I suppose it's possible he was rough around the edges, but he did spend a couple years in the USHL/NAHL and a year in the BCHL. And St. Cloud State is a top program. So, who knows really. He definitely changed his approach, whatever caused it.
So many players put it together later in their careers. I know nothing of this kid, but it will be exciting to follow hom starting in rookie camp and then Traverse.
Also, you need to be able to skate fast. Weight and size are total none factors when you aren’t involved in physical battles. It doesn’t matter if you are 140 or 150 or 170, you won’t win many physical battles against NHL Ds anyway. For these smaller guys weight is an indication that they are fit and can move well, not handle the physical play.
I think there is little or none correlation between size and injuries. Does smaller guys have more injury problems than bigger guys? I would think it’s the other way around. The Lindros bros, Sauer and the likes, they get injury problems. Not guys like Zucc or Johnny H.