He's pure Canadian hockey guy — with the "ehs" and the Roots wardrobe to prove it. And he's got an Americanized, Ivy League artiste side too.

TJ Galiardi might have pursued a career in sculpture had the hockey thing not worked out. But a wicked slap shot would pay the bills a lot better, Galiardi realized after a year at Dartmouth.

The Avalanche may be in danger of slipping out of the playoffs, but Galiardi has been one of the team's better players this season. The 21-year-old rookie is playing on the top line, making $588,000 and emerging as a clutch player.