University of Minnesota Athletics
Positive Marks; Gopher Senior Defenseman Mark Nenovich
11/16/2001 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
Mark Nenovich began playing hockey as a kid growing up in Wayzata, Minn. Even then, he knew that playing for Minnesota's Pride on Ice was a goal he wanted to achieve. As a little boy, he would sit in the stands, imagining himself skating in a maroon and gold uniform. "I would always come to the games when I was little. When I would come here and watch, I knew that I wanted to play here someday," Nenovich said.
Three years ago, Mark's childhood dream was realized. He joined the Minnesota hockey team and suited up as a Golden Gopher. But the road through the University has not been an easy one to travel for Nenovich. Not only did he go through a coaching change and a turn-around of the hockey program. There have also been issues with his amount of time on the ice.
In his freshman year, he appeared in 13 games, and, by his sophomore year, his time on the ice had increased to 28 games, including appearing in 21 of the team's final 24 contests. But, last year, his junior year, the path Mark was on at the University had more bumps than a braille edition of War and Peace.
The addition of last year's freshman class, most of them coming from junior hockey programs, made the competition for playing time more fierce. Nenovich appeared in only nine games last season and sat out of the final twenty.
Even though last season is not exactly how Mark may have planned it, the lack of minutes did not dampen his thoughts of playing for Minnesota. Coming into his senior season, Nenovich is unsure of what his final months as part of Minnesota's Pride on Ice will hold. But there is one thing that will remain consistent - his positive attitude. "I just try to make the most of every game," Nenovich said. "I go out there and play as hard as I can. Every time I'm out there I want to improve and help out the team."
Nenovich certainly cannot be described as selfish. Like every player, he is aware of his statistics and tries to improve them when he is on the ice. But what matters most, and what should be every player's main concern, is how the team is performing. When he is on the ice, Nenovich's goal is to help the team, whether that is scoring a goal, making an assist or keeping the puck out of his own net. A true team player should be judged, not by his final statistics, but by how much he has contributed, both on and off the ice, to the overall accomplishments of the team.
In the five games he has been in the line-up this season, Nenovich has been paired with Minnesota's Hobey Baker Award candidate, Jordan Leopold. The pairing has been a successful one and one with which Nenovich has been happy and excited. Fans and coaches are not the only ones impressed with his skills. On playing with Jordan, Nenovich said, "Leopold is easy to play with. He's so smart on the ice; he's in the right position all the time."
When Nenovich, Leopold and the other defensive seniors step off the ice for the final time, Mark is confident in the defensive players that remain on the roster for next year. The impressive play of Paul Martin, with his team-leading 13 assists, freshmen Keith Ballard and Judd Stevens, along with other underclassmen defensemen, has Nenovich very excited. "The guys coming up are doing well both offensively and defensively. Their strength is really impressive," Nenovich said. Even though every class likes to think that their players are irreplaceable, it is comforting to know that the Golden Gopher defensive lines will be left in good hands.
Passing the torch onto the underclassmen will be difficult, but Nenovich has tried to be a leader for the younger players, especially with the freshmen. "I try to be a role model for the freshmen," Nenovich commented. "As a senior, I can really direct them on the right path and kind of show them the way."
One freshman in particular that Nenovich feels he can connect with and direct is defenseman Brett MacKinnon. The two played together for two years at Wayzata High School, where Nenovich was named MVP of the hockey team his senior year, and they are excited to be on the same team again. Nenovich especially feels a bond with MacKinnon: "It is a lot of fun to play with [Brett] again. We've become good friends. It's nice to have someone who knows your hometown. I feel like I can show him the path here at the U."
Other players on the team that Nenovich has become closer with are his roommates, senior centers Nick Anthony and Pat O'Leary. Living with teammates has its advantages, including running on the same timetable and a better understanding than the average roommate of what a player may be dealing with. "[It] is really nice because we're all on the same schedule with practice and sleeping and everything. We've gotten to know each other really well and it's just a lot of fun," Nenovich remarked.
