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TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — Alex DeBrincat has always been one of the smallest players on the ice and it could have been a hinderance to his career.

In a sport where traditional coaches and management value size, DeBrincat doesn’t bring very much to the table at 5’7″ and 165 pounds. In fact, it’s probably the reason DeBrincat dropped into the second round at the 2016 NHL Entry Draft — a player with his talents wouldn’t be available at 39th overall if he was 6-foot or taller.

That’s helped contribute to the monstrous chip on Debrincant’s pint-sized shoulders. He doesn’t shy away from contact and plays with a physical edge, often toeing the line and getting under an opponent’s skin effectively.

“It kind of just developed by itself,” DeBrincat said. “I’ve always been smaller and I’ve had to find ways to get out of situations and just handle myself. It’s just become part of my game at this point.”

It’s a game that the Chicago Blackhawks are excited to see develop, starting with DeBrincat’s performance at the Traverse City Prospects tournament.

DeBrincat has been a centerpiece on Chicago’s top line at this tournament. He scored in a 5-0 win against the Detroit Red Wings and came close again when he fired four shots in a 3-2 loss against the St. Louis Blues.

A dynamic offensive force, Debrincat may be the best pure sniper in the Chicago system.

Over the past two seasons he has 205 points (102 goals, 103 assists) in 128 OHL games with the Erie Otters. This past season he had 101 points in 60 games and turned into a star in Erie’s post-Connor McDavid era.

DeBrincat is expected to improve upon those numbers this season. He’s expected to be one of the OHL’s best offensive players, while he’s a virtual lock to be on the American team at the 2017 World Junior Championships.

“We hope we win a championship (in Erie),” DeBrincat said. “We’ve been close the past two years. But haven’t gotten the taste of winning. That’s big and from a personal standpoint, just round out my game. Get all those things that aren’t quite pro ready.”

That list of things that aren’t pro ready is a short one. Yes, he needs to bulk up with his tiny frame. But from a talent and understanding of the game perspective, DeBrincat looks like he could step into an AHL lineup this season.

DeBrincat said he isn’t looking too far ahead right now. His focus in Traverse City is sponging up as much information as possible, whether it’s from Blackhawks coaches, management, or fellow players and using it to better his game in any way possible.

“This is really good for getting back into the swing of things, had my OHL training camp so I had my feet under me (before this tournament),” DeBrincat said. “But here it’s a lot faster game (than OHL training camp) and I think these games are really helping me get used to the speed I’ll have to play in the future.”

Alex DeBrincat continues to quash concerns about his size