ESPN

Mike Eidelbes

  (1:31 PM)

Good afternoon, and welcome to another Inside College Hockey chat on ESPN.com's 'The Show'. We're pleased to have George Gwozdecky, head coach of the defending champion Denver Pioneers, joining us today!

George Gwozdecky

  (1:32 PM)

I'm here and ready for your questions.

Bart (Shoreview, MN)

Coach, congrats on the title. Who among your young players do you see making big strides this year to become a star?

George Gwozdecky

  (1:35 PM)

We've got some big shoes to fill from last year's senior class. At this time, it looks like Matt Carle and Brett Skinner are off to real good starts. Jon Foster has seven goals, and J.D. Corbin has had a pronounced effect on our team. He's gained much confidence through last year's experience. Among freshmen, Geoff Paukovich and Paul Statsny have done a good job of contributing, and Glenn Fisher and Peter Mannino are developing with every minute they play.

Brad, Denver

As a longtime student and DU hockey fan, I have seen the last two goaltending tandems including the current one. Will there be a time this season where you would consider starting Fisher or Manino more than the other?

George Gwozdecky

  (1:39 PM)

There is that possibility. However, at this point in time, we'll continue to rotate Glenn and Peter and evaluate their progress. Both have played well, and yet both are still learning what it takes to be successful in the WCHA. Over our last two WCHA series, it seems to me that Peter has received the benefit of the team playing a little stronger in front of him on the second night of the series. We're hoping we can give Glenn that support on the first night.

Jim (Pittsburgh)

How is the NHL lockout affecting you?

George Gwozdecky

  (1:41 PM)

We have been the beneficiaries of the lockout in the sense that it's had a positive effect on season-ticket and single-game ticket sales and a slight increase in local media exposure. When you combine that with winning a national championship last spring, those two factors have had a pronounced effect on people being aware of our program.

Andrew (Franklin, MA)

Is Northeastern for real? We knocked off Maine and Providence last week, is this the year to atleast win a beanpot?

George Gwozdecky

  (1:45 PM)

That was a challenging game for us and difficult for Northeastern, too, because Game 3 of the ALCS was the night we played, and there was no one in the building...there was no one in the streets. Still, Northeastern played very well. They've got a great top line and a solid goaltender. I think they'll surprise a lot of people in their league and nationally because of some of the struggles they had last season.

Reid (Fargo, ND)

When making a championship run, is it more important to have a hot goaltender, or a impressive goal scorer, effective power play? All three are ideal, but which is the most important of the three.

George Gwozdecky

  (1:48 PM)

Give me Adam Berkhoel any day of the week! All three are necessary, but if you can only have one, a hot goaltender is the one that will have the biggest impact on the outcome of the game.

Joe ( Edina, MN )

What are your thoughts on your matchup with the University of Minnesota this weekend?

George Gwozdecky

  (1:51 PM)

Minnesota is probably not as deep offensively as they were last year. They lost some terrific players to graduation and the pros. Still, they're probably a much better team because of the chemistry they've developed. They're not getting outworked. Their special teams are performing well and, most important, Kellen Briggs is making timely saves and solidifying that position. This matchup features two teams that have changed quite a bit from last year. Both games will be hard fought. The only edge we might have is that we're playing at home.

Bob (Long Island)

Do you think Ryan Caldwell will make a good NHL player?

George Gwozdecky

  (1:57 PM)

I have no doubt Ryan will play in the NHL. He has the talent, he has the personality and he has the intelligence to be a very effective player for the Islanders. The only thing you can't bank on is his physical capacity to handle the rigors of the NHL season. Your body takes a lot of punishment. Ryan definitely doesn't have the body of a linebacker. He's going to have to be very careful and the team must be careful how they use him. But there's nobody tougher, and he's got the ability to play through pain and debilitating injury -- that was in evidence during the last two months of last season.

Mike Eidelbes

  (1:58 PM)

We've got time for one final question...

J-F (Quebec)

Is it a challenge to coach the son of a former star like Paul Stastny?

George Gwozdecky

  (2:01 PM)

Paul is a very talented player, he's hungry to learn, and he's extremely coachable. He's not the kind of athlete you have to continually motivate to work hard. He's attentive, detail-oriented and driven to succeed. When you have a player with talent and is coachable, the sky's the limit.

George Gwozdecky

  (2:02 PM)

Thanks for all your questions. I appreciate the opportunity.

Mike Eidelbes

  (2:03 PM)

Thanks, Coach. And thanks to you for joining Inside College Hockey at ESPN.com's "The Show." We'll see you in two weeks!