How much do size and experience matter on an NCAA Division I blue line?

Apparently not much as you might imagine if you go by Denver’s defense depth chart entering the 2021-22 season. Just three of the eight players stand taller than 6 feet, only three are upperclassmen, and one of those has rarely played.

Still, this is a group that features four NHL draft picks, including two second-rounders, so obviously the skill level is very good.

MORE SEASON PREVIEW

Part 1: The goaltenders

Collectively, this will be an interesting group to watch. What follows is a closer look in part two of our season preview.

Who’s back

So. Mike Benning: We were told the 5-foot-8 Florida Panthers draft choice was magic with the puck on his stick, and we were told correctly. He posted 11 points in 21 games and was very good on the power play. The defensive side of his game is rounding out. He’s also recovering from offseason surgery but played – and scored on a nice backdoor pass – in Saturday night’s exhibition.

So. Reid Irwin: He played half of DU’s 24 games last season, and when he did, he had his moments. Expect the 6-1 defender to play more this season and find the scoresheet more. He scored three goals in his limited time. He progressed over the course of the season.

Jr. Lane Krenzen: He got his first NCAA point last season (an assist) and is a reliable option for the coaches to turn to. Given how young the Pioneers’ blue line is this season, one has to wonder if he will get a chance to play more regularly.

Jr. Justin Lee: This is the hard hat player among the group. An assistant captain, Lee showed more of a scoring touch last season (four goals). But his calling cards are his toughness and defensive acumen. He can play in any situation because he also possesses a very good shot.

Sr. Kyle Mayhew: Blink and you  might miss him. Just 5-7, Mayhew skates like the wind and is positionally sound. His speed allows him to jump into plays and recover to defend as well as reaching loose pucks sooner than foes. His experience will be valuable to a young group.

So. Antti Tuomisto: The 6-5 Finn tied Benning for the team lead in points by a defenseman (11), and he was an every situation horse for the Pioneers. It’s hard to say the Red Wings draft pick (second round) will play a bigger role in Season No. 2 because he played a pretty big one last season. He’s one of the team’s best five players.

Who’s new

Sean Behrens: A second-round pick of the Colorado Avalanche, the 5-11 Behrens comes to DU straight from the U.S. National Team Development Program, where he piled up 53 points 69 games. An excellent skater, he’s strong with his stick, sound positionally and exceptionally competitive. It would be a shock if he doesn’t play top four minutes right out of the gate. He committed to Denver when he was 14 years old (in early 2018), back when that was allowed.

Shai Buium: Picked near the top of the second round by the Detroit Red Wings, the 6-3 Buium came in a year early when Slava Demin transferred. Buium  committed to DU in January of 2020. He spent parts of four seasons at Shattuck St. Mary’s Prep in Minnesota, although more of last season was spent in the USHL with Sioux City, where he had 26 points in 50 games. He’s an excellent passer and moves well for his size.

Who’s gone

Slava Demin: After a 14-point freshman season, the expectations for the Vegas Golden Knights draft pick (rights since traded to the Chicago Blackhawks) were high. And why not, he’s a big (6-2), smooth-skating defenseman. He totaled only 17 points combined the past two seasons and was scratched early in the 2020-21 campaign. Demin played better down the stretch, but the fit didn’t seem to be there for whatever reason. He entered the transfer portal and quickly was snapped up by defending national champion UMass.

Bo Hanson: The 6-2 Hanson’s biggest contribution likely was his playoff goal, while playing forward, against Omaha. The transfer from St. Lawrence couldn’t stay in the lineup consistently and transferred to Northern Michigan for this season.

Griffin Mendel: The 6-6 Mendel didn’t have the senior year he wanted (two assists after a nine-point junior year) and transferred to Quinnipiac. He was on the third pairing at the end of the year. Still, his size and defensive acumen would have come in handy this year.

The bottom line

This group has a ton of offensive ability, skates well and positionally should be sound. But a big part of being a defenseman is defending one on one, and a concern is if the Pioneers get pinned in their own zone by bigger, stronger attackers. Yes, DU espouses a team defense concept, but if the forwards spend too much time in their zone they’ll have less in the tank for offense. Expect some dynamic plays but some growing pains from a young cohort.

©First Line Editorial 2021