There is no question Michael Davies has plenty of cred with his fellow Pioneers.

It’s not so much what the Denver defenseman says, it’s what he does on a daily basis.

“He’s competitive by nature, and that rubs off,” said assistant coach Dallas Ferguson, who works with the Pioneers’ D. “He has a good personality in the locker room. Dave is very much about winning hockey games.”

And the senior has done plenty of that since arriving at DU in 2016. Entering this weekend’s series against Minnesota Duluth, Denver has won 97 games during Davies’ three-plus seasons, captured an NCAA title and gone to the Frozen Four twice. That track record of success resonates with teammates.

“He’s a pretty good leader,” said sophomore Slava Demin, who often teams with Davies on a shutdown pairing. “He’s won a national championship, so he knows what it takes to win.”

Davies was a natural pick to wear a letter for the Pioneers this season not only because of his collection of on- and off-ice skills, but his consistency.

“He brings a high level of competitiveness every day in practice and in games,” DU coach David Carle said. “I think he’s doing a real good job being a consistent player shift to shift. His efforts don’t get rewarded on the scoresheet as they have in past years, but I think he’s been as good as if not better than any other time in his career for us.

“He’s been a catalyst for us.”

DU SENIOR SERIES

Erich Fear always makes the grade

Tyson McLellan‘s drive fuels Pios

Next: Liam Finlay

Swiss Army knife

There are several dimensions to Davies’ game, some of which might go unnoticed to casual observers.

“Michael is the type of defenseman you need to win,” Ferguson said. “He logs a lot of minutes and is very good at breaking pucks out of his zone.

“He’s got a real competitive spirit. For someone who moves the puck and advances the puck like he does, you’d think he’s have a few more points. A lot of the little things he does don’t show up on the scoresheet.”

Ah yes, the scoresheet. Davies’ relationship with that has oscillated during his time at DU. He’s racked up 16 points, 9 points, 17 points and 3 this season. Though his overtime goal during 3-on-3 play at Omaha two weeks ago gave the Pioneers an extra NCHC point.

“”It’s been a tough year for offensive production, but everybody has years like that,” Davies said. “It’s not something I worry about as long as we’re winning games.”

One of Davies’ more obvious strengths is his skating, and that helps him play tough minutes despite carrying roughly 160 pounds on his 5-foot-8 frame. It’s also an attribute that has led the St. Louis Blues and Colorado Avalanche to invite him to prospect camps the past three summers.

“He’s very good skater, really good on his edges, and he has a high hockey IQ,” Demin said.

Davies’ skating acumen has been a long time in the making. He spent countless hours growing up at the rink his father Ken manages in St. Louis.

“I give a lot of credit to my dad, he taught me the right way when I was young,” Davies said. “I had the privilege of skating quite a bit when I was younger, and that helped me a lot. I got the hang of it quickly and then was able to perfect it. I still work on it to this day.”

Ferguson said the nuances of Davies’ skating are what make the difference in helping him defend so well.

“His edge control is very good, which allows him to create good angles,” Ferguson said. “The way he defends is different than some guys. His transition from backward to forward is good. His skating ability and his anticipation allow him to be very comfortable defending.

“The other thing is he’s got good patience. He won’t commit to an opponent’s first move. That’s a really good quality to have as a defenseman, and it speaks to his composure.

“He gets tough match-ups. He plays against top players night in, night out. On a 5-on-3 PK he might not leave the ice.”

A role that Davies embraces even though he came to Denver with reputation for having a scorer’s touch.

“My role has evolved since I first got to Denver,” the senior said. “I came in as more of an offensive guy because it was something I did in juniors. Now I’m looked to more of a defensive guy, break pucks out, keep the other team out of our zone. I don’t have a problem with it.

“I’ve said I’d rather make a good defensive play than a good offensive play.  We have so much high-end talent that it’s a role I can fill for the team.”

That gives the Pioneers the advantage of having two veteran, every-situation defensemen (captain Ian Mitchell being another) to build their rotation around.

One title isn’t enough

The senior wants to go out with a bang. He wasn’t happy when DU lost in the elite eight in 2018 after a season he has said wasn’t his best. And he was no less pleased with the overtime loss in the national semifinals last season. Had Denver come all the way back to defeat UMass in that game they would have faced Duluth for the title for the second time in three years.

Davies said he and his teammates are resolute about finishing the job this time.

“This is where it gets really fun,” he said of the stretch run. “One little mistake can cost your season once you get to the tournament, so guys will get a little more focused. But our team has done a good job keeping their minds on what we want to do in terms of winning the whole season.

“Now the focus is on details so we’re doing everything right and one little thing doesn’t ruin the whole season. That’s what makes winning it sweeter when you do it.”

Davies’ message to his teammates is pretty simple, Ferguson noted.

“You see him talking to them, doing some video with them, especially early in the season,” Ferguson said. “He’s got the respect of his teammates. They see how hard he plays and the quality of minutes.

“That’s inspiring to them because they want to be in his position. He’s one of those guys you can win with.”

©First Line Editorial 2020