On October 6, 2013, two local players from Grand Forks, North Dakota made their debut with the University of North Dakota.
At the start of the season, I sat down with the two Grand Forks natives Luke Johnson and Paul LaDue to get their thoughts on their upcoming season with UND. (UND Hockey: Two Cousin Set to make Debut for UND)
LaDue and Johnson have made an impact on the ice in their first season with the UND hockey team. Ladue played on UND’s second defense pairing most of the season scoring (5g-11a-16pts) in 33 games. On Wednesday, Ladue was selected to NCHC All-Conference Rookie Team.
For most of the season, Luke played on the first or second forward lines scoring (8g-12a—20pts) in 34 games.
This week, I caught up with LaDue and Johnson to get their thoughts on their first season wearing the UND jersey.
Catching up with freshman forward Luke Johnson
This is what Luke Johnson had to say about his experience at UND.
Eric Burton, The Hockey Writers: What your impression of your first season at UND?
Luke Johnson: I thought the regular season went pretty well. Obviously, we had our ups and downs as a team, but I thought in the last half (of the season) we really made a push to win a championship, but fell just a little short at the end. Personally, I felt I improved a lot and really matured as a player. So, hopefully we can keep it going.
EB: What was it like to play hockey in your home town with 12,000 screaming fans cheering you on?
LJ: It was crazy. First game I kind of had to slap myself on the bench. I didn’t really know where I was. I was kind of in awe the first couple of shift, so. It’s crazy with the amount of support that we get from our fans. I am really excited to play here.
EB: What was your impressions of the NCHC’s inaugural season, was the NCHC as big of a war as it looked like from the stands?
LJ: Every night is a battle for those three points. You really need to come with your best efforts every night and if you don’t, you’ll fall short. It was great season for us. We just have to keep it going in the post season.
EB: Who was the best player(s) that you played against on the ice this season?
LJ: There’s probably a few obviously, (Riley) Barber and (Austin) Czarnik were pretty quick and really smart with the puck. (Josh) Archibald from UNO he’s pretty tough to play against. He’s very fast, and very competitive. I would say those three.
EB: What was it like to playing with your cousin this season?
LJ: It’s great. We’ve been with each other since high school. We’re really familiar with each other on the ice. Off the ice, he’s a great guy and a great guy to hang out with. Our whole freshman class, we really get along with each other. We’ve created a great bond with each other, and it shows on the ice too.
Catching up with freshman defenseman Paul LaDue
Here’s what Paul LaDue had to say about his experience at UND.
Eric Burton, The Hockey Writers: What your impression of your first season at UND?
Paul LaDue: It was great. It started off a little slower than I wanted. As I got used to the game, and I got used to the pace of the game – my teammates helped me along the way. It was a pretty good year. I am looking forward to the playoffs.
EB: What was it like to play hockey in your home town with 12,000 screaming fans cheering you on?
PL: You actually don’t notice it as much as I thought I would. You get on that ice, it’s pretty special. The rink and the atmosphere in this rink and how supportive all of our fans are of our team. Even when we weren’t doing so hot in November and December: But they were still there every game, it was pretty special.
EB: What was it like playing in Grand Forks?
PL: It was fantastic. Obviously, I know a lot of people here, and they’re supportive too and it helps. Hopefully we can bring a championship back.
EB: What was it like to playing with your cousin this season?
PL: It was a little different this year, knowing that we both grown up wanting to play here. Putting that uniform on together was pretty special and I thought he did a great job this year. I hope we can keep it going.
EB: Who was the best player(s) that you played against on the ice this season?
PL: That’s tough; we play against a lot of good players. I might have to go with… just because he did exceptional well against us. I would have to go with Greg Carey who played on St. Lawrence. Obviously, we didn’t have our best games that weekend. But I thought he really stood out that weekend. Obviously, he’s doing great this year. I think he will be a really good NHL player.
EB: What was your impressions of the NCHC’s inaugural season, was the NCHC as big of a war as it looked like from the stands?
PL: Yes it was. There was never an off night. Even your first place (teams) playing the bottom team, nothing is given to you. Obviously, Colorado College hasn’t had many wins this season, but they were tough when we played them (earlier this season), and they’re going to be tough this weekend.
They played together in high school, juniors and now they’re finishing up their first season together in college. It’s not an understatement to say that they’ve made an impact in their first season with UND. The post season starts this weekend, and the UND hockey team is happy to have a pair of cousins from Grand Forks, ND on their roster.