Teenagers transcending relative inexperience

0 Comments | USA TODAY, October, 2007 | by Kevin Allen

Over 20 is over the hill on the Chicago Blackhawks as teenagers Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews help re-energize the team with their points and panache.

"The excitement has been phenomenal," said Chicago general manager Dale Tallon. "The real positive thing for us is that kids watching games can identify with these kids. They can say, 'These guys aren't any older or bigger than I am.'"

The parade of teenagers isn't exclusive to Chicago. There are 14 teenagers on NHL rosters, including second-year Pittsburgh Penguins center Jordan Staal, already a star at 19. That doesn't include the Ottawa Senators' Nick Foligno, who turns 20 today.

In Edmonton, Sam Gagner, 18, is fourth on the Oilers in scoring. In Atlanta, Bryan Little, 19, at plus 3, is the only...