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  Position: Left Wing
Shoots: Left
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 202
Birth Date: 3-25-70
Place of Birth: Merritt, British Columbia
Jersey Number: 24
Compensation: $570,000


The Finesse Game
Kruse is a prime example of a player who, with natural skating ability and a willingness to work and listen to his coaches, has developed an NHL career with just a modicum of skills. Kruse spent considerable time in the minors to work on his defensive game. He has become a player who won't make the big mistake. He will make the short outlet pass, or chip a puck off the boards if that is the safest play. He doesn't seek headlines, just playing time. He understands defensive zone coverage and how to position himself for the outlet pass. He is fundamentally sound and gaining more confidence with increased playing time. Kruse is fast in the flat and quick in the corners. A solid skater, he gets good leg drive to work the boards. He does not have great hands, and doesn't handle the puck well when moving, but is smart enough to know his limitations and doesn't try to do too much. Kruse's scoring chances come off forced turnovers and work around the net.

The Physical Game
Kruse is an agitator. Solid and sturdy, with a little mean streak, the rugged Kruse gets involved and is a player who has opponents looking over their shoulders. He has piled up the penalty minutes wherever he has played, so he has to learn to pick his spots. He is not a legitimate NHL heavyweight, but he will go toe-to-toe with the game's other big men and always acquits himself well. His abdominal injury in February affected his last half of the season.

The Intangibles
Kruse's lack of production will keep him on the bench or on the bubble. He brings a lot of enthusiasm to the ice. He also has to bring some points.


Season Team/League GP G A TP PIM +/- PP SH GW GT Shots Pct
1988-89 KAML/WHL 68 8 15 23 209 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00
1989-90 KAML/WHL 67 22 23 45 291 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00
1990-91 CALG/NHL 1 0 0 0 7 -1 0 0 0 0 0 0.00
1990-91 SALT/IHL 83 24 20 44 313 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00
1991-92 CALG/NHL 16 3 1 4 65 1 0 0 0 0 12 25.00
1991-92 SALT/IHL 57 14 15 29 267 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00
1992-93 CALG/NHL 27 2 3 5 41 2 0 0 0 0 17 11.76
1992-93 SALT/IHL 35 1 4 5 206 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00
1993-94 CALG/NHL 68 3 8 11 185 -6 0 0 0 0 52 5.77
1994-95 CALG/NHL 45 11 5 16 141 13 0 0 2 0 52 21.15
1995-96 CALG/NHL 75 3 12 15 145 -5 0 0 0 0 83 3.61
1996-97 CALG/NHL 14 2 0 2 30 -4 0 0 1 0 10 20.00
1996-97 NYIS/NHL 48 4 2 6 111 -5 0 0 0 0 39 10.26
1997-98 BUFF/NHL 12 1 1 2 49 1 0 0 0 0 8 12.50
1997-98 NYIS/NHL 62 6 1 7 138 -12 0 0 2 1 44 13.64
1998-99 BUFF/NHL 43 3 0 3 114 0 0 0 0 0 33 9.09
NHL TOT 411 38 33 71 1026 -16 0 0 5 1 350