Justin Schultz won’t be making any official decisions about his hockey playing future for at least another month.
But to hear Schultz’s University of Wisconsin coach talk about his star defenceman, the talented bueliner could be playing his final games of NCAA hockey this season, the third season at Wisconsin for the Westside Minor Hockey product and Anaheim Ducks draft pick.
“I think it’s a foregone conclusion that Justin is going to be gone after this season,” said Mike Eaves, Wisconsin’s head coach and a former NHL player. “It’s not written in stone but based on history…Justin is a top-end guy and if they stay for three years, that’s a bonus.”
If it is his final season in the NCAA, Schultz is going out with a bang. The 6-foot-2, 186 pound defenceman is considered one of the best players in American college hockey. He’s in serious contention for the Hobey Baker award as the NCAA’s top player is second in Wisconsin team scoring with 38 points in 26 games and is the fourth leading scorer in his conference, the WCHA.
“He keeps growing in his confidence and he keeps developing as a young man and with his leadership,” said Eaves. “Everything is moving in a very positive direction and we’re happy to be a part of it.”
After a two year career with the Westside Warriors, Schultz was drafted in the third round of the NHL Entry Draft by the Anaheim Ducks. When he completed his second season at Wisconsin last year, the Ducks lobbied hard for Schultz to leave school and go pro.
Schultz though had his mind made up early and returned to school this year for his junior season, majoring in Life Science Communications, a journalism program at Wisconsin.
According to Eaves, athletes who leave college after three years are to finish their degree 90 per cent of the time while someone who leaves after two years is less than 50 per cent likely to complete their schooling.
Schultz says he won’t make any decisions until after Wisconsin’s season but admits it’s great to be so close to joining a pro hockey team.
“I’ve dreamt about making that step to the pro game and I get a little nervous when I think about it,” he said. “I’m excited. I can’t wait for that time. I think coming back for my third year of schooling has helped me get stronger and can make sure I’m ready to make that jump when the time is right. The defensive part of my game is what has been holding me back and that’s what I have learned in my last three years is how to play better defensively.”
Schultz’s rise to prominence in the NCAA doesn’t come as much of a surprise to those who watched his career. Always a gifted offensive player and great skater, the West Kelowna native won the BCHL Interior Conference top defenceman both of his seasons with the Warriors.
Now 21, Schultz says it seems like ages ago when he made his debut as a 16-year-old affiliate player, scoring the winning goal in his very first game.
“It seems like awhile ago,” he said. “Going into junior hockey I thought was a huge jump and I thought ‘wow these guys are pretty good, I don’t know how I’m going to play college.’ My time with the Warriors helped kick-start my career. It was two of the best years of my life and I will never forget it.”
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Although it only counts a fraction towards the voting for the Hobey Baker award, given to the top male hockey player in the NCAA, fans who would like to throw their support behind Justin Schultz can do so online.
Fan voting will count one per cent towards the final tally for the annual award for skills on and off the ice, scholastic achievement, integrity and sportsmanship.
Schultz was a top 10 finalist for the Hobey Baker last season and says it’s an honour to be up for the award again.
“It’s exciting,” he said. “I got a little taste of it last year and in my freshman year my teammate Blake Geoffrion won it. Coming here I never thought I would be considered one of the best players in all of college hockey. It’s pretty cool to have your name mentioned up there with some great players. It’s humbling.”
Coaches and media will also vote for the annual Hobey Baker winner and the winner will be announced April 6.
Schultz’s coach at the University of Wisconsin says the West Kelowna native is at least amongst the top 5 players in the NCAA.
“He is a dominant player on the ice,” said coach Mike Eaves. “He’s one of those guys that can and does control the pace of the game. Our coaching staff believes he is definitely in the top five for sure.”
You can cast a ballot for the Hobey Baker award at www.hobeybakeraward.com.
