Torey Krug’s return home spoiled by one-sided affair

By Alyssa Girardi –

DETROIT — In the days following Christmas 2009, Torey Krug stepped on Joe Louis Arena ice in a Michigan State sweater for the first time. That weekend, the Spartans left Detroit with two wins under their belt and the Great Lakes Invitational trophy held high above their heads.

On Wednesday night, about four years later, Krug returned to Hockeytown, this time donning a Boston Bruins jersey.

Following the game against the Detroit Red Wings, he headed toward a flood of Bruins jerseys made up of excited family and friends, but his homecoming had a thorn in its side — a 6-1 loss to the home team.

“Well after that result, it sucked,” said Krug. “No, it was fine. It’s always a fun building to play in. Terrible result, but it was fun.”

Wednesday was the rookie’s first NHL regular season game in Detroit — only about 20 minutes from his hometown of Livonia, Mich. — and he said more than 30 family members and friends came down to see him play.

Throughout the sea of red in the stands, clusters of black “Krug 47” jerseys popped out.

“It’s always fun playing in front of friends and family but at the end of the day, it’s just another hockey game,” Krug said. “It’s one out of 82 during the year for us. You just gotta show up and play your game but it didn’t happen.”

Krug, a defenseman, played at MSU from 2009-2012 before signing a contract with the Bruins following his junior season. At MSU, he quickly worked his way up the ranks with his offensive style of play and was named captain of the squad as a sophomore.

Following his final Spartan season, Krug was named CCHA Player of the Year and was a Hobey Baker Memorial Award nominee, presented to the top NCAA men’s ice hockey player.

After spending much of the 2012-13 season with the Providence Bruins, Boston’s AHL affiliate, Krug was called up for an NHL playoffs series against the New York Rangers.

He scored his first NHL goal during his first NHL playoff game.

He scored his second NHL goal in his second NHL playoff game.

And the goals just kept coming.

By the time Boston completed its five-game series win, Krug had notched two more goals and he became the first NHL rookie defenseman to score four goals in his first five playoff matches.

Since then, Krug has earned himself a regular spot in the Bruins lineup, averaging 17:33 on ice per game. In Wednesday’s loss, he put in 17:22 across 20 shifts, including 3:14 on the power play.

Krug also has established himself as an early favorite for the Calder Memorial Trophy, awarded to the league’s top rookie. He currently is second among rookies in points (15) and goals (8), behind San Jose forward Tomas Hertl in both categories (12-6—18).

His return to Metro Detroit wasn’t the result he was hoping to find, but as Krug headed over to the throngs of Bruins jerseys outside the locker room, there were only a few quick minutes for hugs and hello’s.

“We jet right back out to Boston.”