Here are some highlights from several conversations I had with players and coach Jim Montgomery at Denver’s media day Tuesday afternoon. Many of these will be fleshed out in more detail later this week.

Olympic aspirations

Pioneers forward Troy Terry participated in USA Hockey’s Team USA Media Summit in Park City, Utah, this week. He and Boston University forward Jordan Greenway were the two men’s Division I college hockey representatives, along with Wisconsin coach Tony Granato, who will coach Team USA’s men’s Olympic team in South Korea in February. Terry said he’s honored that he is even being considered for a spot, and he mentioned teammate Dylan Gambrell also is under consideration. Should one or both be selected, the timing of the Games coincides with just two series for DU, meaning the players could – if selected – miss as few as four games. The team won’t be announced until January, and it will be drawn from professionals in Europe, those in the minors not on two-way deals with NHL teams and NCAA players.

Terry insisted his focus is on the Pioneers and equated his situation to that with the World Junior Championships last season. He knew he was in the mix but didn’t fixate on it. That strategy seemed to work out well enough for him.

Terry said he was elated to be selected on of DU’s three assistant captains (along with Gambrell and senior defenseman Adam Plant). Growing up in the Denver area and being a lifelong fan made it an even great honor.

Oh captain my captain

A doctor’s visit next week will help determine when captain Tariq Hammond might be able to go full speed in practice and ultimately play in games. Hammond had a second surgery on his ankle recently and was walking with a limp on Tuesday. He told me he’s been on the ice three times since then with no setbacks but he did not practice with the team Tuesday.

When asked about Hammond’s status after practice, Montgomery said the goal is for him to be ready for NCHC action, which begins Nov. 3-4 at Western Michigan. If that is how it works out, Hammond would miss three non-conference weekends – at Notre Dame (Oct. 13-14), vs. Lake Superior State (Oct. 20-21) and at Boston University and Boston College (Oct. 27-28). The Pioneers are off Oct. 6-7, when many Division I teams begin play.

Give and take

Sophomore center Henrik Borgstrom said he gained almost 10 pounds of muscle in the offseason then lost nearly all of the weight while battling mono upon his return to Denver. He said he feels better, and Montgomery said the reigning NCHC Rookie of the Year has looked outstanding (and stronger) in practice thus far.

Borgstrom also said he was not close to signing a pro contract with the Florida Panthers, who selected him in the first round in 2016. He echoed comments Montgomery has made on several occasions about needing more strength and preparation for the pro game. Borgstrom added that point was driven home in the national title game by Minnesota-Duluth’s big, physical lineup.

Sizable shift

If Hammond does miss October, the Pioneers have several sizable replacements awaiting their chance. In addition to freshman Ian Mitchell, a highly skilled second-round pick of the Chicago Blackhawks in June, DU has three D-men standing 6-foot-3 or taller who should gain playing time. Junior Sean Mostrom (6-3), sophomore Erich Fear (6-5) and freshman Griffin Mendel (6-4) all are in the running for playing time. Montgomery lauded all four for their performance thus far.

Pressure cooker

Montgomery said a couple of times this is the most skilled and explosive team he’s had in his five seasons at Denver, and that was obvious watching a portion of practice. The Pioneers have an abundance of well-above-average skaters. The coach said part of being tough to play against – a tenant of Pioneer hockey – will be the ability to apply pressure in every zone, but particularly while possessing the puck. Based on what I saw, DU has the horses to do that.

Nice to see you

DU alumni Emil Romig and Quentin Shore worked out with the Pioneers Tuesday. Romig will depart soon for training camp with the Reading Royals of the East Coast Hockey League, while Shore, who spent last season in the ECHL and the American Hockey League, remains unsigned. Some team in need of a strong two-way player down the middle, one who is a beast in the circle, would be wise to give him a shot.