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The freshman from Littleton, Colo., is 7-5-2 with a 2.35 goals-against average and a .922 save percentage. After a slow start to his UNO career because of mononucleosis, he gradually worked his way into more steady work, getting the start in seven straight games for which he was healthy before serving as the backup Saturday at Colorado College. He entered that game in the third period with a 3-2 deficit and made 15 saves as the Mavericks rallied for a 5-3 victory. He also got his first career shutout Feb. 11 at Michigan Tech, one night after he was pulled in the first period after allowing two goals.

Q: You guys got the official word on Tuesday that you will play an outdoor game next year against North Dakota at TD Ameritrade Park. What do you think of that?

A: It's extremely exciting. Being able to watch the Winter Classic the last several years, the amount of interest it's generated amongst hockey fans, and having it not only at the NHL level but in the NCAA, too, I think it's great. It's great for the city of Omaha and the state of Nebraska. Having an up-and-coming hockey program, being able to play in that phenomenal new park in front of 20,000 people, it's something that brings you back to hockey's roots and it's going to be an exciting experience that I'm sure everyone is chomping at the bit to be a part of.

Q: When you see other players, even on the college level, playing outdoor games, do you find yourself wishing that you'd get that chance?

A: Absolutely. Every year watching the Winter Classic, no matter how cold it is or whether the conditions are good or bad, that environment, that atmosphere, the snow falling, under the cover of lights, playing for your school against a WCHA rival in the dead of winter outdoors, it's certainly something that isn't experienced all the time. It's a lifetime experience that we're all looking forward to being a part of and that we'll definitely remember for the rest of our lives.

Q: OK, how did you get your start as a goalie?

A: The first game I ever played I was 6 years old, and I played goalie. I got a shutout my first game. I may have two or three career games as a forward under my belt, but that's about it.

Q: So you just decided you wanted to be a goalie? What led to that?

A: I don't know. I just hated getting scored on. I figured they would just have to beat me to get a goal. In practice, they'd make me skate out and stuff, and I'd still just dive for pucks. There's obviously something wrong with me to begin with, but you've got to be a little bit crazy to do this, for sure.

Q: Any hockey in your family history?

A: Neither of my parents played, but they grew up in New England and they would flood their parents' backyard and skate. My uncle played and he's probably the biggest hockey influence in my family. My parents played basketball ... all the normal sports, but not hockey.

Q: Was there any player you looked up to or tried to pattern your game after?

A: Patrick Roy. I had a really good relationship with him, got to play with his sons while he was in Colorado. He came out and worked with me quite a bit on my fundamentals. That's something that not everyone can experience. I credit a lot of my fundamentals with what he taught me.

Q: Patrick Roy? That's a pretty good guy to work with. Did you reach out to him, or did he reach out to you?

A: One of his sons was in my age group and we played on the same club team pretty much every year. His older son was a goaltender, but the one my age was a forward. He would just come out on the ice and skate with us. He'd stand right behind me and pick me up and show me what angles were there. ... Each year he'd advance the difficulty of what he'd show me.

Q: Back at Michigan Tech, (Coach) Dean (Blais) said he told you as soon as he pulled you Friday (at Michigan Tech) that you would start the next night. How difficult is it to bounce back?

A: It certainly comes with the job description that you have to have a short memory. You have to refocus and readjust in a short period of time and be significantly better the next time. I got the second chance to do so.

Q: What do you do when you're not playing hockey?

A: Lately I've been really enjoying reading some books. Just casual reading not involving school or hockey, just my own choices. Right now I'm reading some Stephen King. And I've been watching "Luck" on HBO, a new show about horse racing and a bunch of us are getting into that.

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