Sophomore left wingers Jason Zucker and Jaden Schwartz have more in common than their age and positions. They both are Western Collegiate Hockey Association preseason players of the year, and they proved why last weekend.
The University of Denver’s Zucker, the media’s pick as the league’s top player, scored the Pioneers’ first goal of the season in Friday’s opener at No. 1 Boston College and added an assist in the 4-2 upset at Chestnut Hill, Mass. The reigning WCHA rookie of the year had an assist in Saturday’s 4-3 loss at Boston University and leads DU with three points.
Schwartz, the Colorado College star who was tabbed the WCHA top player in the coaches’ poll, leads the Tigers (2-0) with four points (two goals). He achieved those numbers in last weekend’s 3-1 and 6-4 victories over Bemidji State.
Schwartz produced 47 points and Zucker 45 as two of the country’s premier freshmen last season, with Zucker scoring 23 goals and Schwartz delivering 30 assists.
They are excellent NHL prospects from the 2010 draft class who likely will sign professional deals after this season. Schwartz was a first-round pick of the St. Louis Blues and Zucker was taken in the second round by the Minnesota Wild.
Footnotes.
DU remained No. 3 in the two national media polls, and CC moved up to No. 4 in each. Boston College (3-1) and Michigan (4-0) are 1-2 in the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine poll and the opposite in the U.S. College Hockey Online poll. . . . DU used lineups featuring seven defensemen and 11 forwards against BC and BU. The Pioneers are introducing three blue-chip freshman defensemen, but also have four veteran blue-liners they cannot afford to scratch. Freshman forwards Zac Larraza and Ty Loney spot-shifted with various centers. . . . College hockey’s only Division I independent is in dire need of some support. Alabama-Huntsville, which hosts Air Force for a two-game series this weekend, is 0-6 and has been outscored a combined 21-5. The Chargers are 0-4 at home.
Mike Chambers: 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com
Front Range rankings
1. Colorado College (2-0, 2-0 Western Collegiate Hockey Association). Last week: Swept visiting Bemidji State 3-1 and 6-4. This week: Idle (next up, at Rensselaer on Oct. 28-29). Comment: Tigers rally for sweep after falling behind 4-3 in the third period Saturday.
2. Denver (1-1, 0-0 WCHA). Last week: Won at Boston College 4-2 and lost at Boston University 4-3. This week: Hosts Minnesota State (1-3, 0-0 WCHA) on Friday and Saturday. Comment: Good split in New England, but what’s going on with that power play (0-of-10)?
3. Air Force. (2-2, 2-0 Atlantic Hockey Association). Last week: Defeated Niagara 3-2 in overtime and Robert Morris 4-2. This week: Visits Alabama Huntsville (0-6) on Friday and Saturday. Comment: Falcons could cruise in AHA, but will be without No. 1 goalie Jason Torf (groin injury) indefinitely.
Mike Chambers, The Denver Post
