Preventing goals isn't nearly as glamorous as scoring them, but such is the life of a defensive-minded defenseman. Travis Gawryletz has adeptly handled this role for the University of Minnesota Duluth since he first joined the hockey program back in 2004-05 and now finds himself as the ranking member of the Bulldog blueline brigade. The 6-2, 200-pound senior from Trail, British Columbia was the winner of the 2004-05 Bob Junkert Award for turning in the best plus-minus rating of any Bulldog and, during his first three seasons at UMD, never finished in the red in that department.

HIS FAVORITES

Opponent: North Dakota

Opponent Arena: Kohl Center (Wis.)

Road Trip: Madison, Wis.

Pro Athlete: George Parros (Anaheim Ducks)

Professional Team: Edmonton Oilers

College Course: Financial Institutions, Markets and Money

Pastime: Going for a ride in my Silverado Classic

Prized Possession: My blender

Movie: Trailer Park Boys \"The Big Dirty\"

Book (Author): Any Sudoku book

Television Show: Iron Chef America

Singer/Group: Boys II Men

Food: Salmon

Restaurant: Tom's Kitchen (Trail, B.C.)

Vacation Spot: Anywhere in British Columbia

Web Site: www.NYSE.com

PERSONALLY SPEAKING

Why I Chose UMD: To play hockey in a great city and receive a first-class education

First Played Competitive Hockey: At age 4

Hockey Strength/Weakness: My quads/ My hands

Game Day Ritual: I take a snooze

Most Memorable Hockey Moment: Winning the Beaver Valley Nite Hawks Alumni Christmas Tournament last December

Best Player I’ve Ever Played Against: (former Trail Smoke Eater) John Hanley

Pet Peeve: Certain people who use way too much concrete hair gel

My First Job: Cutting a small patch of grass at an airport when I was about nine

Person I'd Most Like to Meet:Bobby Flay

Biggest Fear: The day I can no longer block a shot

What Most People Don't Know About Me: I play piano in a Cranberries tribute band

Advice to an Aspiring Young Athlete: Turn everything you do into something fun

If I Could Change One Thing About Myself: I would be just like Nate Zielgelmann

Influences on My Athletic Career: My Family

Something I Never Leave Home Without: My street smarts

Sport I'd Like to Try But Never Have: Synchronized swimming

Post-UMD Plans: Become the next Iron Chef