How Pittsburgh's hard-to-play-against style forward turned him into a Penguins success story

Connor Dewar grew up in The Pas, Manitoba, a town so small it didn't even have an indoor summer ice rink. With less than 6,000 people, Dewar is just the third player ever to make the NHL from there.

Long winter nights and backyard rinks have turned him into a gritty, relentless forward, the kind who earns every stride.

His toughness now plays an important role for the Penguins. Dewar began the season as part of a surprisingly strong fourth line and quickly became a permanent fixture on a penalty kill that ranks near the top of the league.

As injuries mounted, Dewar even earned a promotion to the top line next to the great Sidney Crosby and Bryan Rust. Offensively, Dewar can chip in, with seven points so far this season, but he does most of his damage in the hard areas of the ice.

He leads the team with 43 hits and has drawn 17 penalty minutes while taking just four of his own, a sign that he creates a lot of pressure.

Minnesota drafted him in 2018, and Dewar learned early that to stay in the NHL, he needed to be great at something.

He found his calling killing penalties, and he's remained one of the best players in that role with Pittsburgh.

After midseason trades in consecutive years, first to the Toronto Maple Leafs and then to Pittsburgh, he's settled into a more productive, consistent stretch, where he's contributed offensively while still being a defensive presence.

Dewar remains close to The Pas and even just recently started a hockey camp there. He may be playing in cities now that are several thousand times the size of his hometown, but the way he plays still reflects where he came from. Dewar is simple, tough, and driven.