Dealing with a young college hockey player with a lot of NHL potential is tricky business. Maximum opportunity is continuously offered, and rewards can be high, but sometimes the result can hurt a team’s bottom line and cause dissension in the locker room.
The pros and cons of this dilemma will be on display this weekend at Magness Arena when unranked Minnesota and No. 2 University of Denver face off with a combined 33 NHL draft picks.
The Pioneers (13 NHL selections) have done well nurturing their young stars, particularly sophomore Joe Colborne. Once dubbed “The Passive Project” by fans unfamiliar with his sensational, free-wheeling junior-A career in Canada, the Boston Bruins’ 2008 first-round selection (16th overall) brings a career-best 10-game point streak (six goals, 14 points) into the series.
“He’s got a terrific attitude, and he’s extremely coachable,” DU coach George Gwozdecky said of Colborne, who has become more physical lately. “He’s very hard on himself when he doesn’t play the way he knows he can play.”
Colborne’s success is a product of patience. After a slow start while playing center and left wing on multiple lines, the 6-foot-5 kid with the seemingly 10-foot reach has excelled playing right wing with standout seniors Tyler Ruegsegger and Rhett Rakhshani the past two months.
“I’m playing with two of the top guys in college hockey, a guy who I think should be a Hobey Baker finalist (Rakh-shani), if not the winner, and ‘Ruegs’ is one of the most skilled out there, one of the best finishers,” said Colborne, who is leads the team in power-play goals (seven) and is third in goals (12) and points (28). “So I’m in a special position right now, really fortunate to be where I’m at. You look at (the Gophers), they have so much skill it’s almost like they’re (too) spread out.”
Minnesota began the season with 20 NHL draft picks, the most ever assembled on one NCAA team. But only one player, junior Jacob Cepis, is averaging more than a point per game, and he is an undrafted free agent who has played just 10 games.
Gwozdecky said he will always recruit character ahead of NHL potential. The combination is preferred, but leading with character promotes unity on a team with projected superstars like Colborne.
“I don’t think being picked in the draft changes your character,” Gwozdecky said, “but the attention certainly exposes any character flaws you might have.”
Unsuccessful or unhappy NHL-bound players typically don’t remain in college very long. The goal is to keep them and their NHL team happy long enough to see them reach their potential.
Colborne already has visions of playing another season at DU.
“My parents definitely think a couple more years would be good and come out of here with a degree, and Boston’s been really good,” he said. “They’ve been keeping a good distance away and said, ‘Don’t even think about anything until after the season.’ So I think there’s a good chance I’ll be back for another year.”
Mike Chambers: 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com
College hockey
MINNESOTA (13-13-2) AT NO. 2 DENVER (18-6-4)
What: WCHA two-game series
When: Tonight (7:35) and Saturday (7 p.m.)
Where: Magness Arena
TV/Radio: FSN/KKFN 104.3 FM
Notes: DU is on a season-high four-game winning streak, allowing just four goals during that stretch. . . . The Pioneers swept the Gophers by 3-0 scores in October at Minneapolis. The Pioneers will be without junior center Jesse Martin (shoulder injury) and defenseman William Wrenn (hip). . . . DU goalie Marc Cheverie leads the country in shutouts (six) and is second in goals-against average (1.96) and save percentage (.935).
