NMU Hockey Fresh Faces: Sophomore Nathan Taurence

Editor’s note: For the next eight days, the Inside 1401 Sports Blog introduces the eight incoming Wildcats who will take to the ice for the Northern Michigan University hockey team this season. Check back daily to meet a new fresh face.

Name (number): Nathan Taurence (6)

Position: Defenseman

Year: Sophomore

Age: 23

Height: 5-9

Weight: 175

Hometown: Trenton

Last club (league): College of St. Scholastica (NCAA Div. III)

Major: Secondary special education

Hobbies: Golf

Favorite NHL team: Detroit Red Wings

Favorite NHL player: Pavel Datsyuk

Strongest skill on the ice: Defensive side

Weakest skill on the ice: Quickness

The time you spent watching the NHL will now be spent on what during the lockout?

“I didn’t really watch a lot of hockey, but school work I guess.”

What is your biggest superstition?

“I have to put my left side on before everything on my right, so my left elbow pad or knee pad, they have to go on first. My right arm can’t go in first. Everything has to be left first.”

In head coach Walt Kyle’s words: “Really high character kid. Good work ethic. Great teammate. He’s a guy that is willing to do anything for his teammates. A guy that because of those traits, he can work himself into the lineup. He’s not a real high skill guy but has all the attributes you want for a guy in the bottom half of your lineup.”