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Photo by Rena Laverty
Jacob Tortora has heard it too many times throughout his career: You’re too small to play hockey.
Now Tortora, a 5-foot-6, 151-pound forward for the U.S. National Under-17 Team, has good evidence to show those people why they’re wrong: 5-foot-9, 157-pound Calgary Flames forward Johnny Gaudreau.
“I used to watch Gaudreau a lot,” Tortora said. “He’s an unreal player. He’s shifty and fast. He’s a great player.”
Long a fan of Gaudreau’s play, Tortora, a Victor, New York, native, plans to follow Gaudreau’s example and play college hockey at Boston College.
“The coaches are great there,” Tortora said. “I grew up watching them as a kid, and they have a history with small guys. I can’t wait to go there and keep going on with that history.”
In the meantime, Tortora is focused on his work with the National Team Development Program, where he has 11 goals and 19 points in 26 games this season.
“I have more speed than guys out there,” he said. “I use that to my advantage. Plus, I have shiftiness in my game.”
Even though he’s quickly made a mark offensively, Tortora is also proud of his growth on the defensive side.
“I really didn’t realize how important defensive play was, but coach [Don] Granato has helped me a lot, and I think I’m getting better,” he said. “Assistant coach [Greg] Moore gave me a worksheet for all the things I have to do. I go over it every night so I know what I have to do before games.”
Tortora also credits watching video as another reason for his fast start.
“We watch a lot of video. We watch NHL clips, the 97s and stuff from the Chicago Blackhawks,” he said. “We see what the pros are doing and what is helping them and what is not helping them. We learn off of what they are doing and see what is making it easy for them.”
Tortora made things look easy in the opening game of the U17 Four Nations Tournament last month in Slovakia when he scored the overtime game-winner in a 5-4 win against Russia.
“Before that I got a penalty and I was in the box, I just went out on the ice and found an opening, and [Grant] Mismash passed the puck to me,” he recalled. “I shot it under the guy’s arm. It was a great feeling. I didn’t believe it at first. Everyone was tackling me. That was probably my most memorable moment scoring that goal.”
The U17 squad ended up finishing third, but it was an experience Tortora believes the team can grow from, especially with the Five Nations Tournament coming to USA Hockey Arena next month.
“We didn’t get the win, but I think we can look back at it and keep moving forward and keep working and bring it to the Five Nations here,” he said. “It will be good to have the tournament here, and our fans will get to watch us play. We will get to eat our own food and be able to stay at home.”
Hockey has been part of Tortora’s life since he was 3 years old.
“My neighbors were playing hockey for the local high school hockey team and I always went to their games,” he said. “We used to play street hockey all the time.
“It was fun and I liked the competitiveness. I liked the speed and the hitting.”
Now, Tortora is playing alongside some of the best players in the country at the NTDP.
“There is a lot of history with this team and NHL draft picks with top-end guys,” he said. “I knew this was the place to play.”
Story from Red Line Editorial, Inc.
Photo by Rena Laverty
Favorite NHL Team
Pittsburgh Penguins
Favorite U.S. Player
Patrick Kane
Favorite Video Game
NHL 15
Favorite Movie
Miracle
Favorite Actor
Will Ferrell
Favorite Actress
Cameron Diaz
Favorite Pump-Up Song
"Thunderstruck" by AC/DC
Favorite Home-Cooked Meal
Steak