Pioneers Hope For Deja Vu
"This is like deja vu all over again." - Yogi Berra.
If Yogi's inherent wisdom holds true, then the University of Denver hockey team can bank on an NCAA Tournament berth and a March trip to Massachusetts.
Since George Gwozdecky took the program's reins six years ago, the Pioneers have qualified for NCAA postseason play three times - the odd-numbered years of 1995, 1997 and 1999. Each time, Gwozdecky's charges travelled to Worcester, Mass., which hosted the NCAA East Regional.
By the way, the 2001 NCAA East Regional is slated for Worcester's Centrum Center.
As a disclaimer, no one recommends subscribing to the philosophies of a former Yankee catcher when making bold predictions about the future success of a college hockey team.
There are, however, other similarities between this year's Pioneer squad and those that have advanced to the NCAAs over the past six seasons - experience up and down the roster, a potentially dangerous mix of speed, skill and power up front, a rugged defensive corps and a pair of promising goaltenders.
Forwards
"You can observe a lot just by watchin'."- Yogi Berra.
Watching the group of Denver forwards this season should be a treat for Pioneer fans and a nightmare for the team's opponents. Four forwards from last year's squad have departed, including three of the top four scorers, but the cupboard is anything but bare.
Senior Kelly Popadynetz had a breakout season last year, doubling his career-best point total by notching a team-high 40 points on 15 goals and 25 assists and solidifying his reputation as one of the best faceoff men in the WCHA. Fellow senior Bjorn Engstrom, perhaps the most consistent player in the lineup, reached the 30-point plateau for the second straight year with 12 goals and 18 assists. The third senior up front, physical winger Bryce Wallnutt, scored five goals and four assists - including his first hat trick as a Pioneer vs Minnesota - in 32 games.
David Neale, the lone junior forward on the roster, found his niche last year. A solid two-way center and valuable penalty-killer, he had 3-6=9 after becoming a fixture in the lineup midway through the season.
The promising freshman class of last season should be that much better with a year of experience under its belt. Feisty wing Kevin Doell led DU rookies with eight goals and 15 assists and ranked seventh among WCHA newcomers with 23 points. Greg Barber, a Boston Bruins draft choice, started fast and finished the year with 7-8=15. J.J. Hartmann scored six goals - including three game-winners - and 13 points. Jordan Bianchin, despite missing a handful of games with a shoulder problem, had eight assists and showed signs of becoming one of the team's most gifted playmakers in the future.
Defensemen
"We have deep depth." - Yogi Berra.
DU returns six defensemen who saw significant time at the blueline last season and a seventh who was in the rotation until going down with a season-ending injury.
Junior Chris Paradise, who switched from forward to defense last November following an injury to James Armstrong, scored four goals and 19 assists and became a key component of the power-play. His 23 points ranked fourth among WCHA defensemen in 1999-2000.
Senior captain Judd Stauss was named the team's defensive player of the year in 2000 after posting career highs in goals (four) and points (11) despite missing four games with a back problem.
Juniors Jesse Cook and Bryan Vines jelled as a pair as the season progressed. DU's top penalty-killing duo, Cook scored two goals and added 12 assists while Vines logged seven points in 41 games.
Erik Adams scored just four points in 1999-00 after three goals and 15 assists during a stellar rookie campaign but his play improved as the season progressed.
Speaking of standout rookies, Aaron MacKenzie was DU's freshman of the year in 2000 after recording one goal and nine assists and taking his place as one of the WCHA's top young blueliners and hardest hitters.
James Armstrong was off to a great start last season for DU, posting a +6 plus/minus rating before a torn anterior cruciate ligament ended his year after seven games.
Senior Neil Phippen and sophomore Jason Grahame provide insurance for the Pioneers at defense.
Goaltenders
"Nothing is like it seems, but everything is like it is." - Yogi Berra.
It would seem that the Pioneers' goaltending situation is a weak spot due to the graduation of stalwart Stephen Wagner.
However, with sophomore Wade Dubielewicz and newcomer Adam Berkhoel, Gwozdecky may have his best one-two punch between the pipes since Wagner and Jim Mullin shared duties in 1996-97.
Dubielewicz showed flashes of brilliance as the backup last year. He became the first Denver netminder to pitch a shutout in his first collegiate start after blanking Michigan Tech, 7-0, in Houghton on Oct. 29, 1999 and posted a 3-5-1 record, a 2.72 goals-against average and a .902 saves percentage in 13 appearances.
Newcomers
"In theory there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice there is." - Yogi Berra
The final judgement won't come until their DU careers are over. However, the prevailing theory is that this year's group of newcomers is the most talented Gwozdecky has lured to Denver.
The most heralded is Connor James, who scored 93 points in 64 games for the Calgary Royals. The aforementioned Berkhoel was named the USA Hockey Goalie of the Year after leading the USHL's Twin Cities Vulcans to the JR A championship.
Other newcomers who could challenge for playing time in 2000-01 include the likes of forwards Lukas Dora, Greg Keith, Scott McConnell and Matt Weber, and defensemen Ryan Caldwell and Matt Laatsch.
Chris Meese
DU Hockey SID
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