Another week, another former University of North Dakota hockey player has made their NHL debut. Even more exciting, a second former UND goalie has made his NHL debut in less than two weeks. On October 18, 2016, former Fighting Sioux and current San Jose Sharks goalie Aaron Dell made his NHL debut against former Fighting Sioux forward Brock Nelson and the New York Islanders, Dell’s team won the game 3-2.
If you’re a Boston Bruins fan by now you know a little more about goalie Zane McIntyre. While there’s not a big body of work, through two games, McIntyre is ranked second statistically among the four goalies that have played for the Bruins. That’s not saying a lot, the Bruins are a dumpster fire right now. With the injury to the Bruins top two goalies that gave Malcolm Subban and McIntyre a chance to showcase their abilities to the Bruins management. So far this season, the Bruins are 3-4-0 (.428) and appear to be going no where fast.
On Wednesday night, against the New York Rangers, the Bruins jumped to a quick 2-0 lead. But that two-goal lead didn’t last long, the Bruins let that lead slip away giving up five unanswered goals. The Bruins got into penalty trouble and the Rangers scored two power-play goals to beat the Bruins 5-2.
Against the Rangers, McIntyre stopped 26-of-31 shots, but I wouldn’t fault him for the loss. The players in front of him kind imploded and didn’t give him much support. Here are Zane’s comments following the game.
McIntyre’s stint in Boston might be coming to an end. Tuukka Rask is set to return from injury soon and McIntyre would probably be better served developing in Providence.
https://twitter.com/myregularface/status/791447502436302848
On Zane McIntyre and the coaches who wouldn't miss his 1st start for anything, by @KevinisInGoal, CC @BillPriceNHL : https://t.co/WB3Gak1FdL
— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) October 27, 2016
Back in 2015, I interviewed McIntyre for a late season article. In my five plus years of covering UND in hockey, McIntyre was one of the more entertaining interviews I’ve ever had. McIntyre is a very grounded and hasn’t forgotten where he came from and the people that helped him get to where he’s at today. His late grandmother Susie was one of the most influential people in his life.
Chatting with Zane McIntyre
Eric Burton, The Hockey Writers: Since the 2-5-2 start last season, you’ve gone on an insane run, what do you attribute that to?
Zane McIntyre: I think our team has come a long way. We’ve also gotten back to our brand of hockey that we’re accustomed to. We’re just working hard and coming to the rink and getting better. A lot of this has to do with the work we do with goaltending coach Karl Goehring.
EB: What went into your decision to come here?
ZM: Growing up, you just kind of fall in love with the UND tradition and what the program is about. I just wanted to stay close to home. I am pretty close to my family. It would be more difficult to see me playing out east. I was pretty fortunate to play in Fargo (Force) for junior hockey. Staying close to home in a two-hour radius was a huge factor.
EB: You’re an O.T. student as well?
ZM: Yes. I am a Psychology major with an emphasis in Occupational Therapy. With athletics, I wasn’t able to apply for graduate school. I could, but it would be very difficult to do. I am just in the process of getting my psych major and I will finish out all of my prerequisites for the O.T. program. Once hockey is done, whenever that may be, I can apply to O.T. school and away we go.
EB: So, education is really important for you?
ZM: Yep, for sure. If I wasn’t giving 100 percent in whatever I was doing, my grandmother would let me know. I think she was the biggest influence for my education as well.
EB: Do you have a favorite charity, or do you do some after school readings?
ZM: Every year I have gone back (to Fargo). There’s a lady that originally lived in Thief River, a second-grade teacher, Kayla Delzer (West Fargo). I go back every year for Christmas break. I would read to the kids and show them my gear. It has been a kind of a good tradition that we’ve started. This year was the fifth year that I’ve done this.
Delzer is a big UND fan. She went to UND and played on the golf team. It’s kind of cool to have that connection and go back and help them. I think that’s probably the most hands-on stuff that I do with the children. There’s the Special Olympics we do with the team. We also Skate with the youth hockey in Grand Forks.
EB: What would it mean to you if you made the Hobey Hat Trick?
ZM: It would be pretty cool. I think it would be really special to get that recognition, a little feather in your cap. It’s a cool individual accolade. Yeah. But at the end of the day, we’re playing for one thing and that’s national championship.
EB: It seems like this team is a really tight-knit group, is that a true observation?
ZM: I think there’s a lot of cohesion with this group. There are no egos. We have our fun and we’re a confident group. But at the end of the day, we come to the rink with a purpose. We try to get better and try to improve our team.
Coach Hakstol hit the nail on the head the other day. Every weekend, we try to set the bar a little bit higher. Each weekend after, we get a little bit higher. It’s definitely a work in progress. We knew that coming in at the start of the year. A big reason why (we’re so tight knit) is the leadership we have in our room and our coaching staff. They’re kind of the foundation; they kind of set the tone on how things operate at UND.
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