After an MSU hockey win in January, a team of youth hockey players, no older than 13, huddled together outside of the Munn Ice Arena locker room area in hopes of getting autographs from some of their favorite Spartans players.
As a player passed through the team, one of the kids politely asked which player he was before signing his name across some souvenir memorabilia.
The player smiled and answered, "Bryan Lerg." He was met with the excited reply, "Oh, the goalie's cousin."
Here was Bryan Lerg, who's been with MSU for a year and a half — currently second on the team in scoring — being overshadowed by his cousin, freshman goaltender Jeff Lerg. He has been the catalyst behind MSU's second-half surge to the CCHA playoff championship and No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
The incident is only one example of how Jeff Lerg is connecting to young Spartans hockey fans.
Following home games, the Livonia native is met with fans seeking autographs, pictures — any kind of inside glimpse of the 5-foot-6 netminder who's shown the nation that size isn't everything.
And Jeff Lerg, with a smile on his face, grants every fan's wishes.
"He idols you in every way," one mother said to Jeff Lerg while taking a picture of the Spartan and her preteen son.
In retrospect, Jeff Lerg's journey to starting goaltender has been quite the story.
Coming into the program, he was slated to be the backup to junior Dominic Vicari. Jeff Lerg has battled asthma his entire life and has to use a breathing machine daily just to be able to play hockey.
Who would've thought at this point in the season, Jeff Lerg would be the starting goaltender for the Green and White?
Jeff Lerg did.
"I do have high expectations for myself. I always want to be the best," he said. "I expect myself to excel."
But this goaltender, who idolizes former MSU great Ryan Miller between the pipes, has gone beyond excelling this season.
His work ethic in practice — which has been praised by his coaches and teammates — has launched him into the campus spotlight as the face and future of Spartan hockey in years to come.
Head coach Rick Comley said that he's never met a player — in any class — who has the focus on preparation prior to each game as Jeff Lerg does.
Before games, he'll be out in the hallway with a tennis ball throwing it against the wall and tuning up his reflexes.
During games, he'll stop shots, getting down low to see through screens on the long shots, and use his quickness to block point-blank chances.
Even when his team is possessing the puck in the opposition's zone, fans will see Jeff Lerg doing mental exercises to stay focused. He'll skate out of his net to the top of the crease and stop with his body in position, looking to face an imaginary shooter. And before a new period starts, you'll occasionally see him swinging on the goal.
Jeff Lerg is never the biggest player on the ice, but the message he sends to the other team is far from diminutive.
The No. 1 he wears on the back of his jersey might as well stand for his importance to the team and the MVP honor he earned in the CCHA playoffs. Jeff Lerg also walked away with the Rookie of the Year award at the annual CCHA Awards.
"You've got to take the credentials when you have them," Jeff Lerg modestly said.
For Jeff Lerg though, the credentials and accolades won't be disappearing anytime soon.
Eric Fish is the State News hockey reporter. Reach him at fisheric@msu.edu.
