At the midpoint of the season, this much is clear about the University of Denver hockey team: The Pioneers are either well beyond rebuilding mode or they managed to skip the painful process entirely.
Despite losing their top three scorers, their best defenseman and an All-America goalie from a veteran-led team that was ranked No. 1 for much of last season, the Pioneers’ young current squad probably enters Christmas break in better shape than it did a year ago.
The Pioneers, who are 10-2-1 since senior center Jesse Martin suffered a serious neck injury Oct. 30 at North Dakota, are 12-5-3 overall and 9-3-2 in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. At the break last year, DU was 11-5-2 and 9-3.
The current group features young stars such as sophomores Drew Shore and Matt Donovan and freshmen Jason Zucker and Sam Brittain, and is bound to get better. Last season’s team was spearheaded by seniors, and it unquestionably peaked before the playoffs.
“There is something within this team that has that ability to rise to the occasion, and that’s a very good sign,” DU coach George Gwozdecky said. “Obviously, we’ve had some very strong play from a lot of the younger, more inexperienced players, and the leadership has been very good.
“I’m very pleased with how we’ve come along and I continue to see our team developing, especially as our younger players continue to gain confidence. Those are all good signs.”
The only time DU appeared to be in rebuilding mode was in its mid-October nonconference series against defending NCAA champion Boston College. The Eagles swept the series, winning 6-2 and 3-0.
“The BC series didn’t only show us how good BC was, but it showed us all the many things we had to improve on,” Gwozdecky said. “It was an invaluable series to us.”
The Pioneers are 9-1-1 since they were embarrassed at Colorado College on Nov. 6, losing 9-2 a week after Martin’s injury.
Footnotes.
Former DU captain Rhett Rakhshani of the New York Islanders made his NHL debut Monday night but went scoreless. He had been playing for the Islanders’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. He scored 24 points (10 goals) in 27 games. . . . Goalie Richard Bachman, a former CC star from Highlands Ranch, made his NHL debut with the Dallas Stars on Saturday. He stopped 4-of-4 shots in about 10 minutes against Phoenix.
Mike Chambers: 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com
Front Range rankings
1. Denver (12-5-3, 9-3-2 Western Collegiate Hockey Association). Last week: Won and tied at Alaska-Anchorage, 5-3 and 2-2.This week: Idle (plays next against Northern Michigan on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 at Magness Arena). Comment: Sophomore Drew Shore and freshman Jason Zucker have 14 goals apiece, tied for third most nationally.
2. Colorado College (10-7-1, 7-5 WCHA). Last week: Won twice at St. Cloud State, 3-0 and 5-2. This week: Hosts Nebraska-Omaha (11-4-1, 8-3-1 WCHA) Friday-Saturday. Comment: In their five-game winning streak, the Tigers have outscored their opponents 22-5 and produced three shutouts.
3. Air Force (6-7-2, 4-3-2 Atlantic Hockey Association). Last week: Idle (previously tied and beat Holy Cross, 1-1 and 7-6, Dec. 3-4. This week: Idle (plays next Dec. 30-31 at Bentley). Comment: When the Falcons resume Dec. 30, they will play on nine consecutive weekends. Mike Chambers, The Denver Post
