A different prep sport

CEDAR RAPIDS - Hockey is a sport that is extremely popular in northern states like Minnesota and Wisconsin, but in Iowa, it still finds a way to fly under the radar.

For Cedar Rapids Xavier seniors Jordan Even and Edward Krouse, however, hockey is the best sport to play no matter where they reside.

Even's journey started at the age of 3 when he traveled with his cousin, who, at the time, played for a semipro hockey team. Even now plays for the high school RoughRiders, making a large time commitment outside of school to practice his craft.

'We usually practice Monday through Thursday from 7:30 to 10 p.m.,” Even said.

A typical practice consists of an hour-and-a-half of off ice workouts followed by an hour of on-ice training.

Krouse has been playing since he was 4-years-old and see hockey has as more of a social sport and a fun way to spend time with his brother and friends. Unlike in the United States, hockey is a huge sport in Canada, so being of Canadian lineage, Krouse always felt ties to the sport he enjoys playing so much.

Unlike Krouse, Even loves the competition hockey provides.

'My favorite part of hockey is the speed of it,” Even said. 'The adrenaline rush you get on the ice is unreal.”

Hockey is a sport with rapidly growing popularity in the states, and these two athletes are ahead of the curve.