Ten to Watch: College Hockey’s Top Defensemen
The following article featuring Rensselaer standout Nick Bailen, Harvard standout Danny Biega and Union standout Mat Bodie appeared September 28 on the U.S. College Hockey Online (USCHO) Web site.
By USCHO Arena Reporter
A solid defense is the cornerstore of every championship hockey team. When the stakes get higher, one-dimensional clubs fall by the wayside in favor of teams with strong blue lines.
The 2010-11 hockey season proved no exception to that rule as two talented clubs, Minnesota-Duluth and Michigan, built from the back line out, met for the national championship.
Here is a look at some choices for the top 10 defenders for the 2011-12 college hockey season:
9. Danny Biega, Harvard
Few defensemen lead their team in scoring, but that is exactly what Biega did a year ago as a sophomore, racking up 11 goals and 30 points in 34 games.
Though it’s hard to underestimate his impact offensively for the Crimson, the more impressive aspect of Biega’s career is the jump the Montreal native made between his freshman and sophomore seasons. Playing in 32 games as a freshman, Biega managed just nine points, while racking up 47 minutes in penalties. Last season, Biega’s offensive production tripled, but his penalty minute total dropped down to a more manageable 34.
That impressive maturation process has Harvard coach Ted Donato optimistic about Biega’s future as a leader of his building club.
“[Danny] really started to make the jump in the playoffs his freshman year and now he has grown into our best defensive player,” Donato said. “He’s a powerful skater with a quick shot release, who is physically dominant on the ice.”
7. Nick Bailen, Rensselaer
Few college transfers make a significant impact in their first season with a new team. But this was not the case for the Rensselaer sophomore, who stepped out onto the national stage in a big way in 2010-11.
Bailen’s college hockey career started at Bowling Green, where as freshman the Fredonia, N.Y., native amassed 16 points in 37 games. After sitting out the following year, Bailen came into his own at RPI last season, contributing eight goals and 36 points on an Engineers squad that made its first trip to the NCAA tournament since 1995.
Stepping into a leadership role this season, Rensselaer coach Seth Appert expects even bigger things for his talented defender.
“We had the best new player in our league last year,” Appert said of the then-sophomore Bailen. “With two captains from our defense now graduated, we need Nick to step up and [help] lead our young D corps.”
5. Mat Bodie, Union
2010-11 was a historic year for Union, which made a trip to the Division I NCAA tournament for the first time in school history. Led by Bodie, then a freshman, a much improved defense sparked the Dutchmen’s surge to the top of the ECAC Hockey standings.
In a league loaded with elite defensemen, Bodie stood out a year ago by playing a solid two-way game. Offensively, the East St. Paul, Manitoba, native was the catalyst for Union, finishing tied for fifth on the team with 32 points in 40 games, while also sparking the nation’s best power play (29.5 percent success rate). At the defensive end, Bodie helped the Dutchmen lead the ECAC in goals against (1.95).
“Mat Bodie is real budding star in college hockey,” Appert said. “He’s a really talented skater who gets around the ice so fluidly that it makes him quite a weapon.”
Complete article can be accessed via the USCHO Web site by clicking here.
