Kane is playing alongside captain Jonathan Toews in the top grou

CORAL GABLES, Fla. -- Miami Hurricanes freshman linebacker Shaquille Quarterman sat down at a media day luncheon Monday with a plate of hot food and was greeted by inquisitive strangers.Can you talk and eat at the same time? someone asked.Absolutely, he said brightly.Twenty minutes later, Quarterman was still talking and had yet to touch his lunch, thanks to several waves of media.Only 18, hes a true freshman but a BMOC, a first-team middle linebacker and a cornerstone of new Miami coach Mark Richts restoration project.The Hurricanes believe Quarterman is a throwback to the era when they were winning national championships and sending linebackers to the NFL with regularity. And like those Hurricanes of yesteryear, Quarterman has the gift of gab.You can never be too talkative on defense, he said.Quarterman is making himself heard even though the first class of the fall semester is still two weeks away. It helps that he enrolled last winter, and by the end of spring practice he had climbed to the top of the depth chart.I actually dont feel like a freshman, he said. That can be used as an excuse. I have such responsibility, Im just another Cane. I have to make sure everybody on the defense is in the right place, and I have to relay the calls. If theres a breakdown in communication, its on me.Richt said Quartermans teammates have accepted the notion of a teenager calling the defense.He has great characteristics of a leader, Richt said. He works hard. He studies. He behaves. He does all the things you would want a leader to do, and I think he has gained the respect of our team.Sometimes a freshman can come in and get into a starting role and there might be some resentment, especially if a guy is real cocky or brash or acts like he owns the place.Sometimes its hard to swallow for some of these veterans. But when a guy comes in with a humble spirit, works his tail off and just physically gets the job done, like Shaq did, I think theyre embracing the guy.Quarterman was highly recruited out of Orange Park, Florida, where he made 412 tackles in high school. He might be Miamis most precocious player since quarterback Brad Kaaya, who threw for 3,238 yards as a true freshman in 2014.Kaaya said the 240-pound Quartermans potential was evident on the first play of his first college scrimmage.He broke through and tackled the running back for a 10-yard loss, forced a fumble, and it was a touchdown for the defense, Kaaya said. He came ready to go.The Hurricanes are desperate for playmakers on defense. Last year they gave up 59, 58, 34 and 29 points in their regular-season losses.Quarterman, who grew up a Hurricanes fan, is well aware that wasnt always the norm at Miami. Hes especially fond of the 1986 team with George Mira Jr. at middle linebacker.He was a complete beast, Quarterman said. They were one of the best teams and had an unbelievable defense.That team played a year before Quarterman was born, but he has done his homework. Hes also a fan of more recent Miami linebackers Ray Lewis, Sean Spence and Jon Beason, all of whom reached the NFL.When it comes to Hurricanes history, the chatty youngster knows what hes talking about. Wholesale Shoes China Free Shipping . Brett Kulak and Jackson Houck of the Vancouver Giants were each charged with assault causing bodily harm on Aug. 18, according to the B.C. court services. Discount Shoes Online Free Shipping . "I was fortunate to play many years at this level with a great organization and unbelievable teammates," said Hejduk in a statement. http://www.cheapshoesfastshipping.com/ . On Tuesday, Ottawa placed forward Cory Conacher and defenceman Joe Corvo on waivers as trade rumours swirl around the Senators. Wholesale Cheap Shoes Free Shipping . -- Vincent Lecavalier got everything but the desired result in his return to Tampa Bay. Cheap Shoes Fast Shipping .C. -- Calgarys Kevin Koe did it the hard way again. CHICAGO -- Marian Hossa raced up the ice and headed to the net. Fedor Tyutin jabbed at him with his stick, but it was too late. Hossa shook him off and flicked the puck over Semyon Varlamovs glove.It was vintage Hossa.While the NHL playoffs raged into June, the 37-year-old Hossa found his legs again. The physical winger is off to a solid start for the Chicago Blackhawks, flashing the form that made him one of the leagues best two-way players for most of his distinguished career.So far, I feel pretty good, skating-wise, and also had lots of puck on my stick, Hossa said. So when you play with the puck you get more comfort level and you are making things happen.Like Thursday night, when Hossa played a key role in Chicagos 4-0 win over Colorado. First, he got free for a breakaway and held off Tyutin on the way to his fourth goal of the season at 15:03 of the first.Hossa scored again 55 seconds into the third , taking a stretch pass from defenseman Duncan Keith and shooting over Varlamovs glove for his fourth goal in his last four games.Hes skating well, coach Joel Quenneville said. Hes never really looked like hes slowing down at any time. The finish around the net was nice to see, two outstanding shots.Hossa, who signed a 12-year, $62.8 million contract in July 2009, helped the Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup in 2010, 2013 and 2015. But the years of long playoff runs and Olympic play took a toll.He had just 13 goals and 20 assists in 64 games last season, and Chicago was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs for the first time since 2012.Definitely longer summer helps after such a long time, Hossa said. I think the body needed a little rest.His resurgence has helped Chicago to four straight wins and seven of nine overall, masking some issues with puck possession and turnovers. Thee Blackhawks face a difficult test this weekend when they take on Dallas in a home-and-home set.ddddddddddddHossa has five goals and four assists in 10 games. He didnt score his fifth goal last season until his 24th game.You know sometimes when the puck goes in early for you youre more relaxed, he said. You dont force things, and I think right now thats whats happening.Hossa also has found a home on Chicagos second line, playing alongside center Artem Anisimov and Calder Trophy winner Artemi Panarin. Anisimov, Panarin and Patrick Kane formed one of the NHLs most potent lines last season, but Kane is playing alongside captain Jonathan Toews in the top group at the moment as Quenneville searches for balance in his lineup.Panarin set up Hossas first goal against the Avalanche.Playing with two really good players, you know, try to find an open area and those guys can find you, Hossa said. I think things are clicking, just need to keep working on it.Hossas first multigoal game since Jan. 10, also against Colorado, ran his goal total to 504, passing Peter Bondra for the highest total for a Slovakian-born player. Hossa is 41st on the NHLs career list, just three back of Hall of Fame center Jean Beliveau.Hes got some offensive numbers that really are great to look at, Quenneville said after Hossa scored his 500th goal, which occurred last month against Philadelphia. The best part of his game is the consistency of being a pro, night in and night out, being responsible on both sides of the puck, plays hard every single game and night. Its a good example for our young guys learning how to play the right way.---Jay Cohen can be reached at http://www.twitter.com/jcohenap ' ' '