What Denver’s 2018 senior class might lack in overall numbers, it more than makes up for in terms of its sheer impact upon the program.

The quartet includes captain Tariq Hammond, reigning Mike Richter Award winner Tanner Jaillet, forward Rudy Junda and assistant captain Adam Plant.

Here’s a closer look at each:

Defenseman Tariq Hammond

It’s unfortunate that one of the lasting images many might have of the Pioneers’ captain was the devastating injury he suffered in last April’s national championship game, but his return to the ice to celebrate with his teammates is a far more lasting image of triumph.  And triumph – and the will to triumph – is what Hammond has been all about at DU.

The 6-foot-2, 200-pound defenseman blends toughness, defensive responsibility and underrated skating and skill into a package that has pro scouts salivating. And bear in mind, this is a player who scored 39 points in his final junior season. Yet Hammond’s journey to this point was anything but simple.

“Tariq Hammond is a captain for a reason – because of the quality person he is and how tough he is mentally,” said Pioneers coach Jim Montgomery, himself a college captain at Maine. “He’s overcome adversity in his life time and time again.

“His freshman year he didn’t play much (10 games) but he worked hard and didn’t get down. His sophomore year he was ready to take advantage of the opportunities in front of him with three graduating seniors. He became a nucleus player.”

Hammond, a 1993 birth year, wrote another chapter to his comeback this season when he returned to Denver’s lineup after missing just the first 10 games. When he’s said his rehab after multiple surgeries required a full-time commitment, he wasn’t exaggerating. The Calgary native spent hour upon hour every day working on his mobility, flexibility and strength for months before he could even think of lacing up skates again. Tasks you and I take for granted, such as walking, had to be relearned.

“He overcome adversity again this year,” Montgomery said. “Most people wouldn’t be playing until now or four months from now. (His return in the fall was) a testament to who he is and how he was raised.

“I think he gets better every game. Next year when he’s in the pros, he’ll be even better. Any joint issue, it takes at least year to 18 months to get back to where you were. He’s a fierce competitor, and he’s having such a profound effect because of his will.”

Teammates took note long before Hammond’s comeback, however.

“On the ice (Hammond and Plant) did the same thing I wanted to do with Mitchy (freshman Ian Mitchell), take me on their wing and show me how it was done around here,” junior defenseman Blake Hillman said. “They expect so much and you’ve got to work every day.”

That work ethic has Hammond in a position to lead the Pioneers to the NCAA promised land again.

Magness Mayhem’s one-on-on with Hammond

Goaltender Tanner Jaillet

Like Hammond, Jaillet was a product of the Alberta Junior Hockey League, and he wasted little time establishing himself as a starting-caliber goaltender for the Pioneers.

And he’s been a consistent one – winning 15, 17, 28 and 16 games (so far this season). He’s closing in on DU’s school record for victories, which he could get in either the NCHC or NCAA tournaments. That would go nicely with the school’s all-time games played mark and potentially ones for save percentage and goals-against average.

The 1993 birth year’s consistency in those areas is remarkable as well – .917, .922, .929, .928 and 2.35, 2.27, 1.84, 1.89. As impressive as that is, Jaillet brings a steadiness of demeanor that has been particularly valuable to the Pioneers’ more youthful locker room this season.

“Never in our wildest dreams could we expect anybody to do what he’s done as a goaltender,” Montgomery said. “His hockey sense, determination to get better on and off the ice – his work ethic – has led him to have success.

“Every year he’s become a more vocal leader. He has no problem holding teammates accountable. It’s really nice to see his development as a person.”

The future pro’s calm veneer masks the fact that on the ice he’s rather vocal, and that is a heavy plus, Hillman said.

“He’s lights out. He’s probably the best goalie I’ve had behind me ever, and one thing that makes him that best goalie is the amount of talk he has with us D men,” the junior said. “When we’re going back for pucks, he’s telling us if he wants us to wheel the puck or reverse or if there is a guy on. There’s that level of trust we have with each. That’s something I really, really like.”

