goals – along with 9 assists – while accumulating 100 penalty minutes.

He played injured for most of last season, which many fans didn’t know about.

“Fans enjoyed Glass for not being afraid to play the body,” writes Let’s Go Amerks! “hit another player, and drop the gloves to fight when needed.  Unfortunately there was also a lot more games where he just did not appear to show up to play…Glass’ season ended early with an injury to his shoulder that he eventually needed surgery on.  The injury did play a big part in why his play seemed to be on and off at many times…We may have been harsh on Tanner earlier in the season, but take all that back now that we know he was playing injured for most of it.”

Florida hadn’t given up on Glass, but were waiting to see how his recovery was going.

So, Mike Gillis beat the Panthers to the punch.

Punching is an important part of Tanner Glass’ game.

courtesy of hockeyfights.com

Many believe that Glass will take Mike Brown’s place on the Moose’s roster, and can replace Rick Rypien when he’s injured.