If things had broken a little differently a few years back, Denver defenseman Lane Krenzen might have been entering Magness Arena as a visitor this weekend with the rest of the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs.

A native of Duluth, the State of Hockey was a big draw for Krenzen, but a last-minute call from DU changed the trajectory of his hockey career after several twists and turns during his junior years.

The affable junior took time recently to talk about that, his family’s affection for automobiles and what playing in Denver means to him in MagnessMayhem.com’s latest One-timers Q&A.

What are your favorite things about Denver and about the DU program?

As soon as I got here, the precedent was set that you come in, you work out with guys who have been here – NHL alumni, guys who are playing pro elsewhere. You realize how special it is pretty quick. It’s not like we’re coming from nowhere. We all have friends who play elsewhere, whether it’s out East or anywhere else in NCAA hockey. The culture here isn’t like anywhere else. You’re expected to come to the rink, even if you don’t feel that well or it’s not your day, and put your best foot forward for not just yourself but the program. It’s contagious, and it’s an honor to be a part of.

You’re from the Duluth area, and there is no shortage of Division I programs in the State of Hockey. So how did DU pry you out of there?

I had an unconventional route. I played three years in the North American Hockey League after high school and throughout my first couple of years I had some flirtations with other D-I schools. There was the potential to go to UMD if a few of their defensemen signed (pro contracts) early – Scott Perunovich and Dylan Samberg – and they ended up staying, so that door kind of closed there. As the years went on, it was a frustrating time. It was definitely hard but halfway through my final year one of the last schools I was talking to said no. I thought this was it, I’m going to go D-3. Playoffs rolled around and I was talking to one more school, and sure enough they said no. Three days before the end of my junior hockey career – we lost in the playoffs (in 2019) – the phone rang and it was Denver. They asked if I wanted to be a Pioneer, and it was pretty automatic. I was filling out the application for the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire when they called. It really was my only option, but I’m very honored to be here.

You have a brother who also plays D-I hockey, and also does not play in Minnesota. Is there a friendly rivalry?

(Our family) knew Nolan (a sophomore at Omaha) was going to be special pretty early on. He was playing up a year in Squirts and Pee Wees, and when he a freshman in high school and one of the best players on his varsity team, it accelerated from there. He left after his sophomore year of high school for the USHL, we really started to get close. I had played juniors for a few years, he was leaving home at a young age. It wasn’t the easiest for him. The friendly rivalry is definitely there, whether it’s floor hockey, street hockey, ping pong, whatever it is. I always give him the benefit of the doubt. He got more of the talent. It’s always exciting when we get to play him. Obviously you want to crush him, but at the same time you want to see him do well. We have a really good relationship that’s grown stronger over the years.

I understand your family is in the car business. How did that come about?

My grandpa started a car dealership, I believe in the Twin Cities area, and ended up moving up to Duluth with a partnership up there. Two uncles and my dad all started in the car business. My oldest uncle ended up running safari’s in Africa, so he left the business. My other uncle stayed in it, and my dad was in it a long time and retired first. My cousin is running it with his dad and a few other management guys.

It’s probably safe to say you’re a car guy, so what would your dream car be?

I always liked McLaren’s. That’s kind of a fun car. We were Honda and Nissan up there. When I come back to Minnesota, and I’m not getting it for a while, but five years from now or 20 years from now I want to get a nice truck because I want to get into hunting. I didn’t do a whole of it as a kid. A nice big GMC truck is the one I want, but I really like the McLaren’s if I could have any one one day.

What is the pregame meal of choice for you?

I don’t like to come to the rink too heavy on the days that I’m playing. I’ll eat the pregame meal here. We’ll have chicken, pasta, vegetables. I might have a little bit of some fruit or peanut butter toast before I leave. Once I get here it’s just bagels and crush the entire bucket of Double Bubble.

Who are the comedians on this season’s team?

We’ve got a lot of them. The sophomore class is pretty notorious. They’re fun, they’re energetic, they’re loud. Away from the rink they have a good time. Between McKade Webster, Jack Works, Mike Benning there is a lot there. And (senior) Ryan Barrow is pretty funny. He’s been here a while and knows all the inside jokes. (Fellow senior) Kyle Mayhew is a funny guy. But any of this year’s sophomore are pretty hilarious.

We’re also taking nominations for President from the Pioneers’ locker room, so who would be your choice?

I’m trying to think of who would be a good step-up-to-the-plate kind of guy. Carter King is a safe option. He’s our bio major. He’s pretty level headed. I think Barrow would be a good option. He’s been around a while, he knows the in’s and out’s of how things get done. Or if we want to have fun with it, McKade Webster. He’d be more dramatic.

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