Looks can certainly be deceiving. Listed at 6’5 and 225 pounds, senior Dennis Packard of the Harvard men’s hockey team doesn’t look agile, nor does he look like he’d be suited to the deft, fast-paced game of college hockey. Yet only a glimpse of the winger in action tells an altogether different tale.

Packard is, according to captain Kenny Smith, “a tremendous forward.” His line has garnered 16 points during the Crimson’s current seven-game win streak, and Packard netted himself a plus-five rating during the ECAC playoffs. And, of course, the senior’s empty-net goal sealed Saturday’s 4-2 ECAC championship game for Harvard (18-14-3, 10-10-2 ECAC).

But soft hands aren’t the only weapon in Packard’s arsenal. He has consistently proven himself one of the best defensive forwards in the league, using his tremendous wingspan and impressive footwork to thrive on the backcheck and penalty kill.

“He’s our best defensive forward by far,” declared Harvard coach Mark Mazzoleni.

“He’s able to get back very quickly,” Smith explained, “and then he’s able to get position on guys.

“If [Packard] gets in and covers you and gets his stick on you,” he added with a grin, “there’s not a heck of a lot you can do about it.”

THE INCREDIBLE HULK

Packard is big. Very big.

But, said Crimson goaltender Dov Grumet-Morris, “people overlook the fact that he’s so big yet he’s able to move so well.

“That’s what allows him to get into position to block shots.”

And indeed Packard does.

“He’s got great reach,” said assistant coach Gene Reilly. “He’s a big body, and he’s got courage.

“He’ll go down to block shots. He’ll take that missile in the shoulder or the chest and make that sacrifice for the team.”

Reilly also mentioned that Packard was a skater who had “the will, the desire, the determination to get better.”

Having a mammoth frame doesn’t hurt either, though.