Junior defenseman Sean Behrens previously won the national championship with DU Hockey in 2022, which was special for him.
“Keeping the winning tradition and having that label for the program means something really special, knowing that I was a part of that,” Behrens said.
Now his goal remains the same: to win another national championship. He will do whatever he can possibly to reach the goal.
“It goes back to my competitiveness and wanting the team to win,” he said. “Blocking shots is not easy, and for some guys it’s fearful. But for me, it’s just helping my team win and being able to put myself in the right spot to do that is helpful.”
The DU hockey team wants to solidify its spot as the best college hockey team in history with its 10th championship title. The other desire is to solidify their reputation for the best college hockey academics.
Behrens is always focused and has an attitude toward getting better and developing through practice. His competitiveness and the people around him are what drive him.
“My competitiveness to push guys and make everyone better gives myself an opportunity to get better,” he said.
To reach that goal, Behrens uses his mind, body, and soul to be competitive as well as in his A-game. To be competitive is to eliminate the outside noise. When he is in the rink, social media can be a distraction, and that’s why he stays away from the noise.
“Being around the guys all the time and having fun keeps me going, and I think that’s something that starts off with us being close as a team and having fun,” he said.
When Behrens was just starting to play hockey, he was taught life lessons that still stick with him to this day. His coaches when he played for the Chicago Mission AAA program were also a big influence in the higher roles of hockey and how to prepare him for that, which he is thankful for. Behrens also wears number two in honor of one his idols, Bobby Keith.
“I know I have a really good support group around me and they can help me with whatever I am going through,” Behrens said. “I feel comfortable reaching out to them, so I am really thankful to have them.”
As well as hockey, Behrens grew up playing baseball. He was a contact hitter that used a lot of hand-eye coordination and quick reaction. Both of these skills learned in baseball helped transfer over to hockey.
“I chose hockey because it is fast-paced, a little bit more action, and that’s what tipped me to hockey. But I loved baseball when I was a kid,” he said.
Family and friends are everything to Behrens, and having a good support system is essential to his well-being. His dad was his coach growing up, and Behrens takes a lot from his built-in coach.
“Obviously, my dad was my coach for a while and taught me everything I know. He is kind of like my life coach and he gives me pointers after hockey games,” he said.
Behrens was an alternate captain for Team USA and won a bronze medal/silver medal with the United States in December and January at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, recording three points (1g/2a), which was a very special moment for him.
“It was a big honor to represent my country and be able to play for that team, and that was the first medal I won on an internal stage, so it was really important to me, and that is something that will stick with me for the rest of my life, so that was an awesome experience and that I will never forget.”
When Behrens does not stick checking and causing collisions on the ice, he relaxes and watches and has fun, especially watching football and hockey. Behrens also loves his Chipotle and is always ready to get some lunch.
In the realm of college hockey, only some make it to the NHL. That’s why academics are vital for those college hockey players who will not make it to the big leagues, and Behrens emphasizes the importance of academics in his own DU life.
“I think academics are really important and having something to fall back on because there are no guarantees in hockey. Anything can change in the mindset, and any opportunity can be taken away, whether that is an injury, etc. So having a good degree to take care of the future is really important,” he said.
Behrens was selected by the hometown team Colorado Avalanche in the second round of the 2021 NHL draft. Behrens wants to submit his legacy with DU hockey but is excited for his possible future with the esteemed NHL organization.
“It’s pretty cool to get drafted, and a lot goes into being part of that organization. They did a great job of having me develop at DU and become the player I want to be in college, and I am really excited that I get to play for them one day and get an opportunity to play in the NHL, and that’s a big honor for me to be drafted for them and be part of the organization.”
