Dan Angell
Quad City Times

When Quad-City Mallards forward Jason Kostadine steps on the ice, his playing style is exactly what most people would expect from the league leader in penalties. He’s focused and aggressive, making it clear he will respond to any nonsense aimed at him.

Off the ice, it’s a different story. Kostadine is as relaxed and fun-loving as anyone, often being one of the first to poke fun at a teammate in the locker room to keep the mood light. It’s a style that has worked well throughout his career and a style that makes him one of the Mallards’ best leaders.

“I try to be intense and serious during the games, but at the same time it is just a game,” Kostadine said. “You do have to have fun with it. I tell a lot of guys that you can’t play hockey uptight, can’t play hockey too amped up. It’s a game of instincts, and if you’re too wound up, you’re not going to play well. I like to call it composed intensity out there.”

That intensity is the main reason why Kostadine is valuable to the Mallards, a team built on skill players that do not take many penalties. The one exception is Kostadine, a career-long tough guy who provides most of his contributions to the Mallards by finding his way to the penalty box, allowing the rest of the team to showcase their skills.

Read more: CLICK HERE