In case Denver hockey fans forgot the skill that senior Brett Stapley can bring to the lineup, they received a reminder last weekend against Arizona State.

The center, who was a 2018 draft choice of the Montreal Canadiens, torched the Sun Devils for four goals on his way to being selected the NCHC’s Forward of the Week.

All the attention on the Pioneers’ talented underclassmen has left Stapley a bit overshadowed at times, but it’s important to note that he’s scoring at better than a point-per-game clip (15 in 14 games), and his six goals already are a career high. So it’s not as if he’s chopped liver. He posted 30 points as a sophomore after a 19-point freshman campaign. Last season, he was derailed by a second shoulder surgery, but he says he’s back and good as new.

A highly skilled stick handler and passer, he graciously took time this week to tee up some one-timers off some sweet Magness Mayhem feeds.

Brett, do you remember the last time you had a hat trick?

It was probably in my last year of junior hockey (2017-18 with Vernon of the British Columbia Hockey League).

What have been your favorite parts of playing at DU?

The campus is beautiful, that’s one of my favorite things. It’s always sunny here. Where I’m from (Campbell River, B.C.) there are two seasons – a lot of rain and then the sun. It’s more consistently warm here. The mountain range is beautiful too. … Another thing is our locker room. It’s incredible. We’re super lucky and fortunate to have it.

Denver senior Brett Stapley. Photo courtesy of Shannon Valerio and Denver Athletics

When you have some free time, what hobbies do you enjoy?

There’s not a lot of it, especially when school is going on. I like to watch movies and TV shows on Netflix and play video games. The games can get fun when all the guys are on together.

I also like to get outdoors and explore Colorado. I’ve been to a fair share of fresh water lakes to fish. I tried fly fishing, too.

Have you always fished?

Yes. My dad takes us salmon fishing, more deep water fishing than here. I also like to ski a lot, and I like boating.

What are your favorite hockey memories at DU?

Winning the Gold Pan. In 2019, winning the NCAA Regional in Fargo and going to the Frozen Four my freshman year. That showed how special college hockey is here.

That team had lost a lot of players to the NHL the previous spring, and it was coach David Carle’s first season. That was a fun run to watch.

Our motto was “Prove them wrong.” A lot of people told us we had no chance because of who we didn’t have. That motivated a lot of guys because we did have a special group of players.

Who have been some of the leaders who’ve impacted you at DU?

Early on, (Colin) Staub and Luko (Jared Lukosevicius), they left a lasting impact on me. Luko was the more intense one. Staub was very supportive in a different way. Just seeing the two styles and what Denver hockey means. All of the captains that year had to bring all these new guys under their wing and show them the ropes. That’s a culture that continues to be passed on here. Team first is the mentality is instilled here, and it creates success.

What are some of your fondest memories in hockey growing up?

Winning the Western Canadian Bantam championships with the same kids I grew up playing with at North Shore Winter Club or in spring hockey. We won the Provincials a couple years in a row.

After that it was special to play in Vernon for the Vipers and play for Team B.C. just before Junior. I went to the Canada Winter Games. It was exciting to have the opportunity to play for Canada West and win gold in the World Jr. A Challenge. Then coming to DU and getting drafted that year was pretty special, too.

What do you recall about draft day? Did you have any idea about Montreal’s interest?

I had a pretty strong relationship with the Canadians going into the draft. I wasn’t certain, but I was hopeful. They told me the year before they had passed on me to get a goalie. So at least I was on their radar. … I was already in Denver with the freshmen, training in the gym, that’s when we got a call. We keep a good relationship with (player development coach) Rob Ramage.

Who are some of the funny guys on the Pioneers?

Jack Works has humor that makes me laugh every time. There’s more guys than him, but he’s the funniest to me. He makes really logical comments that catch people off guard.

What is your dream breakfast?

Eggs, French toast, bacon, OJ, and hash browns being fed by to me by my girlfriend … on a beach somewhere.

What areas have you grown the most while at Denver?

I’m better at school. When I first got here I panicked. It was a wreck. I figured it out. Our whole class figured out real quickly how to handle it. It made us stronger on the ice.

The other area is my health. Both of my wings had to be brought back. I had two surgeries within two years. I can’t thank the athletic trainers and Shawzie (Matt Shaw) enough for their help.

©First Line Editorial 2021