A member of the CCHA All-Rookie Team in the 2009-10 season, Michigan State defenseman Torey Krug has picked up right where he left off on the Spartan blue line. The sophomore captain led all CCHA rookie defensemen in scoring, with three goals and 18 assists in his inaugural season in East Lansing. To date, he is third on the team with 15 points.

Expect Krug to be Michigan State coach Rick Comley's defensive workhorse in this upcoming weekend's home-and-home series with Michigan. He'll undoubtedly be matched up against the Wolverines' top two lines all night long.

In an e-mail interview with The Michigan Daily this past week, Krug responded to questions about the Michigan-Michigan State rivalry and what it's like leading the Spartans' defensive corps.

The Michigan Daily: Last year you played on the top-defensive pairing with then-junior Jeff Petry, arguably one of the best defenseman to come through the CCHA in the past few years. Granted, you only played with him for a year. But in that time, what did you learn from him both on and off the ice?

Torey Krug: Jeff and I became best friends as soon as I stepped on campus. Off the ice, he showed me the ins and outs of campus and gave me some advice on managing time between school and hockey. On the ice, we were something special. He made me a better player and I learned how to become a reliable defenseman in every stage of a game for my team. He taught me how to be in control in pressure situations.

TMD: Is there any disadvantage to being named a team captain as a sophomore, like in your case? How has the learning curve been for you, having to go from an 18-year-old freshman to becoming the leader of the Spartans?

TK: I think some people may believe there is a disadvantage for being named captain as a sophomore. On the other hand, I have fully embraced the role and am very thankful for the position I am in. I have learned a lot so far and I plan on learning for the rest of my career. The learning curve is difficult, but I enjoy it. Originally, I struggled by taking too much blame for a team loss, and I would get stressed out, which ultimately affected my individual play. That is one thing I have adjusted to and am thankful for learning so early.

TMD: Michigan State lost a lot of scoring and experience last year, with the early departures of forwards Corey Tropp and Andrew Rowe and defenseman Jeff Petry. How did you approach the 2010-11 season, knowing that this could arguably be a rebuilding year for the team?

TK: As a team, we have never looked at this season as a rebuilding year. We started the season with the same goal as every other team around the country: win a national championship. The only thing that was different in our approach was figuring out who was going to step up for us. Leaders of the team needed to step up and take control and we knew this going in.

TMD: Can you describe the Michigan-Michigan State rivalry? What's it like coming into Yost Ice Arena as an opposing player?

TK: The Michigan-Michigan State rivalry is one like no other. It is too difficult to put into words, but anyone who has witnessed it understands how special it is and all the tradition that comes with it. There is just something about the other colors that really gets a guy going, and the rivalry becomes a lifestyle. Coming into Yost as an opposing player is very exciting. To have an opportunity to quiet the most fierce crowd in college hockey is unbelievable.

TMD: What was that feeling like last year when you guys did come away with a 3-2 win in your first game at Yost?

TK: The feeling was unbelievable stepping off the ice after the victory last year at Yost. Not only did we beat our rival in their arena, but it completed a weekend sweep that is rare in our rivalry. Players on our team will remember that weekend for the rest of our lives – that’s how special it is.

TMD: You’re only 5-foot-9, 175 pounds, and maybe a little undersized for a defenseman at the collegiate level. How do you play the game differently than maybe a defenseman who is 6-foot-2?

TK: Being on the smaller side, I have to earn everything I get in hockey. I have to earn a spot on the ice, the ice time and the respect of my team and the opponent.