Hjelle living between the pipes this winter

CEDAR RAPIDS - Brady Hjelle was one of the last Cedar Rapids RoughRiders off the ice after practice Wednesday. Kind of figures.

The 20-year-old from International Falls, Minn., has played more than any goaltender in the United States Hockey League this season, taking a 38-second lead over Chicago‘s Connor Wilson with a three-games-in-three-days stint last weekend.

Hjelle has spent 2,251 minutes and 56 seconds between the pipes. He has played in 37 of 42 games, starting nine in a row and 22 of 23.

Iron man doesn't even begin to describe Hjelle.

“The only thing I can say is it's fun,” he said. “I love to play. That's what we work for all week. Playing in the games is reward for practicing (hard) all week.”

All this playing time wasn't the plan. The RoughRiders also had returnee Cody Campbell, but he got into Coach Mark Carlson‘s doghouse during training camp and ended up leaving the team for Niagara University before Christmas.

With no experience behind him, Hjelle has carried the load in net and then some. Not once has he begged for a game off, despite a monthlong battle with a sinus infection.

Hjelle spent the 2007-08 season with the RoughRiders, then played at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. He's back in town while serving a transfer year and will play at Ohio State next season.

“I mean, I was on the bench my whole freshman year,” Hjelle said of his season in Duluth. ”So every time I'm on the bench (now), I just feel like I want to get right back in the net. All I want to do is be in the net. I want to take advantage of every game I get.”

Carlson bristled when asked if he worries about Hjelle wearing down.

“I'm not concerned. I have zero concern about anything. Why would we have any?” he said. “He's 20 years old, had two years of Division I college hockey. He should be able to play 90 games.”

That won't happen because it's only a 60-game regular season, with playoffs following. But 50 regular-season games certainly isn't out of the question.

Considering his USHL-best 26 wins and five shutouts, not to mention a sparkling .922 save percentage and 2.21 goals against average, why shouldn't it continue to be Peanut Butter Hjelle Time?

“I think it's all pretty simple. Just stick to your routine,” Hjelle said.