On Feb. 1st 2019 the Carolina Hurricanes were protecting a two-goal lead against Vegas when in the closing minutes, Brock McGinn used his body to stop a Shea Theodore slapshot. His heroics were soon forgotten.

That block led to Justin Faulk scoring on the empty net, and just like that Brock McGinn‘s heroics were forgotten. It was a typical play by a player whose impact does not always show up on the score sheet – but one would struggle to find a Carolina Hurricanes win where McGinn did not have an impact.

While McGinn’s numbers for the year are a rather pedestrian 6 goals and 13 assists, which is one assist off his career high, his impact is felt across 200 feet of the ice. Playing a rather compact 14:29 seconds a night often in a 3rd or 4th line role, McGinn has registered 94 hits and 24 blocks and could be considered the team’s unsung hero due to his unselfish play.

.@BrockMcGinn21 lays down the hammer in tonight's Storm Surge! pic.twitter.com/dbABEboYXP — Carolina Hurricanes (@NHLCanes) January 5, 2019

To judge McGinn solely on his numbers is unfair and does a disservice to him as a hockey player. McGinn provides the proper mix of hustle and sandpaper that teams desire in third and fourth line players. Never one to be afraid to go into the dirty areas to get the puck, or shy away from contact, he often plays above his 6’0″ 187 pound stature. His tenacity and willingness to stick any part of his body in front of the puck has provided Coach Rod Brind’Amour with the faith needed to send him over the boards when the team is shorthanded. That faith has been rewarded with a career high +7 and 1 shorthanded goal for the team.

It is a known fact that if hitting the crossbar on shots counted for points, McGinn would probably already be chasing Wayne Gretzky’s records. One cannot deny that this fiery kid from Fergus, Ontario will be an essential piece if the team plans to make a late season run for the playoffs.

Brock McGinn is a vastly under-rated player for the Carolina Hurricanes. He is tenacious, completely selfless, and chips in with enough offense to get you excited when he gets on the ice. It is players like this that fans love, and it is players like this that will put in that extra effort needed to get the Carolina Hurricanes over the line and into the playoffs.