Former University of Denver star Tyler Bozak, a rookie with the Toronto Maple Leafs, learned Friday that he would not have to spend the NHL’s Olympic break playing for the Leafs’ top minor-league affiliate.
It was surprising news, given that club’s two other first-year players straight out of college — Viktor Stalberg and Christian Hanson — were sent to the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League.
Bozak, who has 11 points (three goals) in 16 games with the Leafs, was free to go wherever he wanted. Mexico? Europe? Maybe Vancouver to catch the Olympics?
“I was immediately thinking ‘first flight to Denver,’ ” Bozak said.
After playing against the Blues at St. Louis on Friday, Bozak flew to Denver and attended the Pioneers’ series finale on Saturday against Minnesota. He intends to spend the rest of the week with his former teammates.
“I’ve been looking forward to coming back here for a long time,” said Bozak, who signed with Toronto last spring, after his injury-shortened sophomore season at DU. “I was hoping to get the break, and lucky enough I did. I didn’t know what they were going to do, because I’m on a two-way (contract). They have the option to send me down. But I’ve been playing pretty well up there, getting lots of minutes and putting up some numbers.
“I’m just grateful to get the break and come back here. I’ve been following the team, and to see how well they played (Saturday) was unbelievable.”
Second-ranked DU won 5-1 Saturday to complete its first 4-0 regular-season sweep over the Gophers. When Bozak was a freshman, the Pioneers actually did even better at the end. They went 4-0-1 against the Gophers, winning the fifth game 2-1 for the WCHA playoff championship in St. Paul, Minn.
Bozak had a whopping nine goals in seven career games against Minnesota. He had a goal in every game, including his first college hat trick early in his freshman season.
DU didn’t need him last weekend, but Bozak said he often wonders about how much fun he would be having with the Pioneers this season.
“I think about it all the time, but I’m really happy with where I am and what’s going on,” he said. “I absolutely miss it here, but I know I’ll be able to play with or against some of these guys in the future.”
Footnotes.
WCHA-leading DU needs one point to clinch home ice for the first round of the WCHA playoffs. . . . For the first time in their 61-year history, the Pioneers finished the regular season a combined 8-0 against Minnesota and North Dakota.
Mike Chambers: 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com
Front Range rankings
1. Denver (20-6-4, 14-4-4 WCHA). Last week: Swept Minnesota, 3-1 and 5-1. Up next: Hosts Michigan Tech (5-22-1,4-18-0 WCHA) Friday-Saturday. Comment: With six games remaining, the league-leading Pioneers are pushing hard for their 12th WCHA crown.
2. Colorado College (17-10-3, 11-8-3 WCHA). Last week: Idle (previously beat Mercyhurst 5-3). Up next: At Minnesota (13-15-2, 8-12-2 WCHA) Friday-Saturday. Comment: The Tigers are gearing up to hold off North Dakota for the fifth and final home-ice WCHA playoff seed.
3. Air Force (12-12-6, 12-6-6 AHA). Last week: Idle (previously lost to Denver 2-1 OT). Up next: At RIT (18-11-1, 18-5-1 AHA) Friday-Saturday. Comment: The Falcons’ final four regular-season games are against the two AHA teams in front of them in the standings. Mike Chambers, The Denver Post
