John Swanson Willing to Do What it Takes to Help St. Cloud State Succeed
St. Cloud State's John Swanson |
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Nov. 13, 2008
ST. CLOUD, Minn. - Being a lifelong St. Cloud State University hockey fan, John Swanson really wants to see the Huskies find success.
And the St. Cloud resident and graduate of nearby Tech High School is so dedicated, that he'll do whatever he personally can do to help the team win."
"I'm willing to do what is best for the team," Swanson said. "Wherever they need me, I'll go."
Swanson has alternated through positions the past two seasons.
"John has been utilized in every situation for us during his career," coach Bob Motzko said before the season. "He has tremendous speed and skill."
After earning his reputation as a forward his whole career, he moved to defense early last season. Prior to his junior season at SCSU, he had become a staple of the middle lines and had scored 33 points in his first two seasons as a forward for the Huskies.
Last season, the Huskies were struggling with the graduation of defenders Justin Fletcher and Casey Borer and needed to shore up the blueline after they struggled to a 2-2-1 start.
SCSU eased him into the role, one he hadn't played competitively since the Bantam level. He was given a shot in an exhibition game against the U.S. Under-18 Team and had played on the penalty kill early in the season.
He then put on the black practice uniform for good. He was paired with defenseman Garrett Raboin and the Huskies wouldn't be beat in the next five games.
"It did not go too bad," said Swanson after his first game as a defenseman in a 5-3 Nov. 2 win over Alaska-Anchorage. "There were a few times where I kind of caught myself out of place but overall it was good."
Swanson took to the position and improved each in week. And in just his third weekend on the job, he earned WCHA Defensive Player of the Week honors.
Over the Thanksgiving weekend he helped SCSU earn a road split with then ranked No. 7 Clarkson. He anchored a penalty kill that stopped nine of the Golden Knights' 10 power-play chances. He finished plus-3 and helped the Huskies win the opening game despite being outshot 33-13.
Swanson ended his junior campaign with 22 points including two game-winners and a pair of short-handed goals.
The Huskies went on to face to face the same Clarkson team in the first round of the NCAA playoffs in Albany. N.Y. It was Swanson's second NCAA tournament game.
"It's pretty nerve wracking to be in an NCAA (tournament) game," Swanson said. "It's not like anything you have ever experienced. The WCHA playoffs are packed and it's intense. Then you go out east and its very, very calm at the rink and there is hardly anybody there. But at the same time you are playing for the national championship...its really a different atmosphere."
SCSU entered the new season in 2008-09, with optimism thanks to the return of goalie Jase Weslosky, Hobey Baker finalist Ryan Lasch and a group of uber-talented rookies.
The Huskies did, however, lose Andreas Nodl. The Austrian-native forward was a big part of the SCSU offense with 90 points in his first two seasons.
But the would-be junior signed an NHL contract with the Philadelphia Flyers and has quickly elevated himself through the minors to the NHL roster.
His loss left a big hole the team had to address in the offseason.
"Losing Nodl was huge for us," Lasch said before the season. "He was a great team guy and put up impressive numbers. We have to find some to fill his role and that certainly won't be easy."
Once again the Huskies turned to a familiar face for help, as Swanson made the move back to forward for his senior year. A move which helped the Huskies fill the void left by the early departure of Nodl.
"We think he has the ability to be a top offensive threat," Motzko said.
And Swanson gladly accepted the new assignment.
"Again, I'll do whatever to make the team better," he said. "I have been playing forward my whole life so it's nothing new. I think it's good to be back on the offensive side."
The transition provided an immediate impact. Swanson had a goal and an assist in the season opening 7-2 win over Mercyhurst at the National Hockey Center.
The following night it got even better.
Swanson turned in a career-best performance, scoring his first collegiate three-goal hat trick in a 7-3 win over the Lakers in the series finale.
He beat Mercyhurst goalie Matt Lundin with a power play rebound, a wrist shot and a power play slapshot from the blueline.
His line earned 15 points over the two-game series and it earned Swanson WCHA Offensive Player of the Week Honors.
He enters this weekend tied for second on the team in points with seven, which includes five goals and two assists this season. In four seasons with his hometown team, Swanson has charted 27 goals, 35 assists and 62 points.
But the team's 3-4 start is not what the senior has envisioned. He desperately wants to get back to the NCAA tournament and get the program's first win in his last season at the school.
"Getting back there is our main focus," Swanson said. "If we get there, we have to play hard. We have to change our record there. And it is all on the seniors like me this year, to get it done."
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