Prince Albert's Owen Ozar in a Denver Pioneer promotional graphic. (Twitter/Denver Pioneers)

By Jeff D’Andrea

Frozen Owen

P.A.’s Ozar heads to NCAA Frozen Four

Apr 1, 2022 | 4:00 PM

Prince Albert’s Owen Ozar has a chance to achieve frozen glory. He and the University of Denver Pioneers qualified for the 2022 Frozen Four, with the four best NCAA Div. 1 men’s hockey teams fighting for college hockey supremacy.

Ozar is playing his first year as a freshman on a powerhouse Pioneers team that went 29-9-1 in all competitions before the Frozen Four. They feature Philadelphia Flyers second-round pick Bobby Brink, who is a Hobey Baker finalist and team leader in points with 56 in 39 games. Carter Savoie, the older brother of Winnipeg ICE standout Matthew Savoie, leads the club with 22 goals in 37 games.

With that, Ozar has played more of a supporting role which is a huge change from his journey days. Ozar was putting up first-line numbers in just his second year with the Trail Smoke Eaters in the BCHL, scoring 26 goals and 66 points in 54 games in the 2019-20 season. The 2020-21 BCHL season was largely shortened by COVID-19, so Ozar went down to Iowa to play a full season with Waterloo Black Hawks in the USHL, where he scored 15 goals and 34 points in 52 games, finishing second in points on the Black Hawks.

“College hockey is a little bit different than junior hockey with going to school and whatnot. We have a great group of guys. I’m not the biggest part of this team like I was in juniors, but this is one of the most fun years of hockey for me. I just went in with this group of guys, and we have a ton of fun,” Ozar said.

“We’re really excited. We’ve had a good week of practice so far, and this is what we’ve been working for all year,” added Ozar. “Speaking as a younger guy, we want to win it for the older guys. They’ve been here for a couple years and they’ve been carrying the load all year. We’re excited for what should be a very fun weekend.”

Imminent need

Council set to discuss possible location for homeless shelter on 15th Street

2h ago

International Spotlight

P.A.'s Howe one of 4 Sask. born players named to Canada's World Junior roster

18h ago

National

Ottawa to remove 30% investment cap for Canadian pension funds

21h ago

The Pioneers will face the Michigan Wolverines on April 7. The winner of that will take on whoever wins the Minnesota State Mavericks and Minnesota Golden Gophers as they will it out to get into the finals on April 9.

The Pioneers have won eight Frozen Fours with their latest coming in 2017. The Wolverines have won nine championships, but their latest came back in 1998.

–

Jeff.dandrea@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW