UNIVERSITY PLACE, Wash. — All that separated Tom Hoge and Josh Persons growing up was five years and a few miles, which wouldn't be so odd if their hometown was Dallas or Los Angeles or somewhere in Florida.
It's downright bizarre when you consider the pair of U.S. Open rookies are from Fargo.
As in, North Dakota.
As in, BRRR!
"You might think for hockey, maybe two guys would be playing each other for the Stanley Cup," Hoge said, standing on the sun-splashed practice range at Chambers Bay before his final warmup round.