Wild Insider: From College Champion to NHL Prospect
The NHL world is abuzz with the news of Rieger Lorenz, a 22-year-old forward who has just won his second national championship in four years with the University of Denver Pioneers. But this isn't just any championship; it's a storybook ending for Lorenz, who has been a key player for the Pioneers and is now ready to take the next step in his hockey career.
A Storybook Ending
Lorenz' journey to the top has been a long and loud one. After a deep breath in the dressing room following the championship win, he exclaimed, 'Are you kidding me?!' It was a moment of pure elation for the 6-foot-3, 184-pound winger, who had just scored the game-tying goal in Denver's 2-1 victory over Wisconsin. This wasn't just any goal; it was the culmination of years of hard work and dedication, with Lorenz finally listening to his coach's advice to get in front of the net and bang home the rebound.
From College to NHL
Lorenz, a second-round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, is set to sign a two-year, entry-level deal with the Minnesota Wild, with the possibility of an amateur tryout to join the AHL Iowa for their final two games. This move is a significant step up for the young forward, who has already shown he's a big-game player, scoring in each of the Pioneers' two title games.
A More Finished Product
What's most impressive about Lorenz is his ability to tie together his offensive and defensive skills. In his first three years, he was very defensively focused, but he's now blending those two worlds together, which has helped him in the last season. This has led to a career-high 17 goals this season, a significant jump from six a year ago, while playing on the top line.
A Special Place
Lorenz' time at Denver has been a special one, with the school being a smaller, more intimate environment where hockey is the top sport on campus. He's grateful for the support and development he's received, saying, 'I know all three of us once we stepped on campus, we never wanted to leave.'
Looking Ahead
As Lorenz prepares to join the NHL, he's excited about the 'big changes' coming at the next level. However, he's also reflective about his time at Denver, which has been a crucial part of his development. He's proud of the player and man he's become, and he's grateful for the people who've helped him along the way.
Wild Prospects
In other Wild prospect news, Jimmy Clark, a 2023 seventh-round pick, has been informed by new University of Minnesota coach Brett Larson that there's no spot for him during his senior season. Clark is expected to enter the transfer portal this week, with Minnesota State being one of the schools that may pursue him.
NHL Debut
Meanwhile, Viking Gustafsson Nyberg is expected to make his NHL debut on Monday in St. Louis or in Tuesday's regular-season finale against Anaheim. Nyberg, a defenseman, is a former UConn teammate of assistant coach Nick Peruzzi, who originally recruited him out of Sweden. Peruzzi has a soft spot for Nyberg and his family, who have become like an extension of his family.
Bag Skates
The Wild have also been keeping their players on their toes with 'bag skates', which are daily skates for the scratches to put them through extensive game simulations, cardio, and other exercises to keep them in shape and ready to jump in and handle the rigors of an actual game. However, these skates have been particularly grueling for Daemon Hunt, who has been a mainstay with Nico Sturm, Robby Fabbri, and Jeff Petry.
Faceoff Circle
Finally, rookie Danila Yurov has set an offseason objective to improve in the faceoff circle. Of the 82 NHL centers that have taken at least 710 faceoffs, Yurov is the only one below 40 percent at a league-worst 39.4 percent. Coaches are now trying to change Yurov on the fly and not let him take defensive-zone draws, but they believe he'll get better with experience and continued work.
