Robbie Earl is hot. Eight games into the season, Earl, a sophomore forward on the Wisconsin men's hockey team, has been cooling off opponents this year, and is tied for the team lead with 12 points. He has helped his team skate to a 3-3-0 record in Western Collegiate Hockey Association conference play, a 5-3-0 overall record and the No. 6 ranking. This weekend, he hopes to continue his hot streak when the Badgers take on No. 5 North Dakota in a heated rivalry battle.
\Yeah, it's big,"" said Earl, referring to the rivalry. ""And for myself this weekend, I need to produce like I have.""
If Earl performs like he did last year against North Dakota, his production should not be a problem. In February of last season, Earl fired a hat trick against the Fighting Sioux, including the game-winning overtime goal. His goals in the second, third and overtime periods were the primary reason Wisconsin came back from a 3-0 deficit to melt away a victory for then-No. 1 North Dakota.
His hat trick treated the Kohl Center to its first three-goal individual performance since it opened in 1998, and Earl was shown on ESPN's SportsCenter. He finished his freshman year as a member of the All-WCHA Rookie Team, leading Wisconsin freshmen with 27 points.
Wisconsin Head Coach Mike Eaves is not surprised by Earl's early success in his career because of his talent.
""His best athletic trait is his explosiveness. He is so dynamic,"" Eaves said. ""He makes people slide to the edges of their seats because they know that something neat could happen.""
Eaves was able to watch Earl even earlier in his career when the two met four-and-a-half years ago at a select camp at St. Cloud State. They later reconnected in Ann Arbor, Mich., when Eaves coached Earl as a member of the national developmental team and watched Earl grow both physically and mentally.
""Physically, he's grown. Pound for pound, he's probably the most powerful guy on our team. He's like a power forward, or he could play like a skilled guy, and he's learning to play both,"" Eaves said. ""On a mature level ... he is learning to take care of business and stay on top of school.""
Earl's schooling began in sunny Los Angeles where he grew up. However, much of his family is from Quebec City-the city where he obtained his love of hockey. His love of the sport has channeled into his work ethic and his teammates are appreciative of his dedication and ability.
""He's a game-breaker. When he gets the puck, you know something exciting is going to happen,"" junior captain and forward Adam Burish said. ""He's got that natural ability that you can't teach on the ice ... that makes him a special player.""
Also making Earl a ""special"" player is his selflessness. Last season, he was about even with 14 goals and 13 assists. This year, he has three goals along with nine assists.
Earl said he wants to help out the team first and foremost. Though he sets individual goals relating to how much he wants to score in a year, he said he does not ""really care which way the points go.""
Eaves has noticed Earl's demeanor and is impressed with his attitude.
""As a person, I think he is a very sincere young man,"" Eaves said. ""He is a man of his word.""
""I don't want to jinx myself,"" Earl said when asked how he expects to perform this weekend. ""But definitely something pretty hot.""
