Chicago Blackhawks' Hinostroza mixes it up
At least three times over the past two weeks Vinnie Hinostroza has shown the Chicago Blackhawks - and their opponents - that he's not about to be messed with.
Perhaps the most impressive incident came against the Avs on Dec. 23 at the United Center when Hinostroza, who is all of 5-feet-9 and 173 pounds, mixed it up with the 6-4, 215-pound Eric Gelinas and the 6-5, 221-pound Joe Colborne.
After a play had been blown dead and with little help in sight from teammates, Hinostroza stood his ground, stared both players down and hit Colborne in the chin with his stick.
That drew a cross-checking penalty (while Colborne was called for roughing), but the message was sent - this rookie isn't about to be pushed around.
"I've always had that in me," Hinostroza said. "I've always played contact sports, so I'm not afraid to get dirty and to check and get in little scrums after the play.
"Especially if one of my teammates is in there, I'm going to be in there helping him no matter how big the guy is because we're all brothers in here and you want to be there for each other."
Earlier in that loss to the Avs, Hinostroza didn't back down from the 6-2, 217-pound Rene Bourque, and just last week he had a run-in with Buffalo D-man Rasmus Ristolainen, who is 6-4, 203.
Hinostroza is giving up half a foot and 30, 40, even 50 pounds to these players, but his experience playing football and lacrosse helped ready him for the kind of contact players find every day in the NHL.
"I think it has to do a little bit with that, but I'm kind of a hardworking kid. So no matter what I'm not going to be soft," Hinostroza said. "You never want to be thought of as soft or a pushover or somebody that can be messed with.
"Definitely want to hold your ground, especially as a younger guy."
Toews loses bet:
Standing next to a smiling Patrick Kane, a smirking Jonathan Toews donned a Team USA jersey Sunday to make good on a bet after the United States defeated Canada 5-4 in a shootout Thursday in the IIHF World Junior Championship.
Tweeted Toews: "@TeamCanada I feel your pain but I would still make this bet any day. … get em next year."
Kane and the rest of the Hawks, who beat Buffalo as the WJC title game was going on, were surprised they were able to watch the exciting conclusion.
"It was pretty cool having 25 guys in the room watching the TV watching a shootout," Kane said. "It was fun to watch. Obviously cool to see the Americans win."
Milestone check:
• Marian Hossa needs 2 assists for 600 in his career.
• Brian Campbell needs 2 points for 500 in his career.
• Jonathan Toews, who has 584 points, needs 13 to pass Jeremy Roenick for ninth all time in franchise history.