University of Minnesota Athletics
Four Years of Focus: Senior Garrett Smaagaard
3/7/2005 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
Over his four-year span as a Golden Gopher, nothing has fazed Smaagaard, be it injuries, playing time, academics, success or failure. Not even the fact that he only has less than half a season left as a Golden Gopher has slowed him down. To Smaagaard, it’s just another step in life that he is ready to take.
“You think about it in a sense, when you realize that you are going on your last road trip here, or your last road trip there. It enters my mind in that sense, but overall I don’t think about it too much. I’m sure after the last game it will become more obvious, but until that point it’s really not that big of a deal,” the senior forward said. Smaagaard has the ability to stay focused on the task at hand, because he knows that just like that, everything can be taken away. At Eden Prairie High School, he suffered a knee injury that sidelined him for his entire senior hockey season. An even worse set back for Smaagaard came last year, when he suffered a season-ending knee injury yet again. In the midst of a season in which his playing time had increased significantly, and his point total of 17 was much higher than ever before, Smaagaard went down right before WCHA playoff time.
An injury to some can change their world, changing their psyche in terms of confidence, aggressiveness and overall worth to the team. But, that kind of nonsense is seen in the mentally weak, not a focused, driven player like Smaagaard. Obviously the injury last season was an upsetting event, but Smaagaard immediately turned his focus to rehab and his upcoming senior season.
“It was definitely a downer. It was the middle of February right before playoff time, the most exciting time of year when you want to be in the lineup,” he said. “It’s never fun to have to sit out for an extended period of time, but it’s something you put behind you and move forward. There is really no other way to go about it, I think.”
With that approach, Smaagaard has bounced back this season to become a contributor. His coaches never doubted that would be the case, and have acknowledged his hard work to get back on the ice.
“Smaagaard is coming off his second major knee surgery but he looks good so far this year,” stated Coach Don Lucia.
Lucia added that like most of the other seniors, Smaagaard plays a role, rather than being a front-line player. They are not the power-play, big numbers-type players, but serve as the guys who do the little things.
In a season in which the team is experiencing greater success than the past season, Smaagaard is contributing just as he did prior to his knee injury. To date, Smaagaard has five goals and five assists, while as his coach put it, “playing his role.”
One part of Smaagaard’s game that has increased unfortunately is his penalty minutes, which is surprising considering that Smaagaard is not what some would label a “dirty” player. Logically, if a player is on the ice more than in the past, their penalty minutes would increase. It could be that as a senior he is more comfortable on the ice, and has played more aggressively this season, but Smaagaard has other answers for the increased penalty minutes.
“I’ve noticed that I’ve been in the penalty box a bit more. You have to consider that this year the referees have increased the number of penalties they are calling, too. That has something to do with it, and I’ve definitely had a lot more ice time this year as well. I can’t give an answer as to exactly why, but I have gotten more penalties this year,” the senior forward said.
Despite getting a few more penalties, other aspects to the season have made this year the most enjoyable for Smaagaard. He was a part of the two NCAA championship teams a few years back, and admits that there is nothing like winning it all, but this year he is more of a leader, and likes giving a larger contribution to a successful team.
“There weren’t very high expectations for this year’s team, which makes it that much more fun since we have been successful. We lost all those good players from last year, and nobody really expected too much out of us. We have had so many different guys step up this season,” Smaagaard said.
He also believes that the dynamic of everybody contributing and not relying on two or three star players has made the team closer, fostering an environment where it was a lot easier to be successful.
“As opposed to years past when we’d have two or three ‘all-stars’ who could take over, this year we have eight or nine guys who can score on any given night. Different guys step up each game, and that’s exciting not knowing who’s going to step up each game, instead of relying all the time on one or two guys,” Smaagaard commented.
As a senior, Smaagaard has also felt that there is something to prove. Coming off two NCAA Championships, the team struggled at times last year, and that disappointment has led to a hunger to prove the doubters wrong this season.
“We weren’t looked at as a powerhouse class, and some thought that that would mean the team would be at the lower end of the league this year, and nobody wants that finger pointed at them,” he said. “So I’d agree that the seniors have had something to prove this season, and so far it’s paid off pretty well.”
