Examiner.com: Meet the Ams — Connor Rankin
By Rene Ferran | Examiner.com
This week, after profiling the overagers, we’re going to the opposite end of the age spectrum with 16-year-old rookie F Connor Rankin.
Rankin, the Americans’ first-round bantam pick a year ago, has lived up to his billing during the first two games of his WHL career. He’s had an assist in each of Tri-City’s opening wins — 6-3 over Spokane on Saturday and 4-1 over Seattle on Sunday — and has quickly established himself on a line with captain Kruise Reddick and RW Jordan Messier.
“Those first few shifts of that first game were pretty nervewracking,” Rankin said. “But the other guys on the team helped me, and as the game went on I calmed down. I feel a lot better now.”
Rankin still awaits his first WHL goal, but he knows it’s only a matter of time.
“It’s totally in the back of my mind,” he said. “But I try not to think about it too much, because if I do, I know it’s not going to happen.”
First hockey team: The Mini Mite Bruins at age 5 in that hotbed of hockey — Tucson, Ariz. Rankin was born in North Vancouver, British Columbia, but his family moved to Arizona when he was 4 after vacationing there (they returned to B.C. when he was 10). “My parents asked me what I wanted to do, and I said hockey. The closest rink was 45 minutes away.”
Favorite hockey moment: Scoring the game-winning goal in overtime to lift the Vancouver NW Giants to the British Columbia Major Midget League provincial championship. “I also scored the tying goal with 3 minutes left.”
Childhood hero: Detroit Red Wings great Steve Yzerman. “I loved his style of play. Every time he skated on the ice was so exciting to watch. He was the main reason I pursued hockey.”
What’s playing on the IPod? Rankin has an eclectic mix of music. “Country, hip hop, rap, rock … pretty much every song is on there.”
Must-see TV: “Two and a Half Men.” “That’s really the only show I watch. Mostly, all I watch is movies — comedy, action, doesn’t matter.”
What he wants to be when he grows up: An NHL player. “I haven’t really thought of anything else but playing hockey. If I don’t make it, I’d have to find something quick to do.”
If he wasn’t playing hockey, he’d be playing: Lacrosse. “Because it’s the closest to hockey.”
Favorite sports movie: “Miracle.” “Of course. My favorite scene is when they had to skate after the Norway game. That taught me how hard you have to work to play at a higher level.”
