Welcome to a new article series here at MHH: Checking Out. The articles will feature different players, taking a look at their careers and what got them to where they are today. Generally, I will pick a player of recent buzz, just to keep things current. Our inaugural player is, of course, Johnny Hot Pocket. And yes, the name of the series is intentional…like you would expect anything else from me.

John-Michael Liles has had an incredible start to this season. His name is already being thrown in the mix of top candidates for the Norris Trophy, and rightly so. He’s currently boasting 23-points (4 G, 19 A), placing him 2nd among defensemen and 26th for all players—ahead of such names as Bobby Ryan (22 pts), Henrik Zetterberg (20 pts) and Niklas Lidstrom (20 pts). He is on pace to obliterate his career-average point production of 36 per regular season, as well as his most successful campaign to date of 49 points during 2004-2005. Last year, he put up 31 points in 59 games; at this pace, he should match that in half the time.


http://www.milehighhockey.com/2010/1...-michael-liles