Preventing goals can sometimes be just as important as scoring them. That's the premise behind hockey's plus-minus rating. Over the past two years, the University of Minnesota Duluth's leader in that department has been junior defenseman Travis Gawryletz. The Trail, British Columbia product received the Bob Junkert Award for turning in the best plus-minus mark of any 2005-06 Bulldog and is a team-leading +6 this winter.

HIS FAVORITES

Opponent: Minnesota

Opponent Arena: Kohl Center (Wisconsin)

Road Trip: Fort Myers, Fla.

Professional Athlete: Joey Porter (Pittsburgh Steelers)

Professional Team: Edmonton Oilers

College Course: Microeconomic Analysis

Pastime: Couch parties

Prized Possession: My bike

Movie: Cocktail

Book: The Hardy Boys

Television Show: MTV Jams

Singer/Group: Michael Bolton

Food: Salmon

Restaurant: Nautical Nellies (Victoria, British Columbia)

Vacation Spot: Rossland, British Columbia

Web Site: umdbulldogs.com

PERSONALLY SPEAKING

Why I Chose UMD: I loved the DECC

First Played Competitive Hockey: At age 4

Hockey Strength/Weakness: My legs/My hand

Game Day Ritual: I take a pregame nap

Most Memorable Hockey Moment: Playing for the Beaver Valley Nite Hawks

Best Player I’ve Ever Played Against: Nick Carelli (now with Morrisville State College)

Pet Peeve: Lazy People

My First Job: Working at a golf course as a teenager

Person I'd Most Like to Meet: Bobby Orr

Biggest Fear: Going to the dentist

What Most People Don't Know About Me: I ride a 10-speed bike

Advice to an Aspiring Young Athlete: Just have fun!

If I Could Change One Thing About Myself:

I would be smarter

Influences on My Athletic Career: My family

Something I Never Leave Home Without: My hat

Sport I'd Like to Try But Never Have: Boulder dash

Post-UMD Plans: A reunion tour with Photosynthesis