One of Kyle Schmidt's goals for the 2009-10 season was just that -- goals. As in more of them. After scoring just four times in his first two years with the University of Minnesota Duluth hockey program, it's so far so good this winter for the junior left winger from Hermantown, Minn.
Schmidt, a Western Collegiate Hockey Association Scholar-Athlete honoree as a sophomore, has already racked up six goals, including one in each of the past three games, with one weekend still to go in the first half of the 2009-10 regular season. Those six goals are bettered by only two other Bulldogs -- Justin Fontaine (12) and Jack Connolly (10) -- at the moment and have contributed to UMD getting off to its best start in 14 years.
Schmidt, who currently tops UMD in shot percentage (23.1 percent), and the No. 12 Bulldogs will host No. 2 and WCHA-leading Denver this Friday and Saturday night.
HIS FAVORITES:
Opponent: UMass-Lowell
Opponent Arena: Kohl Center (Wisconsin)
Road Trip: Minneapolis, Minn.
Professional Athlete: Tiger Woods
Professional Team: Detroit Red Wings
College Course: Coaching and Officiating Baseball
Past Time: Golfing and anything else relaxing
Prized Possession: My '93 teal Geo Prism with crank windows, and no cruise control
Book (Author): Catch 22 (Joeseph Heller)
Television Show: ESPN SportsCenter
Actor/Actress: Christian Bale
Movie: The Shawshank Redemption
Singer/Group: Eminem
Food: Ice Cream
Restaurant: Zen House
Video Game: Halo 3
Vacation Spot: My best friend's cabin
WEB Site: I Don't have one
PERSONALLY SPEAKING
Why I Chose UMD: I've always wanted to play hockey here
First Played Competitive Hockey: Age 5
Hockey Strength/Weakness: My speed/My consistency
Game Day Ritual: I take a nap and a cold shower
Most Memorable Hockey Moment: Assisting on a friend's first goal in youth hockey
Best Player I've Ever Played Against: (Former North Dakota Fighting Sioux) T.J. Oshie
Pet Peeve: Bad communication
Biggest Fear: Having to reveal my biggest fear (spiders)
What Most People Don't Know About Me: I can score on (UMD goalie) Aaron Crandall at will
Advice to a an Aspiring Young Athlete: Never take things too seriously
If I Could Change One Thing About Myself: Nothing comes to mind
Influences on My Athletic Career: My parents
Something I Never Leave Home Without: My cell phone
Sport I'd Like to Try But Never Have: Snowboarding
Post-UMD Plans: Hopefully play professional hockey
