THE TUSLER REPORT

About that first name: His mother, Brandi, liked "Gladiator," a 1992 movie in which co-star James Marshall plays a character originally from Bridgeport, Conn., and gets referred to by his former city's name.

"When I was 7 or 8 I'd get into little arguments with my mom, slam my door and yell, 'I hate my name!'" Tusler said. "We can joke about it because I love the name now." Osseo football coach Derrin Lamker calls him Bridgey. Friends call him Bridge, B, Port or B-Port.

Hockey's next comedian? Tusler started in baseball and soccer but traded the latter for basketball in fourth grade. He left baseball in ninth grade because of an injury. His tried tennis for one day as a sophomore but decided to spend more time in the weight room. Hockey is his secret love. "I had all the street hockey gear -- my own net, the goalie gear, a helmet with flames. We'll play floor hockey at school and everyone's like, 'You like hockey?' I joke around and tell them I'm bringing color to the sport."

On leading through action rather than words: "I have bad luck. I might tell people, 'Hold onto the ball more,' and I'll go out and fumble three times."

On the Osseo-Maple Grove rivalry: "There are actually three Maple Grove guys I can call and we can hang out tonight. I can hug their parents. They might hate Osseo but they don't hate me."

On his smart, precocious 9-year-old brother, Josiah: "I don't talk about the presidential debates. This kid will talk about the debates like he's part of them."

David La Vaque