Throughout his career, Smaagaard has also stayed incredibly focused in the classroom as well as on the ice. In his first three years he was a U of M Scholar Athlete every year, and has been named to the WCHA All-Academic team the last two seasons. Smaagaard modestly brushes off his academic success, stating that it’s all about hard work. “Everyone always asks me how can you play hockey and get all your schoolwork done? I haven’t had too much of a problem with it. You go to class, do the homework and study for the tests, it’s not too tough. You work hard at something, it usually pays off for you,” the finance major said.
Many collegiate athletes are caught off-guard once their career is over and don’t know where to turn once they realize that playing days are done. Smaagaard, the focused young man that he is, probably won’t have this problem. He has already thought well in advance, and realized that an NHL career is more a dream than a reality. With that in mind he spent last summer as an intern in for a finance firm in California, and feels that his experience out west has helped prepare him to get a job come May whether it be in Minnesota or elsewhere.
The internship experience was the first time that the Eden Prairie, Minnesota native spent an extended period of time away from his home state. Although he enjoyed it, he is happy to call Minnesota home once again. Being able to play his hockey career so close to home was one of the reasons that Smaagaard chose to attend the U of M.
“I grew up around here, and in this area everyone wants to come play for the Gophers. It’s been nice, since I only live 20 minutes away and if I have to go home I can, yet I’m far enough away where I feel like I’m away from home. It’s been nice that my parents can come to most of the games,” he said.
Being as focused and determined as Smaagaard is, it’s hard for him to reflect on his career since there are still a few games and another playoff run to make. Like most Golden Gophers, Smaagaard will miss the camaraderie of the team, the atmosphere of Mariucci Arena, the late nights playing cards with teammates and everything that goes along with playing hockey for the U of M.
Even with the knee injury, even though he’s not one of the first-line power- play guys, even though his four years here seem to have blown by, Garrett Smaagaard could not have been happier with the way his career has unfolded.
“I have no regrets, I have two rings, and I can’t really argue with that. This whole experience has paid off more than I could have ever imagined it,” Smaagaard said. With his focus and determination, perhaps Smaagaard can top it off by helping the new guys earn one of those rings that have helped make his career unforgettable.
story by Dominic Ladd, athletic communications graduate assistant Throughout the career of Golden Gopher senior forward Garrett Smaagaard, there has been one thing that has remained the same. It’s not something noticeable to the everyday fan or a casual observer because it lies deeper than his talent on the ice. It is an attribute that will benefit him and those around him for years to come in whatever road he travels. What is this trait Smaagaard possesses that has never changed? It’s his focus.
Over his four-year span as a Golden Gopher, nothing has fazed Smaagaard, be it injuries, playing time, academics, success or failure. Not even the fact that he only has less than half a season left as a Golden Gopher has slowed him down. To Smaagaard, it’s just another step in life that he is ready to take.
“You think about it in a sense, when you realize that you are going on your last road trip here, or your last road trip there. It enters my mind in that sense, but overall I don’t think about it too much. I’m sure after the last game it will become more obvious, but until that point it’s really not that big of a deal,” the senior forward said. Smaagaard has the ability to stay focused on the task at hand, because he knows that just like that, everything can be taken away. At Eden Prairie High School, he suffered a knee injury that sidelined him for his entire senior hockey season. An even worse set back for Smaagaard came last year, when he suffered a season-ending knee injury yet again. In the midst of a season in which his playing time had increased significantly, and his point total of 17 was much higher than ever before, Smaagaard went down right before WCHA playoff time.
An injury to some can change their world, changing their psyche in terms of confidence, aggressiveness and overall worth to the team. But, that kind of nonsense is seen in the mentally weak, not a focused, driven player like Smaagaard. Obviously the injury last season was an upsetting event, but Smaagaard immediately turned his focus to rehab and his upcoming senior season.
“It was definitely a downer. It was the middle of February right before playoff time, the most exciting time of year when you want to be in the lineup,” he said. “It’s never fun to have to sit out for an extended period of time, but it’s something you put behind you and move forward. There is really no other way to go about it, I think.”
With that approach, Smaagaard has bounced back this season to become a contributor. His coaches never doubted that would be the case, and have acknowledged his hard work to get back on the ice.
“Smaagaard is coming off his second major knee surgery but he looks good so far this year,” stated Coach Don Lucia.
Lucia added that like most of the other seniors, Smaagaard plays a role, rather than being a front-line player. They are not the power-play, big numbers-type players, but serve as the guys who do the little things.
