How Carolina Hurricanes newcomer Logan Stankoven uses his size to his advantage
The Carolina Hurricanes season, like all seasons, are producing some unforgettable, keepsake moments.
Here’s one: Logan Stankoven being named one of a game’s three stars and going on the ice in a hoodie, black shorts, long socks and sneakers to be recognized.
That was after the Canes had beaten the Washington Capitals, 5-1, at the Lenovo Center. Stankoven scored the fourth goal, but what had Canes fans standing and cheering — during and after the game last week — was the winger they call “Stanky” taking on the Caps’ Tom Wilson.
A melee broke out in the third period and Stankoven was in the middle of it, shoving Wilson after Wilson cross-checked Canes defenseman Sean Walker from behind. Stankoven locked up with Wilson, who at 6 feet, 4 inches and 225 pounds is one the league’s most dreaded bruisers.
Stankoven and Wilson each received 10-minute misconduct penalties and an early exit from the game. Stankoven then changed into workout clothes and watched the game on TV in the locker room before coming out to be feted as the third star.
The confrontation with Wilson and others from that game may be rehashed Thursday before the Canes and Caps go at it again — this time at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. It could again be a chippy, heated affair.
Canes defenseman Jalen Chatfield drew criticism for his fight with the Caps’ Connor McMichael, Chatfield ending it by throwing McMichael — who had lost his helmet — to the ice. That drew the ire of Canes coach Rod Brind’Amour, who said Monday such criticism by some media “morons” was not a “fair characterization” of his player.
Many Canes fans remember former forward Chad LaRose, a feisty type, once going nose-to-navel with towering defenseman Zdeno Chara of the Boston Bruins — LaRose at 5-10 and 180 pounds and Chara 6-9 and 250. That was quite the mismatch.
Stankoven is listed at 5-8 but that’s stretching it a bit. He admits it.
“Off skates, I’m 5-7 and three-quarters,” he said.
Which might be stretching it a bit.
But Stankoven, 22, has never let his lack of size limit him on the ice. He has that hunger to perform and play well, and does it with a degree of fearlessness that Brind’Amour and his teammates appreciate and respect.
“There is no fear,” said winger Seth Jarvis, another smaller guy who should know.
Stankoven’s size ‘advantage’
And size shouldn’t matter that much, not with the NHL game stressing speed and skill. There are ways, Stankoven said, that a lack of size can be a plus for him.
“It would be great to be a few inches taller but I think it’s just the card I’ve been given and what God has given me, so I have to do what I can with my small stature,” Stankoven said. “Being a smaller guy can mean being quicker out of the corners, being more explosive. So there are things I try to use to my advantage.
“I’ve never been told I was too small to play, but I’ve been told I’m going to get pushed around, along those lines, many times. I’ve seen it posted (on social media) as well. But I think everybody has their own opinion. … You don’t have to agree with it, but when people do say that it lights a fire under me for sure.”
The Hurricanes once had forward Nathan Gerbe, whose height was listed at 5-5 much of his career until he said he was 5-4.
“Being 5-4, I know nothing’s going to be easy,” Gerbe said in a 2016 interview. “Every game, every shift I view as basically a tryout, because I know the second I don’t play well it’s easy to shoot me down the lineup and say ‘Oh, he can’t play, he’s too small.’ I view it as a challenge every day and I relish that.
“I know I can inspire a lot of people. Guys before me inspired me and I think that’s something I can do to inspire young kids.”
Now, it’s Stankoven’s turn to be that kind of role model. Since being traded to the Canes in the March 7 deal that sent disgruntled forward Mikko Rantanen to the Stars, he has brought his quickness, his style of aggressive play to the lineup.
“With the group we have here, I love the way we play and the way we practice, with a lot of pace,” he said.
Drafted by the Stars, he said it was difficult at first to fully process the fact he no longer played for the Stars.
“Especially the first few days, not having green on my jersey anymore and not wearing No. 11 anymore,” he said, smiling.
But Stankoven, wearing No. 22 for the Canes, has settled in nicely with his new team as the start of the Stanley Cup playoffs approaches.
“There’s obviously a learning curve for everybody, but I think he’s really adapted and contributed and looks good out there,” Brind’Amour said. “It’s been real positive.”
This story was originally published April 9, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
