If a power-play goal is the equivalent of capitalizing on an opportunity, the University of Denver blew too many chances last season.
The Pioneers, who typically build their power-play units by evenly splitting up their top 10 offensive players, scored on just 18.6 percent of their man-advantage opportunities a season ago. They were 22nd nationally.
Expect those numbers to dramatically improve this season, because coach George Gwozdecky is doing things differently. His top five offensive players, each bona fide NHL prospects, are on a power-play unit that has the potential to produce at 30 percent.
“So far, it’s been a blast. I don’t think I’ve ever played on a power play with four guys that are as skilled as what I’ve been out there with in the two (exhibition) games,” junior center Drew Shore said during Tuesday’s media day at Magness Arena. “We scored a good amount (three goals), but I think the number of good opportunities and good looks we’ve had is pretty special.”
No. 3-ranked DU was picked to win the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, despite not having No. 1 goalie Sam Brittain (knee injury) available until January, or beyond. Voters anticipate that the Pioneers, who open Friday night at No. 1 Boston College, will be exceptional on offense.
Shore, who led DU in scoring last season, is playing the point on the power play alongside sophomore defenseman David Makowski, who made the Western Collegiate Hockey Association all-rookie team last season. Makowski is a terrific passer with an innate ability to get pucks to the net through traffic.
Sophomore forwards Beau Bennett (left wing), Nick Shore (center) and Jason Zucker (right wing) complete a very talented, albeit very young, all-American power play. Drew Shore, Bennett and Zucker are each first- or second-round NHL draft picks who will likely sign professional contracts after this season.
All five guys are from nontraditional American hockey towns. The Shore brothers are from Denver; Makowski from Wildwood, Mo.; Bennett from Gardena, Calif.; and Zucker from Las Vegas.
Zucker tied Drew Shore with a team-high 23 goals last season, and Bennett and Nick Shore only scratched the surface of their potential as freshmen.
“We’re looking forward to watching what the freshmen from last year are able to do this year,” said DU co-captain Dustin Jackson, a 25-year-old senior forward. “We have Jason Zucker, Beau Bennett, Nick Shore, and those guys are going to be big-time players for us this year, alongside, obviously, Drew.”
Elite-level programs such as DU have to maintain working relationships with NHL teams that draft their players, and trust that the school will develop the players with maximum opportunity. Thus, DU sometimes has to absorb growing pains from its top young stars.
Gwozdecky said his stacked power play was formed from chemistry carrying over from last year and trusting that his second unit is similarly capable.
“In years past, we’ve been able to know who our top 10 guys were, but it took time to figure out who our top five guys were,” Gwozdecky said. “Certainly, coming into this year, at this point we figure these are our top five guys. They’ve proved it throughout the majority of last year. That’s the difference.”
Mike Chambers: 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com
