Former Cedar Rapids RoughRiders defenseman Eric Pohlkamp has committed to the University of Denver after leaving Bemidji State University earlier this week.
Former Cedar Rapids RoughRiders defenseman Eric Pohlkamp has recently committed to the University of Denver after leaving Bemidji State University earlier this week.
Pohlkamp had an outstanding freshman season for the Beavers, recording 11 goals and 13 assists in 32 games, making him the second-highest scoring rookie defensemen in the CCHA with 24 points. He also led all rookie blueliners in the conference in shots (123), finishing fourth overall behind forwards Sam Morton, Ryland Mosley, and Lucas Wahlin.
Nationally, Pohlkamp landed in the top ten for points among freshman defensemen, earning him CCHA Defenseman and Rookie of the Year Finalist nominations.
Pohlkamp will be joining David Carle's Denver program in 2024-25, which has a reputation for utilizing defensemen in the offensive attack.
Pioneers' freshman Zeev Buium (2024) and juniors Shai Buium (DET) and Sean Behrens (COL) are among the nation's Top-15 point-producers from the blueline. Behrens and Shai Buium may join their respective NHL clubs following Denver's season, prompting the Pioneers' interest in adding a player of Pohlkamp's caliber.
Before his one and only season with Bemidji State, the 20-year-old defender spent two seasons in the USHL for Cedar Rapids. In 2022-23, Pohlkamp finished tied for the most points (51) among all USHL defensemen.
He led all blueliners in power-play points (27) and shots (179) and finished tied for second in goals (16) and third in assists (35), earning him the USHL Defenseman of the Year award.
Pohlkamp, a Brainerd, Minn. native, also helped Team USA to a gold-medal finish at the 2024 World Juniors, contributing a goal and two assists in seven games.