When he is not hanging out at his apartment, he is studying for his degree in communications. Although this is his senior year on the hockey team, Nenovich plans on staying in school for another year to complete his education.
Certainly one thing Mark wants to complete with a bang is his time playing for the University of Minnesota. One of the major goals that the Golden Gophers are maybe tackling a little more aggressively this year is the NCAA Frozen Four in April at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. Their spectacular playing thus far into the season and the fact that it is taking place in their "backyard" is encouraging to the players, but may also add more pressure to reach that final stop than they have dealt with in past years. When Mark thinks of what could happen in April, the exciting possibilities start swirling around in his head: "It would be a dream to get there. Hopefully we can continue playing well through the rest of the season. It would be a dream come true to win as a team at home."
One of the most important rungs on the ladder to the Frozen Four is the Golden Gopher defense. The outstanding start to the season was somewhat expected and has been relatively consistent over the nine games played, but needs to remain solid throughout the rest of the season for that ultimate dream to become a reality. As a member of the highly-touted Golden Gopher defense, Nenovich is very pleased with what he sees on the ice: "We have a good senior class. Defensively, we are very strong. Others are stepping in and playing well. If we can keep performing the way we have been, this team will go really far."
Few people in athletics realize that an athlete does not always have to be a star for his teammates to look up to him. Oftentimes, some of the most influential people on a team are those that are in the spotlight the least. They do not get caught up with themselves. Rather, they are more focused on the team's goals and what needs to get done to reach them. Mark Nenovich goes out everyday and works hard, not for his own personal glory, but so his team may become a little closer to reaching their goals. And that is what sports should be all about in the first place.
Written by Men's Athletics Media Relations Intern, Courtney Walerius One of the most impressive parts of the 2001-02 Golden Gopher men's hockey season has been the outstanding defense. Each class has made major contributions to help the Minnesota defense become one of the best in the nation. To help the Golden Gophers reach this level of success, there has been excellent leadership from the senior defensemen, including Mark Nenovich. With the help of his senior teammates, he hopes to guide this top-ranked hockey team to the Xcel Energy Center in April.
Mark Nenovich began playing hockey as a kid growing up in Wayzata, Minn. Even then, he knew that playing for Minnesota's Pride on Ice was a goal he wanted to achieve. As a little boy, he would sit in the stands, imagining himself skating in a maroon and gold uniform. "I would always come to the games when I was little. When I would come here and watch, I knew that I wanted to play here someday," Nenovich said.
Three years ago, Mark's childhood dream was realized. He joined the Minnesota hockey team and suited up as a Golden Gopher. But the road through the University has not been an easy one to travel for Nenovich. Not only did he go through a coaching change and a turn-around of the hockey program. There have also been issues with his amount of time on the ice.
In his freshman year, he appeared in 13 games, and, by his sophomore year, his time on the ice had increased to 28 games, including appearing in 21 of the team's final 24 contests. But, last year, his junior year, the path Mark was on at the University had more bumps than a braille edition of War and Peace.
The addition of last year's freshman class, most of them coming from junior hockey programs, made the competition for playing time more fierce. Nenovich appeared in only nine games last season and sat out of the final twenty.
Even though last season is not exactly how Mark may have planned it, the lack of minutes did not dampen his thoughts of playing for Minnesota. Coming into his senior season, Nenovich is unsure of what his final months as part of Minnesota's Pride on Ice will hold. But there is one thing that will remain consistent - his positive attitude. "I just try to make the most of every game," Nenovich said. "I go out there and play as hard as I can. Every time I'm out there I want to improve and help out the team."
