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Patrik Laine's ability to shoot the puck is not just a skill, it's a gift. His unreal release and the way he picks corners or shoots off his body in different places continues to impress his teammates and head coach Paul Maurice, who says he has never seen anyone shoot the puck like the Finnish teen.

Laine has incredible accuracy and has quickly become a well-known power-play threat, whose personality - exemplified in the stick twirl celebration after Winnipeg's third goal in a 4-1 win over the Dallas Stars - earned Twitter praise from fellow countrymen and Jets legend, Teemu Selanne.

Be it the one-timer, wrist or snap shot, this 18-year-old can flat out fire it. He's also developing a reputation in the Winnipeg camp for being a very good passer who sees the ice well and has a knack, which will further develop in time, of finding openings. He may never be explosive, but as he becomes more powerful through maturity, top-end speed is expected to be a key component to his game.

While the majority of NHL coaches have yet to play against Laine and the Jets, those who have studied his play are drawing comparisons to Alex Ovechkin, Ilya Kovalchuk and former great Mike Bossy, who terrorized the NHL in the 70s and 80s with nine consecutive 50-plus goal seasons.

When asked if there is anything unique to Laine's stick or the things he does to enhance his opportunities, Maurice deadpanned, "If I knew I would ask everyone on this team to do it."

Seeing Triple

Brothers on the same hockey team aren’t unusual. Twin brothers are rarer, but far from extraordinary.  However, triplets playing on the same team, and at times the same line, draws attention.

Such is the case for Port Alberni, B.C.’s Fitzgerald brothers, in their third season of NCCA Division I hockey with the Bemidji State Beavers.

Leo, Gerry and Myles are considered late bloomers by hockey's standards. They spent five seasons in the British Columbia Hockey League before Bemidji State made its move by committing to players that Beavers head coach Tom Serratore describes as three “undersized” forwards.

"At 19 years of age they were maturing. They had filled out a little bit, got a little thicker, were still undersized, but we went hard after them,” Serratore said. “We really wanted them because we think they are game changers. Game changers not only as players, they're unbelievable kids...throwback hockey players. It was a situation where they really wanted to play together."

This was a bold move by Bemidji State, but Serratore says his program had the Fitzgeralds on its radar long before they committed.

"It's very uncommon, obviously, to have triplets and to have room with three guys in the same recruiting class in the same position, all forwards, but we just felt in the end they were difference makers in the program,” he said. “It was very important for us to put our best foot forward and get those kids and we were fortunate enough to get them to commit to Bemidji State.

"They all bring a little something different to the table, but they're all, at the end of the day, hockey players, throwbacks...rink rats.  They love the game, they're the first ones on the ice and last ones off and they play the game the way it's supposed to be played...They have a high battle level, they make plays...they're just a lot of fun. They're speed and energy-based guys."

Leo is the biggest of the triplets at 5-foot-9 and 180 pounds. He's described as a north-south winger who provides a physical element, can make plays and has a very good shot.

Gerry is 5-foot-8, 170 pounds and is viewed as a playmaker with above average speed and tremendous release. He too is noted for his shot and is often used for that strength on the Beavers power play.

Myles, according to coach Serratore, brings a combination of his brothers’ styles. He's the smallest at 5-foot-6 and 155 pounds, but loves to battle and brings a ton of energy on the forecheck.

To some degree, the novelty of the Fitzgerald Triplets has worn off on the college scene and they’ve undoubtedly grown tired of answering the questions their story attracts. Serratore says it’s their play that does most of the talking now.

"They draw a lot of attention because they're triplets, but then you see them play. Fans love them. They love watching players who play with passion, a lot of flare and a lot of speed," he said. "You add the element they're triplets and that just makes it more exciting.  No question, they're fan favourites."

Years ago, Leo, Gerry and Myles were most noted for their starring roles in the 1999 film, Baby Geniuses, along with the unfortunate sequel, Superbabies: Baby Geniuses 2 (I kid you not). They were very young at the time, and soon after the acting bug was replaced by a passion for sports.

At 23, pro hockey for the three college juniors might seem like a long shot, but Serratore cautions the naysayers.

"Don't count them out. They've always proved people wrong,” he said. “Because of the rule changes, size isn't as big a factor as it once was. They can skate, make plays, and they compete. They're exciting players, who play the right way.

"They're special kids and they're special players."