Nathan Gerbe heard he was too small to succeed with the United States' under-18 team. He did. Gerbe was told there was no way a Division I college would want him. Boston College, one of the NCAA's elite, gave him a scholarship. Yeah, but there's no way he can make the Eagles soar, Gerbe heard. Three trips to the championship game, with a victory this year, answered that.

Now Gerbe is hearing the professional ranks are no place for a 5-foot-5 forward. Gerbe will soon try to prove those people wrong, too. The 20-year-old signed with the Sabres on May 6.

"I'm ready for any step," Gerbe said. "I've played against my size my whole life, and I know how to play against it now. It's something I don't look at as a negative thing. ...More