U men's hockey: Schack contributes in his limited role

The senior has supplied a physical presence -- and even a goal -- for a depleted Gophers blue line.

By ROMAN AUGUSTOVIZ, Star Tribune

Last update: November 19, 2009 - 10:39 PM

Brian Schack went to the University of Minnesota to play hockey with eyes wide open.

"I never thought it was a possibility, but they made me an offer," said Schack, a senior who played at Totino-Grace and for one season with the North American Hockey League's Southern Minnesota Express.

"You can come in and be the No. 8 [defenseman] and probably not get to play, but we need someone in that role," Gophers coach Don Lucia recalls telling Schack. "Can you accept that?"

Schack readily agreed to walk on, then played in 28 of the Gophers' 44 games in 2006-07 because injuries depleted the lineup.

"I would have been happy playing just a couple games," he said.

Now, entering a weekend series with Minnesota Duluth, his team needs Schack again. The defensive corps is down to six after Nick Leddy suffered a broken jaw on Oct. 30 and Sam Lofquist left the team 10 days later.

Schack, who missed the Gophers' first four games because of an injury and was a healthy scratch the next three, is used to sitting. He played in only 12 games as a sophomore and 14 as a junior.

And when he does play, the 6-3, 225-pounder knows his role.

"We are not expecting Brian Schack to lead our team in offense, lead our team in minutes," Lucia said. "What we need Brian Schack to do is be a good defender, be a good penalty killer and a great teammate, and that is what he has done."

In his first game, Schack scored his second career goal in the Gophers' 5-2 victory at Wisconsin on Nov. 7.

"Me being able to play and scoring kind of put a little smile on a rough week for me," Schack said. His grandfather, Robert Schack, died Nov. 1 and Schack missed practice for the funeral two days later.

When his shot from the left point found the net against the Badgers, his teammates celebrated with extra gusto. "Everybody was loving it, everybody was laughing," Schack said. "Usually I am not the guy scoring."

Usually he is the guy congratulating others. Or the guy on his knees helping Lucia patch a rut in the ice before practice, as Schack did Wednesday. Or the guy who stands up for his teammates when games become chippy.

"He's a real team guy; people appreciate that," said Jay Barriball, a senior forward out for the season because of a knee injury.

A check from behind on Barriball was the last straw for Schack in a game against Minnesota State Mankato on Jan. 30 last season. Schack went after the perpetrator, Channing Boe, and Boe suffered a broken ankle in the ensuing pileup. Bloggers called Schack a goon, a hack; Lucia supported him.

"That game was getting out of hand," Schack said. "I just stepped in and did what I thought I had to do."

Schack, the enforcer, had 41 penalty minutes last season, but 37 came in two physical battles with North Dakota and the Mavericks.

"This year I've played in a couple games and not got a penalty yet, knock on wood," Schack said.

Leddy, the Wild's first-round draft pick this year, is expected back in two to four weeks, and Schack knows his playing time probably will diminish.

"[Leddy] will be a huge pickup," said Schack, savoring every game he plays. There may not be many more after this season.

"I love hockey," the 22-year-old said. "It is something I am passionate about. But I am getting old and I have some medical issues."

For the past couple of years, Schack's back ached when he lifted weighs. He had an MRI, which revealed a crooked, degenerative spine. His doctor told Schack he has the back of a 40- or 45-year-old man.

Schack, who has received financial aid about half his hockey career at the U, never has considered quitting, either when he was on the sidelines, or pondering the back diagnosis.

"When I make a decision, I go with it," he said.

Recent Gophers stories

Macklin, Parsons each score 20 as Florida beat Mississippi State 69-62 in SEC play - November 19, 2009

Macklin, Parsons each score 20 as Florida beat Mississippi State 69-62 in SEC play - Vernon Macklin and Chandler Parsons each scored 20 points to lead Florida to a 69-62 victory over Mississippi State on Saturday. More