Who’s driving the bus?

For Denver during the 2018-19 season there are at least three players who will have a lot to say on – and off – the ice about the level of success the Pioneers have.

DU has 20 underclassmen, including 11 freshmen, out of the 27 players on its roster, so leadership is the most important trait the Pioneers’ indispensable players possess. All three we take a closer look have that in spades, but each also brings other tangible skills to the table.

2018-19 SEASON PREVIEW SERIES

Part 1: Breaking down Denver’s schedule

Part 2: Denver’s roster by the numbers

Pioneer Hockey Podcast debuts!

Jarid Lukosevicius

It seems like a switch has flipped for the good-natured winger.

He spent his first three seasons toiling in the long shadows of talented forwards such as Danton Heinen, Trevor Moore, Dylan Gambrell, Henrik Borgström and his former roommate, whom he rarely misses an opportunity to refer to as “American Hero”, Troy Terry.

So it’s easy to forget this is the guy who put up nearly a point per game last season, including 21 goals, which are fifth most among returning NCAA players. That came on the heels of a magical 2016-17 season in which the player affectionately known as “Luko” scored an NCAA-best eight game-winning goals, including the biggest one of the season – his third of three in the NCAA championship game, matching a feat last accomplished by his former coach, Jim Montgomery.

And who led the Pioneers in shots the past two seasons? None of the aforementioned. It’s Lukosevicius, who also is a two-time NCHC Academic All-Conference pick.

One of the most noticeable things to me at Saturday night’s exhibition against the University of Alberta was Lukosevicius’ speed and assertiveness. The two are interconnected, he said afterward.

“One of my goals this summer was to work on my skating and have the puck more,” he said. “I’m trying to come out of the corners (with the puck) and walk and shoot, and hopefully it opens up plays for others. I’m going to try to hold onto the puck longer. I’m more confident in my skating this year.”

The work, and its accompanying change in demeanor, hasn’t gone unnoticed by the coaching staff, assistant coach Tavis MacMillan said.

“We’re impressed with how fast he’s looked in practices, how determined he is,” the coach said. “Even from last year, he is a man on a mission.

“Individually, his ownership and want for this team to be successful is at an elite level. He takes it personally when people dismiss DU.”

Lukosevicius, like Mitchell, will wear an “A” this season, and that’s with good reason.

“He’ll hold teammates accountable,” MacMillan continued. “He does it in a way where he’ll say, ‘Let’s get to work.’ There’s ownership in the success of the program. … He realizes it’s his turn now, and he wants to show guys what it means to be a Pioneer because he had great guys teach him how to do it, and not just through their words.”

As he is demonstrating, the senior has no problem getting behind the wheel.

Ian Mitchell

As college debuts go, it’s fairly difficult to top Mitchell’s freshman season for the Pioneers. He stepped into a deep lineup immediately and finished fifth on a stacked team with 30 points, which led all of DU’s defenseman. His points total was higher than Hobey Baker Award winners Matt Carle and Will Butcher reached in their freshmen seasons.

His point total was the second most among NCAA freshmen defensemen (to Duluth’s Scott Perunovich) and he was second in the nation with 19 power-play assists. But Mitchell is not solely a man-advantage monster. A second-round pick (57th overall) of the Chicago Blackhawks in 2017, Mitchell proved a natural fit with veteran defenseman Blake Hillman (a fellow Chicago pick) and showed awareness in his own zone, blocking 54 shots.

An NCHC All-Rookie pick, Mitchell’s comfort level in the top NCAA conference clearly improved as the season wore on, but what impressed me the most was his patience with the puck while facing an onslaught of future NHL players on a near weekly basis. His heady play shouldn’t come as a surprise though, given he also made the NCHC Academic All-Conference team and was an NCHC Distinguished Scholar-Athlete.

Preparation is one of the hallmarks that sets the super sophomore apart.

“Ian’s a special player,” said MacMillan, who did a lion’s share of the recruiting of Mitchell. “He’s so driven and so motivated to be the best he can be. You have to slow him down.

“He’s a pro already. He’s watched and learned already.”

This season Mitchell will anchor DU’s blue line in all situations, and it’s reasonable to expect he’ll be one of the top blue liners in college hockey.

Colin Staub

It’s not Staub’s way to make waves.

The senior forward goes about his business, letting his actions speak louder than words.

Montgomery liked to call him one of his security blankets, and with good reason. Staub fits seemlessly in the lineup wherever he is needed. Staub gained this trust by being a student of the game. That shouldn’t come as a surprise because he’s been a wild success in the classroom (AHCA All-American Scholar, NCHC Distinguished Scholar-Athlete and a multi-time pick to the league’s Academic All-Conference Team) as well.

He watched as fellow senior Logan O’Connor was selected captain and was nothing but supportive. When O’Connor received a surprise offer to sign with the Colorado Avalanche and Staub was elevated to captain a day later, the response was the same – even keeled. That’s how the Colorado Springs product rolls.

“He’s a pro in life, not just a hockey thing,” MacMillan said. “I wouldn’t hesitate to tell my friends who own businesses to offer this guy a job right now, I don’t care what industry you’re in. Just give him training for whatever area you want him in. He’ll work up the ranks of your company. I would hire him sight unseen.”

That Staub’s character and work ethic are the first topics coaches and teammates want to talk about says something. It also overshadows the fact he’s grown into a terrific college hockey player, going from nine points to 20 to 22 last season. He’s responsible defensively (a plus-player every season) and kills penalties. And even though he’s not always in scoring situations or playing with top scorers, he has eight game-winning goals in his career.

If the Pioneers are going to make their mark in college hockey this season, they will do it by following the cues of these three leaders, three of their most indispensable players.

NEXT: Who are DU’s emerging players?

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