The Pioneers’ last line of defense has moved to the head of the NCAA class once, and he’s primed to take another run at it.

Magness Mayhem’s one-on-one with Jaillet

Forward Rudy Junda

Junda sat back last season and watched then-senior and fellow Colorado native Evan Ritt work his way into an integral part of a championship team at DU. Junda told me he took pride in his longtime friend’s accomplishments, and it further motivated him to replicate Ritt’s path this season.

Mission accomplished by one of the most beloved Pioneers on this season’s roster.

“He’s a great guy,” Hillman said. “He’s such a good character guy and locker room guy. He’ll crack a joke. He’s just a good mellow, light-hearted guy.

“He’s a lot like Rittsy, he didn’t play much until his senior year, and he’s really relishing it now and taking it to the next level. I’m really happy to see him playing a lot and playing well. The weekend against (Colorado College) was one of the best times I‘ve seen him play here. I’m happy for him because he deserves everything he’s getting.”

Junda has more than doubled his career appearances with his 24 and counting this season. After playing the in-and-out-of-the-lineup game, his name is now marked on the line chart in ink.

“He’s been incredible,” Montgomery said. “This year he has taken his oportunity to play. He’s confident in his role and it shows in how much he relishes it.

“If anyone has been our most improved player, it’s Rudy. He’s someone we cannot live without in our lineup now, which is a tremendous compliment.

“It’s hard to sit out, yet he’s never once complained, never once had a bad attitude. He was always a good teammate, now he’s a great teammate. His work ethic is everything as a student-athlete we’d hope every player wants to be who comes here.”

Magness Mayhem’s one-on-one with Junda

Defenseman Adam Plant

The quiet one. Plant won’t waste words off the ice or any movements on it, and he doesn’t need to with what is one of the team’s most dynamic skating strides.

If it seems as though Plant has been around DU for a decade it’s because the product of the British Columbia Hockey League stepped right into the lineup as a freshman and has played just about every night since. He was among the NCAA’s leaders in games played before head and neck ailments sidelined him for nine games this season.

Much like his Canadian brethren in this group, the 1995 birth year has been remarkably consistent. Pencil him in for at least 10 points while playing in any situation he’s needed.

“He’s been an integral part of our D corps from Day 1,” Montgomery said. “We expected him to be offensive defenseman for us, and he has been a shutdown defenseman whose offensive game has grown by leaps and bounds. He makes an impact all 200 feet.

“He – and all of the seniors – are a tremendous influence because of how they prepare, how hard they compete. Watching them translate that into success in games has affected every underclassman underneath them.”

Count Hillman in that group.

“I’ve been closer to (Plant and Hammond) because they’re only a year older than me and I’ve been with them three years now,” he said. “This is my first year living with Adam. We’ve become good friends, close friends.”

Plant also has substantial potential for the next level, something he showed at the Minnesota Wild’s prospect camp last summer. But first things first, the man who teamed with Hobey Baker winner Will Butcher to form DU’s shutdown pair last season will be counted on for an encore in the coming weeks.

Magness Mayhem’s one-on-one with Plant

Mayhem’s send-off

I expect this group to be playing into April again. They’ve helped facilitate that for DU the past two seasons, and they’re leading a team that has the potential to do it again.

Individually and collectively, this is a tremendous group of humans. All are straight shooters but all have very good to excellent senses of humor.

They are the first group at DU I’ve had the privilege of writing about all four years of their time here – first for the dearly departed Colorado Rubber Hockey Magazine and for the past three seasons for this blog. I cannot emphasize to you – or them – what an honor it has been to write about their achievements on the ice and get to know them a bit off the ice.

The last word …

“All four have developed a tremendous amount on the ice and off the ice,” Montgomery said. “That’s why Saturday will be hard because I’m so proud of these guys.”

©First Line Editorial 2017-18