Former Jet Goaltender O'Brien Dressing for SCSU Huskies in 2007-2008
Published on October 10, 2007 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Fargo-Moorhead Jets News Release
(St. Cloud, MN) How do you replace a two-time All-American goaltender?
If you're St. Cloud State, you cram as many candidates between the pipes - preferably at the same time, if the referee isn't looking.
Perhaps by the time you read this, the Huskies already will have taken their first strides toward answering the obvious question of the coming season.
Unless, say, you've been on a three-year religious retreat to Tibet, you already know they no longer have the security blanket of Bobby Goepfert.
Today, officially beginning practice with morning and evening workouts at the National Hockey Center, the trio of Jase Weslosky, B.J. O'Brien and Dan Dunn, will make their case to become the starter.
Weslosky, who played six games last season as a freshman and the second-youngest player in school history, will get first crack. But the others will get their opportunity, too.
"We all know the guy we're replacing," said Bob Motzko, who'll be without Goepfert for the first time as a head coach. "Goaltending for us is one of the most glaring unknowns in our league, and it's probably the one reason some people have lower expectations for us in the WCHA this year."
Weslosky went home during the off-season and came back about 15 pounds heavier.
When you sit on the bench most of the year, being 6-foot-2 and weighing 170 pounds is OK. With the possibility of assuming the No. 1 role, he needed some more oomph.
"Last year was probably the first time I've ever really lifted weights and this summer was the same thing," Weslosky said. "And the nutrition part of it is really big for me, too. It's not so much what I can't have, it's just that I have to keep things in moderation. When you go out for dinner, you can get refills on the pops, but you get a refill of water instead. I have to keep my diet a little bit healthier because this year is going to be harder on my body than last year."
Weslosky was 5-0 with a .928 save percentage and a 1.80 goals-against average until his last appearance - a 7-2 home loss to North Dakota that was like watching a car crash.
The Huskies could've subbed in O'Brien, but Motzko decided to keep open the possibility of redshirting him. (They're waiting to learn whether a one-period exhibition appearance will keep them from listing him as a freshman again.)
O'Brien, who last played during the 2005-06 NAHL season, worked this summer as an instructor at the Rick Heinz Goalie Schools. O'Brien traveled from Tampa, Fla., to Vancouver, British Columbia, and places in between - all with goaltending on his mind.
"I'm not going to get caught up in whether I'm playing or not," O'Brien said. "I just want to get to where my skills are peaking. With Bobby being gone, this is an opportunity for all of us."
Dunn, who is 6-5, 210 pounds, was a sixth-round pick of the Washington Capitals.
"He's athletic for a big kid," said Motzko, who has been able to be on the ice with his team for two hours in each of the past couple of weeks, thanks to a provisional NCAA rule. "We think Dan is a great prospect. B.J. has gotten better and just needs some game time. Jase will get the first nod, but there's no question we have a problem there that has to be solved. We don't expect any one of them to be the next Bobby. But some combination of them should give us a chance to win."
The FM Jets Junior A Hockey Club is in its fifth season as members of the North American Hockey League. The NAHL is the nation's largest Junior A hockey league and is now in its 32nd year of operation. For more information, visit fmjets.com or call (701) 235-2354.
Jets home games are played at the John E. Carlson Coliseum in Fargo, ND. All games are broadcasted on Today's Hot New Country 103.9 THE TRUCK, video broadcast through B/2 Network and audiosportsonline.com.
North American Hockey League Stories from October 10, 2007
- Former Jet Goaltender O'Brien Dressing for SCSU Huskies in 2007-2008 - Fargo-Moorhead Jets
- U.S. National Under-17 Team to Host Mahoning Valley Phantoms - U.S. National Team
- Outlaws update - North Iowa Outlaws
- Second NAHL Midget Showcase field announced - NAHL
- Bobcats start 14 game road swing - Bismarck Bobcats
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