After a NHL rookie season of pranks, rookie dinners and league leading success, former DU athletes Paul Stastny and Matt Carle faced off on Sunday at the Pepsi Center.
Stastny is playing forward for the Colorado Avalanche, and Carle is a leading defender for the San Jose Sharks.
Stastny and the Avs split the season series against the Sharks last season and Stastny got the upper-hand in the first of four matches this season as the Avalanche won 6-2. It was Stastny’s play that helped the Avalanche to win as he finished with a career-high four assists and five points on the evening. Last season’s rookie of the year candidate, Stasny is leading the NHL in points after one week with four goals and four assists for eight points.
“He is special because he is so young and so mature for his age; he is just the same every game. That is very rare for a young guy. He is doing everything we ask of him,” said veteran Avalanche teammate Ian Lapierre.
Both players are glad to have a year in the professional ranks under their belts and are ready to help propel their respective teams to success.
“I think you just know what to expect. Last year kind of walking around on pins and needles and afraid to make mistakes and what not and this year trying to come in a little bit more relaxed,” said Carle.
Carle left the University of Denver just a week after completing his junior season and the Pioneers missing the playoffs and signed a three-year contract with the Sharks who drafted him in the second round during the 2003 entry draft. During his time at DU Carle scored 28 goals and 91 assists for 119 points in three seasons while also capturing two NCAA championships. Carle also received the 206 Hobey Baker Award, which is annually given to the top NCAA hockey player.
Right after signing with the Sharks Carle was immediately put in the line-up toward the end of the season and was so impressive he made the playoff roster for San Jose.
In Carle’s first full season last year he recorded 11 goals and 31 assists for 42 points in 77 games.
Just a few months after Carle had decided to leave DU, Stastny had finally made up his mind and signed with the Avs. It was no sure thing that Stastny would make the team, but he impressed during training camp and found himself a spot on the roster.
Last season Stastny scored 28 goals and dished out 50 assists for 78 points in his rookie season and finished as one of the top three rookies in the league.
As for right now the former Pioneer is pretty happy with the decision to forgo his final two years of college, “You always look back and think what could happen, I think I made the right choice, I always got time to finish school.”
After hearing of Stastny’s five points on Sunday night Pioneer Head Coach George Gwozdecky was pretty clear about his thoughts, “He had five? He would be a senior this year right?”
At the same time Gwozdecky could not be prouder of his former players, “I’m happy those two guys are doing real well, happy they are representing the program in a positive manner.”
This year, Carle will be making about $950,000 in salary with Stastny behind him at about $500,000. When asked what big purchases they have made since being paid the big bucks both responded with the right answer, “I will go with the smart answer and say I have invested a lot of my money,” said Carle.
“Invest a lot of it, my old man has taught me well, you think you have a lot, but you lose a lot in taxes here and there,” responded Stastny.
Although Stastny and Carle left school early, DU will always watch and cheer on them as they continue to make waves in the professional ranks.
“It’s my job and I love it, can’t have a better job, so obviously you can’t have a better situation,” said Stastny.
