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EDINA, Minn. -- George Kittle may have grown up to be a football player, but one could argue hockey helped make him tougher on the frozen ponds in Iowa.
"I was usually the goalie and people would just whip pucks at me," Kittle said Wednesday. "I'm not much of a skater."
Kittle, a tight end for the San Francisco 49ers and a three-time Pro Bowler, was behind the bench as an honorary coach of Team Tradition at Da Beauty League, a 4-on-4 summer hockey league with rosters made up of NHL, American Hockey League and college hockey players from and living in Minnesota.
A longtime hockey fan, Kittle has taken in several Nashville Predators games and one between the Minnesota Wild and Boston Bruins through his connection with former Wild forward Nick Bjugstad , who signed a one-year contract with the Arizona Coyotes on July 13. Bjugstad and Kittle share a physio doctor located in the Twin Cities.
"He came in after me (to the doctor) and said he's a big hockey fan, a big Preds fan, a big hockey guy," Bjugstad said. "We were trying to get him on skates but no go. Too close to (football training) camp.
"I draft [Kittle] every year (in fantasy football), so it's funny meeting him and getting to know him a little bit."
Video: George Kittle drops first puck
Kittle (6-foot-4, 250 pounds) was a fifth-round pick by the 49ers in the 2017 NFL Draft from the University of Iowa. While Iowa produces its fair share of football players, Kittle said he was amazed to see so many Minnesota natives reach the hockey pinnacle.
"I did not realize how many guys are from Minnesota playing in the NHL," Kittle said. "All the guys were great. Met a bunch of awesome players."
Arguably the best tight end in the NFL with an ability to block and receive, is there an NHL future for the 28-year-old?
"I don't know about that," Kittle said. "But I just love it. What a fun sport."
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