Nov. 13—GRAND FORKS — E.J. Emery was the youngest defenseman in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference last season.
He was thrust into a massive role when UND’s top right-handed defenseman, Bennett Zmolek, suffered a season-ending injury in the first game. Emery was asked to play big minutes against the opponent’s best players.
It was a steep learning curve — but it’s paying off now.
Emery is back for his sophomore season and has taken a big step.
“I put a lot of work in the offseason,” Emery said. “It feels a lot better now. I’m able to get around and move the puck a little bit better. I feel a lot more comfortable, I’d say.”
Emery was limited in fall practices due to a lower-body injury. He sat out of the team’s preseason scrimmage and preseason exhibition against the University of Manitoba.
He also missed the regular-season opener against St. Thomas in Ralph Engelstad Arena.
Emery made his season debut in the series finale against the Tommies in Grand Casino Arena, playing 12 minutes, 55 seconds.
In Game 2, he scored his first two collegiate goals against rival Minnesota. His first goal tied the game in the first period. His second one gave UND the lead for good in the third.
“I know it was tough for him missing early parts of the season in regards to training camp and even the early part of the season as well,” UND associate head coach Matt Smaby said. “I think his game has continued to grow. His skating is an asset for sure in regards to shutting plays down. It looks like he’s playing with more and more confidence. Putting a couple pucks in the net is always something that boosts a young guy up.”
Emery had an assist during last weekend’s two-game sweep of Omaha. After tallying one point as a freshman, he has three in the first month of his sophomore season.
Emery has picked good times to jump in the play offensively, while still playing a shutdown role as a defender.
The New York Rangers first-round draft pick is one of UND’s primary penalty killers.
“He’s played really sound defensively,” Smaby said. “It’s been kind of fun for us as a staff to watch him continue to grow and get better and better every weekend.”
Five UND recruits are on Team USA for the World Junior A Challenge.
Forward Carson Pilgrim of Warroad, Minn., forward Ashton Schultz, forward Carter Sanderson, defenseman Garrett Lindberg of Moorhead and goaltender Caleb Heil will play for the American team.
All five players are currently in the United States Hockey League.
The World Junior A Challenge is scheduled from Dec. 7-13 in Trois-Rivières, Quebec.
Heil, a Tampa Bay Lightning draft pick, will compete in the World Junior A Challenge for the third year in a row.
When: 7:07 p.m. Friday, 6:07 p.m. Saturday.
Where: Ralph Engelstad Arena.
TV: Midco Sports Network (GF Ch. 27/622 HD).
Radio: The Fox (96.1 FM).
Stream: NCHChockey.com.
