Adrian Veideman has absorbed a lot of pain since he last donned a University of Denver hockey sweater Nov. 26.
After the versatile junior separated his shoulder against Massachusetts two days after Thanksgiving, his recovery was interrupted by an infection in the shoulder that required surgery.
Then came the Denver Cup. He watched helplessly as the Pioneers were upset by Princeton and went on to finish last in the four-team holiday tournament at Magness Arena.
Physically and mentally, Veideman suffered much throughout his eight-game absence from the lineup.
“Just sitting in the stands was hard enough, but recovering all the weight I lost, it’s been a battle,” said Veideman, who will return tonight at Magness Arena when DU opens a two-game series against St. Cloud (Minn.) State (9-8-3, 4-7-1 Western Collegiate Hockey Association).
“It was very tough to watch the Denver Cup. It was one of the lowest points of my hockey career, watching the guys, knowing how much I wanted to be out there helping them.”
DU (11-9-2, 8-4-2) was idle last weekend and hasn’t played since the Denver Cup. Senior co-captain Gabe Gauthier said the Pioneers are excited to put the Denver Cup nightmare behind them.
“It comes from leadership, and guys wanting to play, and preparing to play, and having the will to go to battle every night,” Gauthier said.
“From a fan’s perspective, it may be frustrating to watch the games and keep tabs on us because we’re not doing so well. But we’re in good position in the league.”
Veideman, who excels at forward or defense, should help at both ends of the ice. This weekend he will be asked to help stabilize a young blue-line corps and resume his power play point-man position alongside All-American Matt Carle.
DU’s biggest problem in the Denver Cup was turnovers in its own zone. And the Pioneers’ transition offense was nonexistent because defensemen rarely made a good first pass or skated the puck out of the zone.
Footnotes
No. 5 Colorado College opens its two-game series against No. 1 Wisconsin tonight at the Colorado Springs World Arena. … DU and CC have 14 games remaining, all against WCHA foes. The Front Range rivals have to play two-game series against Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota and each other. DU begins the torrid stretch next weekend at Wisconsin.
Mike Chambers can be reached at 303-820-5453 or mchambers@denverpost.com.
