Jack’s Journal: NHL Carolina Hurricane Player Nathan Gerbe

He plays in the NHL for the Carolina Hurricane. He played at Boston College and grew up in Oxford, Michigan, one of six kids. His parents were examples of good work ethic. He always wanted to play in the NHL, but he had some hills to climb. One of which is height. He is 5’4”, the smallest player ever in the NHL.

“You have to overcome a lot of obstacles and adversity. You fight that battle every day. Even now being in the NHL you have to prove yourself, even when I was 5 years old, I had that chip on my shoulder,” says Nathan Gerbe.

He has moved his family to Northern Michigan to enjoy the off seasons. But he still trains every day. The family just built a new home and the basement is Nathan's work out area. It has the standard weight and cardio training equipment. And just as you expect, Nathan goes hard.

“I go about an hour and a half a day. If I did more, my trainer would kill me. I use to train a ton. Probably four hours a day. But I realize you almost set yourself back,” says Nathan.

As the competition gets younger, Nathan has added a new trick to his program. He has installed synthetic ice in his basement. Something unusual even for a hockey player.

“This is where I do mainly all my shooting, small drills in and out of cones. Mainly for stick handling and skills of the game,” explains Nathan.

So the smallest player in the league, the kid who told teachers it didn't matter, he was going to play in the NHL. The young man who watched his mom work hard and care of six kids, trains, and wins.