GIF: Boone Jenner really, really loves his stick

For a forward who plays the game of hockey with snarl to spare, heavy-hitting Columbus Blue Jackets rookie Boone Jenner is an affectionate hockey stick owner. Perhaps maybe a little bit too affectionate.

On Saturday night, during the "Coach's Corner" intermission segment of CBC's Hockey Night in Canada broadcast, iconic commentator Don Cherry highlighted Jenner's odd, ritualized habit of gently caressing and making out with his sticks. No really.

Here's the relevant .gif evidence: 

[By @goldandorsmith, courtesy CBC]

Cherry went on to point out that, after Jenner's well-loved stick broke, he repeated his pecking ritual with a second CCM.  

There's no need to pay a quirky topic like this unnecessary lip-service (heyo!), but hockey players are an odd breed sometimes.