Tyler Bozak is a classic late-bloomer. The University of Denver center will turn 22 in March, making him one of college hockey’s oldest freshmen. But his statistics defy his inexperience. The NHL undrafted free agent has 10 goals, tied for second among NCAA freshmen, and 21 points, second behind Pioneers’ leading scorer Brock Trotter.
Bozak is a major reason the Pioneers (16-4) are atop the the Western Collegiate Hockey Association and ranked No. 3 nationally. The second-line center from Regina, Saskatchewan, has become DU’s top faceoff specialist. He leads the team in short-handed goals with three.
After high school in Regina, Bozak played three years in the British Columbia Hockey League. Last season, he paced the Victoria Grizzlies and the league in scoring with 128 points (45 goals) in 59 games.
He visited with Denver Post college hockey writer Mike Chambers before practice Wednesday.
Q: What’s the best thing to do in Saskatchewan?
A: In the wintertime I love playing in the outdoor rink. My dad, brother and I would build a rink in our backyard. Those are my fondest memories, playing for countless hours, and having my mom yelling at us to get inside on school nights.
Q: I’m sure you didn’t have a Zamboni. How did you make smooth ice?
A: We’d flood it with the hose, shovel it, and then flood it again and let it sit to make it fresh.
Q: How long did the rink last each winter?
A: Sometimes by Halloween, Christmas for sure. And we’d have it up through March.
Q: I imagine you fish up there?
A: Mainly in the summer, but it’s a family tradition to go on boxing day (Dec. 26) but this year I had to be back on Christmas Day, so we went a couple days earlier. In the summer, we have a boat and a lakefront cabin. We’d go up there and fish as much as we can.
Q: Big birthday in March. You’ll be 22 before your freshman year ends. How much grief do you get about that?
A: It hasn’t been too bad. The guys will throw me a joke every now and again, call me grandpa or something. It really doesn’t bother me. I don’t regret my decision (to wait). I didn’t have many good hockey schools that I could have gone to. Luckily, I waited it out and came to a great school like this. And playing three years out in Victoria were three great years in my life.
Q: Prototype late bloomer, eh?
A: Definitely. When I was in novice I was really good, but I was always small. In grade 10 I was 5-foot-4, and then by the start of grade 12 I was 5-10. So I had to fill into my body, and things were a little awkward for a bit, like skating. I was a little uncoordinated because of that huge growth spurt. I’ve always been a late developer, but now I’m where most guys my age are.
Bure tops list
Tyler Bozak’s top five athletes:
1. Pavel Bure, former NHL forward
2. Rafael Nadal, pro tennis player
3. Sergio Garcia, pro golfer
4. Alexander Ovechkin, Washington Capitals left wing
5. Steve Nash, Phoenix Suns point guard
Mike Chambers: 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com
