Time for some good sports news, particularly for fans of DU hockey, which had its season abruptly ended late last week.

Four Denver hockey players have been selected as finalists for the NCHC’s end-of-the-season awards – junior defenseman Ian Mitchell, sophomore forward Emilio Pettersen, and a pair of freshmen, forward Bobby Brink and goaltender Magnus Chrona.

Mitchell, a 2017 NHL Entry Draft pick by the Chicago Blackhawks, is one of three players in contention for offensive defenseman of the year, joining Minnesota Duluth’s Scott Perunovich and North Dakota’s Matt Kierstad.

Pettersen, a 2018 pick by the Calgary Flames, is one of three vying for forward of the year, along with UMD sophomore Noah Cates and North Dakota junior Jordan Kawaguchi.

Freshman goaltender Magnus Chrona. Photo courtesy of Nick Monaghan and Denver Athletics

Chrona, a 2018 pick by the Tampa Bay Lightning, is the only freshman among a final three for goaltender of the year that includes St. Cloud State junior David Hrenak and Duluth senior Hunter Shepard.

Brink, a 2019 pick by the Philadelphia Flyers, is one of three players contending for rookie of the year. Brink, who missed DU’s final seven regular-season (and NCHC) games still finished with 16 points (including a freshman-best 10 assists) in 17 games. He is up against North Dakota’s Shane Pinto and Omaha’s Nolan Sullivan. Overall, Brink had 24 points in 28 games, and his 11 goals were third on DU.

A week ago, Mitchell and Pettersen were selected to the league’s first and second all-conference teams, respectively. While Chrona was named to the all-rookie team.

Mitchell’s 20 points in 24 NCHC games was third most among defensemen, while his seven goals were second among D-men in NCHC play. Overall, Mitchell finished second on the team in scoring with a career-high 32 points (10 goals) in 36 games.

Pettersen tied for fifth in the conference in scoring with 23 points in 24 games, and he led the league with five power-play goals among his 11 NCHC tallies. Overall, Pettersen was the Pioneers’ leading scorer with a career-high 35 points (13 goals) in 36 games.

Chrona was third in the NCHC in save percentage (.920) and goals-against average (2.17). He had a record of 7-5-4 in his 16 NCHC starts. Overall, Chrona went 16-6-4.

Analysis

While Mitchell’s nomination is about as surprising as the sun rising in the East (and yes, it still rises every morning), I’m impressed that the other three Pioneers gained recognition.

Brink missed eight games because of injury and playing for the U.S. World Junior championship team. It’s not out of the question he could have added another 6-8 points and led the team in goals. Had the playoffs been held he was practicing without an orange non-contact jersey last week and most likely would have been available.

Chrona gained a lion’s share of the early starts because of Devin Cooley‘s injury to start the season, but for nine weekends they split time. Think what his numbers could have been with 5-7 more starts.

Pettersen was outstanding, too, but he was one of six DU forwards with 20 or more points and one of five double-digit goal scorers. Coach David Carle likes to roll his lines, so imagine what numbers Pettersen would have put up if he was given even more ice time.

All in all, these are nice nods at the end of a season with a bizarre ending.

©First Line Editorial 2020