University of Minnesota Athletics
Freshman Faceoff: Eric Schierhorn
10/1/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Hockey
As we get closer and closer to the 2015-16 Gopher Hockey season, we close out our "Freshman Faceoff" series today with incoming goaltender Eric Schierhorn.
A native of Anchorage, Alaska, 2015 USA Hockey Dave Peterson Goaltender of the Year Eric Schierhorn joins the Gophers after spending two seasons in the USHL with the Muskegon Lumberjacks. The netminder closed out his juniors career with a terrific season in 2014-15, leading the league in saves and save percentage and posting a 26-13-4 record. Schierhorn helped Muskegon to the organization's first-ever Clark Cup final appearance and was named the USHL Goaltender of the Year and a First Team All-USHL honoree. He has also represented the U.S. numerous times in his career including tournament wins at the 2014 World Junior A Challenge, the 2012 Four Nations Tournament and the 2012 Five Nations Tournament. Schierhorn previously skated at Shattuck-St. Mary's.
You are originally from Anchorage, Alaska, but your hockey career has already taken you all over the place. What made Gopher Hockey the right fit for you?
You know, I visited a couple of schools, and after I thought it over I realized this was the best fit for me. Between the academics, facilities, and the history of their hockey program…winning championships and turning out professional players. It was really a no-brainer for me.
You had a great season with Muskegon last year, both individually and as a team, and you ended up the USHL Goaltender of the Year, a First Team All-USHL honoree and the USA Hockey Dave Peterson Goaltender of the Year. How much fun was it to go through that experience?
It was so much fun. Obviously, it was a good time being a part of a winning team especially since we had struggled my first year there. We had a great group of guys in the locker room, and we played together better as a group…I think as a result I had a better season myself.
While you were with the Lumberjacks, you were able to work with U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame goalie (and Muskegon general manager) John Vanbiesbrouck. How much did he help your development?
He just has so much knowledge, it was incredible. Playing hockey for 20 years, he knows so much about the game and playing in net. He gave me a lot of pointers, mainly on the mental side of the game, little tweaks that helped me so much. I owe a lot to him. He came in before my rookie year, so he was the one that scouted me and brought me in and gave me a chance.
Do you remember how you learned to skate/play hockey? Do you have a favorite memory?
We had an outdoor rink in my backyard growing up, and I think I was skating on it maybe when I was around three. I started hockey at a young age too -- I was the youngest, so I kind of got stuck with the pads because my brothers wanted a shooter-tutor.
You have two brothers who are both are/were college student-athletes. One brother, Chris, played baseball at the University of Dallas and your other brother, Brad, is a senior hockey player at Dartmouth. What was the competition like growing up in your house?
Growing up and being the youngest, I played against them in everything -- baseball, football, soccer, hockey. I think that made me a better athlete because I was used to going up against bigger, and stronger competition from three-years old until now.
Off the ice, what are you interested in?
I like just hanging out with the guys and doing whatever their doing. I also enjoy playing a little tennis. I'm pretty easy-going so I'll do whatever.
How about playing for Team USA? Talk about how much it means to you to represent your country.
It's awesome! The excitement never wears off no matter how many times you get to do it. It sounds cliché, but it's such a huge honor and something special that I really enjoy being able to do.
| Previous Freshman Faceoff Features | |||
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| Ryan Norman | |||
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| Brent Gates Jr. | Jack Ramsey | Tommy Novak | |
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| Curt Simonson | Eric Schierhorn | ||
