TROY LOGGINS
Position: Forward, Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL)
Hometown: Huntington Beach
Last Amateur Team: Northern Michigan University (WCHA, NCAA D-I)
Youth Teams: Anaheim Jr. Ducks, LA Hockey Club/Selects, California Wave

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Troy Loggins’ persistence is paying off.

He played through Midgets in California, then capped his two-year junior career with a Clark Cup and playoff MVP honors. A major injury robbed him of more than half of his freshman season of college, but he made up for lost time during his last two seasons – scoring 87 points, including 46 goals, in 82 games.

Loggins is a two-time California Rubber Magazine NCAA Men’s Player of the Year and was the WCHA’s Offensive Player of the Year, and he signed a three-year contract with Grand Rapids of the American Hockey League after Northern Michigan’s season finished. He played four games with the Griffins before returning to school for finals.

California Rubber: When a college free agent is facing a decision where to sign a pro contract, what types of things factor into that?

Troy Loggins: Opportunity is a big one. Where do you think you’re going to have best opportunity to play and move up to the next level? Who’s interested? Money’s a factor as well. For me, it was just knowing who I’m signing with and the interest they’ve had for the past year-plus.

CR: What was your favorite hockey memory growing up?

TL: When we were younger, we (LA Hockey Club) went to USA Hockey Nationals (in 2010 at Bantam AA) and took second place. That was a highlight for me.

CR: What is your favorite memory in the game since leaving California?

TL: Definitely winning the USHL Clark Cup championship (with the Sioux Falls Stampede) and obviously, signing with Grand Rapids as well. In the Clark Cup run, my whole line had an unreal playoffs.

CR: Who have been the biggest influences on you, on and off the ice?

TL: My biggest influences are my parents (Phil and Kim). They’ve been really supportive, always letting me make my own decisions where to play. It was an interesting path, and we went with whatever came.

CR: What advice do you have for young hockey players?

TL: Show up to the rink every day ready to work and try to be the best player on the ice every day. If you can do that, you can move up through the levels. It’s all about putting in the dedicated time.

CR: Other than hockey, do you have a favorite sport to play?

TL: Roller hockey. I do a little bit of surfing since I’m from a beach city. On weekends, we didn’t have games growing up, in the morning, we’d be surfing. That was my hobby. When I go back, I still go from time to time.

CR: Are there are any pieces of gear you’re particular about?

TL: I’m pretty picky about my sticks. They have to have the right curve, flex and grip, that kind of stuff. Gear-wise, I like to have new gloves a lot. I don’t like having old gloves. Everything else, I’m pretty normal. Everything I use is CCM because that’s what we got in college and now we have that in the AHL. I’m always trying new stuff.

CR: Given your goal-scoring prowess, how many sticks would you use in a typical season?

TL: If our college season was 40 games, I’d say 20-plus sticks a year break. I shoot the puck a lot. I always have three on my rack, maybe four. When one breaks, I’ll grab a new one and only use that for games.

CR: When you’re back in California, do you have a favorite meal or restaurant?

TL: This place called Mahe has great sushi. My parents and neighbors will have a big dinner there when I get back or before I leave.

CR: Did you have a favorite player growing up?

TL: Patrick Kane. He’s another little lefty. The stuff he can do with the puck is pretty special. I was always out in the driveway trying to copy his moves.

CR: If you weren’t playing pro hockey, what do you think you’d be doing?

TL: That’s a tough one. I’d probably be working an average job, using my economics degree. Just living in California, going surfing with my friends. It’s hard to see life without hockey because I’ve been doing it since I was 5.

Photo/Northern Michigan Athletics

– Compiled by Chris Bayee

(July 10, 2019)