Nenovich certainly cannot be described as selfish. Like every player, he is aware of his statistics and tries to improve them when he is on the ice. But what matters most, and what should be every player's main concern, is how the team is performing. When he is on the ice, Nenovich's goal is to help the team, whether that is scoring a goal, making an assist or keeping the puck out of his own net. A true team player should be judged, not by his final statistics, but by how much he has contributed, both on and off the ice, to the overall accomplishments of the team.
In the five games he has been in the line-up this season, Nenovich has been paired with Minnesota's Hobey Baker Award candidate, Jordan Leopold. The pairing has been a successful one and one with which Nenovich has been happy and excited. Fans and coaches are not the only ones impressed with his skills. On playing with Jordan, Nenovich said, "Leopold is easy to play with. He's so smart on the ice; he's in the right position all the time."
When Nenovich, Leopold and the other defensive seniors step off the ice for the final time, Mark is confident in the defensive players that remain on the roster for next year. The impressive play of Paul Martin, with his team-leading 13 assists, freshmen Keith Ballard and Judd Stevens, along with other underclassmen defensemen, has Nenovich very excited. "The guys coming up are doing well both offensively and defensively. Their strength is really impressive," Nenovich said. Even though every class likes to think that their players are irreplaceable, it is comforting to know that the Golden Gopher defensive lines will be left in good hands.
Passing the torch onto the underclassmen will be difficult, but Nenovich has tried to be a leader for the younger players, especially with the freshmen. "I try to be a role model for the freshmen," Nenovich commented. "As a senior, I can really direct them on the right path and kind of show them the way."
One freshman in particular that Nenovich feels he can connect with and direct is defenseman Brett MacKinnon. The two played together for two years at Wayzata High School, where Nenovich was named MVP of the hockey team his senior year, and they are excited to be on the same team again. Nenovich especially feels a bond with MacKinnon: "It is a lot of fun to play with [Brett] again. We've become good friends. It's nice to have someone who knows your hometown. I feel like I can show him the path here at the U."
Other players on the team that Nenovich has become closer with are his roommates, senior centers Nick Anthony and Pat O'Leary. Living with teammates has its advantages, including running on the same timetable and a better understanding than the average roommate of what a player may be dealing with. "[It] is really nice because we're all on the same schedule with practice and sleeping and everything. We've gotten to know each other really well and it's just a lot of fun," Nenovich remarked.
When he is not hanging out at his apartment, he is studying for his degree in communications. Although this is his senior year on the hockey team, Nenovich plans on staying in school for another year to complete his education.
Certainly one thing Mark wants to complete with a bang is his time playing for the University of Minnesota. One of the major goals that the Golden Gophers are maybe tackling a little more aggressively this year is the NCAA Frozen Four in April at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. Their spectacular playing thus far into the season and the fact that it is taking place in their "backyard" is encouraging to the players, but may also add more pressure to reach that final stop than they have dealt with in past years. When Mark thinks of what could happen in April, the exciting possibilities start swirling around in his head: "It would be a dream to get there. Hopefully we can continue playing well through the rest of the season. It would be a dream come true to win as a team at home."
One of the most important rungs on the ladder to the Frozen Four is the Golden Gopher defense. The outstanding start to the season was somewhat expected and has been relatively consistent over the nine games played, but needs to remain solid throughout the rest of the season for that ultimate dream to become a reality. As a member of the highly-touted Golden Gopher defense, Nenovich is very pleased with what he sees on the ice: "We have a good senior class. Defensively, we are very strong. Others are stepping in and playing well. If we can keep performing the way we have been, this team will go really far."
Few people in athletics realize that an athlete does not always have to be a star for his teammates to look up to him. Oftentimes, some of the most influential people on a team are those that are in the spotlight the least. They do not get caught up with themselves. Rather, they are more focused on the team's goals and what needs to get done to reach them. Mark Nenovich goes out everyday and works hard, not for his own personal glory, but so his team may become a little closer to reaching their goals. And that is what sports should be all about in the first place.
Written by Men's Athletics Media Relations Intern, Courtney Walerius
