Player Profile - John Kruse

John Kruse - 6'0"/180lbs - Forward

1989 birth year from Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Attended the 2006 Gopher Model Camp where he was a teammate of former Express defenseman Chris Slavik. Competed for Eden Prairie High School during the 2006/2007 season, scoring 14 goals and 30 assists. Was a member of the Section 6 Ted Brill Great 8 Roster in 2007. 2007/2008 season - Made the Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL) roster out of tryout camp. Scored 1 goal in 4 preseason games with Stampede before being traded with 2008 Express draft pick Justin Lee to the NAHL's Texas Tornado. Spent the remainder of the season with Texas, scoring 8 goals and 12 assists in 45 games. Played with current teammate Troy Puente as a member of the Tornadoes. See him in action in this photo album from the Texas Tornado Booster Club: http://www.texastornadobc.com/Galleries/New_TTBC_Galleries-INDEX/Player%20Pictures/2007-2008%20Player%20Pics/25%20John%20Kruse/index.html


My take: He's a nice solid, veteran forward, who should play a big role with the Express this season, both on the ice, and off the ice as a mentor to the young guys. He's battle-hardened, having spent last year playing in the very physical South Division with the Tornado, and now gets to play in his home state with our favorite team. I look forward to watching him come September.

--BK