Elson displays the kind of positional versatility that enables him to play either wing or center on any line.
thousand squats every day.” Days turned into weeks and no answers were forthcoming. Guillain–Barré syndrome, a rapid-onset muscle weakness caused by the immune system, seemed a strong possibility but was quickly ruled out. “They did so many tests… some of them scary like Multiple Sclerosis and AIDS. Nothing came back,” he said. Doctors wondered if Elson’s condition might have been similar to a condition experienced by marathon runners, but they were never able to pinpoint the cause. “It was a scary time,” he said. “I had never felt that way or heard of anyone in hockey who had experienced something like that, so I was happy that I got out of the whole experience without any lasting effects.” When Elson came back for the 2018-19 season, he was eager to erase any doubts about his hockey future. He proceeded to post careerbest totals for goals (18), assists (21) and points (39). As usual, he was exceeding everyone’s expectations but his own. “I knew I had to make an impact if I wanted to stay here,” he said. “Of course, you want to 38 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS
make an impact every year. I was fortunate to play with [Chris] Terry and [Matt] Puempel, which meant I got the opportunity to play with the team’s top unit on the power play – guys who knew how to score.” His totals during his third season reverted to numbers almost identical to those from his first year in Grand Rapids, but then the quality of his play has never been judged by numbers alone. “I think my game starts in the defensive zone,” he said. “I’m that defensive forward who has a little bit of offensive upside where I can help put pucks in the net or help my linemates to score. I’m not all about offense. “I start my play in the d-zone and then work my way up the ice. I think my role over time has developed where I am seen as defense first, offense next.” Playing good hockey is not all about points. “It’s blocking a shot or getting the puck out of the zone at a crucial time,” said Elson, who views Grand Rapids product Luke Glendening as the type of player he aspires to be. “There are lots of things that factor into a game that the average person might not notice – it’s not all
