Wild prospect Rieger Lorenz's impressive sophomore season in College ends with a National Championship.
Wild prospect Rieger Lorenz's impressive sophomore season in College ends with a National Championship.
ST. PAUL - We have recently been talking about the Wild's future and how it looks bright with many of their prospects making their NHL debuts this season and other prospects tearing it up at the level they are playing at.
One in particular is Rieger Lorenz, who just won a National Championship with Denver University.
Lorenz was drafted by the Wild in the 2022 draft when they selected the Calgary, Alberta., native with the 56th overall pick. He was playing in Canada at the time the Wild drafted him but Lorenz made the decision to come to the United States to play College Hockey for Denver.
“When I came down here, when I was being recruited, seeing the quality of coaches and the quality of people," Lorenz said on why he decided to come to Denver. "It’s a winning culture and you get excited to be a part of that. So, yeah.”
In his first season with the Pioneers, Lorenz put up only two goals and nine points in 37 games but flourished in his sophomore season.
How did he do it? By improving his defensive game.
“I think my defensive game," said Lorenz on what has grown the most in his game. "Kind of completing that has helped me focus a little more offense. Going into games not worrying about my defensive game, it’s allowed me to produce a little more.”
The 6-foot-3 forward improved his defensive game and added a physical element to his game which helped him be trusted by David Carle, Denver's head coach, in big moments.
Take last night for example. Lorenz was on the ice in a 2-0 game in the National Championship. The goalie was pulled for the extra attacker and Lorenz was out there to defend a Boston College team that had five former first-round picks on the ice.
"He’s found a way to transform himself into what we talk about as finding a ‘B game.’ When he’s not scoring or producing he’s still adding a lot of value to the game," Carle said on Lorenz. "I think that’s something for a lot of young players that is hard to find."
It is impressive to see such a dramatic change in the two seasons for Lorenz. His first season saw him only put up two goals and not be trusted in situations that he is being trusted in now.
Now he finishes his second season of college hockey with 16 goals, 14 assists, 30 points, and a National Championship. Lorenz also made the All Tournament Team.
“Yeah, I think he’s very different in a good way," Carle said on Lorenz's growth. "Rieger had a very productive junior career and took part in Hockey Canada events. I think coming to Denver and playing at the College level and you know, he looks like a man but you forget that he is a true freshman sometimes. There was a lot of growth and maturity he has in his game."
Lorenz said he spent a lot of time looking at film with Matt Hendricks, Brad Bombardir, and Cody McLeod. The Wild's development staff helped him in the offseason and have created a great relationship with him.
But as Carle said, Lorenz found a 'B Game.' Which simply means, if the sophomore isn't scoring, he is doing other things right like playing good defensively.
"I think it’s a reason why many don’t ultimately make it," Carle said on why finding a 'B game' is so important. "There are only so many top-six spots in the NHL and those guys usually stay in the league for a while. There is not a lot of turnover there so the guys who find an itch in playing and finding a B game, and contributing to a team’s victory regardless of being productive, find success. He’s found that consistency.
"He made the decision, it’s all him. That’s what he was going to do and you look at the year he’s had, he’s got 16 goals and 14 assists. With my DU math that gets me to 30 [points]. That’s a pretty good year in College Hockey."
Not only has Lorenz grown his game but he has helped the Pioneers win a National Championship. Last night in their 2-0 win over Boston College, Lorenz set up the first goal and scored the second. He was also out there to protect the lead late. A true 200-foot type of player just continues to grow his game.
Lorenz is a player Wild fans should be excited for. Someone who is poised to make an impact in the NHL when his time comes. So watch out.
"He’s turned himself into a really good 200-foot winger and I’m really proud of him for wanting to buy in and learn," Carle said. "I think he’s shown all of us and the world that he can play on an NHL roster someday.”
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