Andrew Kruse

U.S. Air Force Academy – (U.S. Air Force photo/Trevor Cokley)

Photo by: U.S. Air Force photo / Trevor Co

Height:
6-0
Class:
Senior
Hometown:
Delano, Minn.
Position:
D

2021-22 (Junior): Played in 23 games, 19 on defense and four at right wing … Was the co-recipient of the Jim Bowman Scholar Athlete Award … Also the co-recipient of the Most Improved Player Award … Blocked 11 shots on the season … Named to the AHA all-academic team … Named to the AHCA Scholar-Athlete team.

2020-21 (Sophomore): Played in four games and had three shots on goal … A defenseman, he played all four games at right wing due to injuries throughout the season … Atlantic Hockey all-academic team.

2019-20 (Freshman): Played in 18 games and had three points (1-2-3) … +6 tied for second best on the team … First career point was an assist in the win over Sacred Heart, Nov. 2 ... First career goal came in the win over Holy Cross, Dec. 6.

Before Air Force: Played 111 regular-season games of junior hockey over two seasons with the Minnesota Magicians of the NAHL ... In 2017-18, played in 53 games and had 11 points (2-9-11) ... In 2018-19, played in 58 games and was the team's top scoring defenseman with 41 points, tied for third overall, (7-34-41) ... Second on the team in assists … One short-handed goal and one game-winner … Had three assists in seven playoff games … Named to the 2018-2019 NAHL All-Midwest Division Team … Assistant captain.

Personal: Member of cadet squadron 14 … Son of Jim and Carol Kruse … Has five siblings … Major is economics … Long term goal is to go to graduate school and work in the financial management career field … Is the assistant support flight in his squadron … This past summer, was the deputy commander during sports camps … On the Superintendent’s List (excellence in academics, military and athletics) in the spring of 2020 … On the Dean’s List as a sophomore … Favorite athlete to follow is Tom Brady … Three people he would like to have dinner with are Gordie Howe, his grandfather, and Tom Brady … Best advice he has received is “Control what you can control!” … Pregame rituals are he tries to stay away from rituals … Greatest team moment is winning section 2A his senior year of high school … Favorite sport other than hockey is baseball … Biggest influence on his career are his friends he played with at Delano H.S. … Hobbies are spending time with family and friends, all sports, and business … Favorite NHL team and player are Minnesota Wild and Ryan Suter.

Kruse’s Career Stats
Year        GP     G      A      PTS     PIM      SOG    PP      SH      GW
2019-20 18     1      2       3         5-10      12        0         0         0
2020-21 4       0      0       0         0-0        3          0         0         0
2021-22 23     1      0       1         0-0        20        0         0         0
Career     45     2      2       4         5-10      35        0         0         0