Most of us enjoyed some rest, relaxation and plenty of food during the holidays.

Not the case for Denver’s Bobby Brink and Ian Mitchell, who worked during their break. The Pioneers duo spent all (in Brink’s case) or much (in Mitchell’s case) of their holiday in Europe doing what they love – playing hockey.

Brink was the youngest member of Team USA competing in the World Junior Championships in the Czech Republic, while Mitchell was the youngest member of Team Canada competing in the Spengler Cup in Switzerland.

The WJC features the top U20 players in the world competing against each other, and it’s a club Brink, who was a second-round draft pick of the Philadelphia Flyers in June, has ensconced himself in despite being just 18.

Mitchell’s selection came as more of a surprise because the Spengler Cup typically draws pros almost exclusively from European-based teams.

“I got a call in early or mid November. Sean Burke at Hockey Canada asked if I would be interested in coming to play for the team,” Mitchell said. “It came out of the blue for me. It was a great opportunity for me to play for Canada. It was really cool.”

Mitchell scored a power-play goal in the gold-medal game, which Canada won, 4-0, over HC Ocelari Trinic of the Czech Republic. He also had two assists in the tournament, which ran from Dec. 26-31 in Davos, Switzerland.

The Pioneers captain said the experience was highly instructive – and enjoyable.

“I saw first-hand what it takes to be a pro,” said Mitchell, a second-round pick of the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. “All of those guys have either played in the NHL or played professionally for a number of years.

“The way they prepared for games and the way they approach the game and the way they play, made it easier. They were always in the right spots. The flow of the game was really smooth. Those were things I took away.”

Brink stepped into a pressure cooker as soon as the Pioneers’ first half ended with a sweep of Colorado College on Dec. 14. Two days later he met his Team USA teammates in Plymouth, Mich., home of the U.S. National Team Development Program.

After a few days of practice, the final roster was determined and the team flew to the Czech Republic, where the focus of the hockey world shifted from the day after Christmas until this past Sunday.

“It was nerve wracking knowing there were a few more cuts,” Brink said.” You have to keep playing your game, playing hard. You can’t tighten up or be nervous.

“It’s an honor to represent your country. Everyone dreams of that. It’s such a big tournament, on such a big stage. It’s special.”

Mitchell knows that well. He played for Team Canada last year, when our northern neighbors hosted the event in British Columbia.

“We played on home soil so the pressure was immense,” Mitchell said. “Every game was sold out. Growing up you dream of playing for Team Canada, that was the only thing I wanted to do was win the gold medal at World Juniors.

“There’s a lot of pressure. The schedule they have you on is very intense. You don’t get to see your family very much. Coming back here was a huge relief off my shoulders.”

Not getting enough rest wasn’t an issue this year, Mitchell said. He had the luxury of being able to head home to Alberta for a week before heading overseas to meet his Team Canada teammates. And the tournament in Switzerland included plenty of downtime to sight see the picturesque surroundings.

In both cases, the players went with the blessing of DU coach David Carle, who said the international experience – even during the middle of the Pioneers’ season – are overwhelmingly positive.

“They return with a lot more confidence, and I think that’s what we saw with Bob on Saturday night,” Carle said. “I thought it was one of his most effective games attacking. And Ian looks like he’s playing like he’s got a weight off his shoulders.

“Last year coming back from the World Juniors, Ian had arguably his best game of the season that Friday night at Wisconsin in his first game back.”

Both players said the competitions have heightened their confidence, a factor that should bode well for DU as it heads into the meat of its NCHC schedule.

“You’re playing with and against the best players in the world at your age group,” said Brink, who returned to the Pioneers’ lineup less than a day after returning from Europe. “It’s huge.”

For Mitchell, the experience has current and future benefits.

“I felt I played well over there, and doing it against professional players was a big confidence boost that I can play at that level and play well,” the junior said. “The NCHC is a really good league, but it definitely helps knowing I can play at higher levels.”

©First Line Editorial 2020