In a season in which the team is experiencing greater success than the past season, Smaagaard is contributing just as he did prior to his knee injury. To date, Smaagaard has five goals and five assists, while as his coach put it, “playing his role.”
One part of Smaagaard’s game that has increased unfortunately is his penalty minutes, which is surprising considering that Smaagaard is not what some would label a “dirty” player. Logically, if a player is on the ice more than in the past, their penalty minutes would increase. It could be that as a senior he is more comfortable on the ice, and has played more aggressively this season, but Smaagaard has other answers for the increased penalty minutes.
“I’ve noticed that I’ve been in the penalty box a bit more. You have to consider that this year the referees have increased the number of penalties they are calling, too. That has something to do with it, and I’ve definitely had a lot more ice time this year as well. I can’t give an answer as to exactly why, but I have gotten more penalties this year,” the senior forward said.
Despite getting a few more penalties, other aspects to the season have made this year the most enjoyable for Smaagaard. He was a part of the two NCAA championship teams a few years back, and admits that there is nothing like winning it all, but this year he is more of a leader, and likes giving a larger contribution to a successful team.
“There weren’t very high expectations for this year’s team, which makes it that much more fun since we have been successful. We lost all those good players from last year, and nobody really expected too much out of us. We have had so many different guys step up this season,” Smaagaard said.
He also believes that the dynamic of everybody contributing and not relying on two or three star players has made the team closer, fostering an environment where it was a lot easier to be successful.
“As opposed to years past when we’d have two or three ‘all-stars’ who could take over, this year we have eight or nine guys who can score on any given night. Different guys step up each game, and that’s exciting not knowing who’s going to step up each game, instead of relying all the time on one or two guys,” Smaagaard commented.
As a senior, Smaagaard has also felt that there is something to prove. Coming off two NCAA Championships, the team struggled at times last year, and that disappointment has led to a hunger to prove the doubters wrong this season.
“We weren’t looked at as a powerhouse class, and some thought that that would mean the team would be at the lower end of the league this year, and nobody wants that finger pointed at them,” he said. “So I’d agree that the seniors have had something to prove this season, and so far it’s paid off pretty well.”
Throughout his career, Smaagaard has also stayed incredibly focused in the classroom as well as on the ice. In his first three years he was a U of M Scholar Athlete every year, and has been named to the WCHA All-Academic team the last two seasons. Smaagaard modestly brushes off his academic success, stating that it’s all about hard work. “Everyone always asks me how can you play hockey and get all your schoolwork done? I haven’t had too much of a problem with it. You go to class, do the homework and study for the tests, it’s not too tough. You work hard at something, it usually pays off for you,” the finance major said.
Many collegiate athletes are caught off-guard once their career is over and don’t know where to turn once they realize that playing days are done. Smaagaard, the focused young man that he is, probably won’t have this problem. He has already thought well in advance, and realized that an NHL career is more a dream than a reality. With that in mind he spent last summer as an intern in for a finance firm in California, and feels that his experience out west has helped prepare him to get a job come May whether it be in Minnesota or elsewhere.
The internship experience was the first time that the Eden Prairie, Minnesota native spent an extended period of time away from his home state. Although he enjoyed it, he is happy to call Minnesota home once again. Being able to play his hockey career so close to home was one of the reasons that Smaagaard chose to attend the U of M.
“I grew up around here, and in this area everyone wants to come play for the Gophers. It’s been nice, since I only live 20 minutes away and if I have to go home I can, yet I’m far enough away where I feel like I’m away from home. It’s been nice that my parents can come to most of the games,” he said.
Being as focused and determined as Smaagaard is, it’s hard for him to reflect on his career since there are still a few games and another playoff run to make. Like most Golden Gophers, Smaagaard will miss the camaraderie of the team, the atmosphere of Mariucci Arena, the late nights playing cards with teammates and everything that goes along with playing hockey for the U of M.
Even with the knee injury, even though he’s not one of the first-line power- play guys, even though his four years here seem to have blown by, Garrett Smaagaard could not have been happier with the way his career has unfolded.
“I have no regrets, I have two rings, and I can’t really argue with that. This whole experience has paid off more than I could have ever imagined it,” Smaagaard said. With his focus and determination, perhaps Smaagaard can top it off by helping the new guys earn one of those rings that have helped make his career unforgettable.
story by Dominic Ladd, athletic communications graduate assistant
