Senior defenseman brings physical edge to Tigers

Senior defenseman Nate Prosser has impressive offensive numbers this season, but his gritty play may be what No. 12 Colorado College needs most headed into this weekend’s home series against No. 8 North Dakota.

The Fighting Sioux will get physical, especially with Western Collegiate Hockey Association home playoff ice on the line. Prosser will be there with a few words or a shove when North Dakota (16-11-5, 11-10-3) lays a hit on one of the Tigers (17-12-3, 11-10-3).

“He likes to talk and he gets under a lot of guys’ skins,” said sophomore Gabe Guentzel, his defensive partner. “When Ryan (Lowery) took that hit (against Minnesota) he was there right away standing up for him.”

The subsequent roughing call and similar situations have helped Prosser draw a team-high 48 penalty minutes.

“He’s a physical presence and that really helps our team,” senior captain Mike Testwuide said. “He’s a guy who works hard to give us a spark physically. He’ll do anything for the team.”

That’s good because he and the rest of the top four defensemen – Prosser, Kris Fredheim, Guentzel and Ryan Lowery – are being asked to step up even more over the next few weeks as the Tigers make a playoff push.

“The top four guys have played a lot of minutes,” Tigers coach Scott Owens. “We need stability and for them to take it up a notch. That means a couple more hits, more shots getting through and one more good defensive play.”

His offseason work developing a good one-timer has paid off with 24 points (21 assists), second among WCHA defensemen, after posting a total of 28 assists his first three years. He has collected at least a point in 20 of 32 games, thanks in part to good vision on the ice and passing skill.

On the power play, he is paired opposite Guentzel.

“Since I was a sophomore I’ve always played weak side so I knew, being right-handed, that I needed a good one-timer to get the puck through,” Prosser said.

Rest assured Prosser will do what he can to help the Tigers shore up the defense in front of freshman goalie Joe Howe (15-11-3, 2.74 goals against, .908 save percentage).

“For sure,” Prosser said. “All the older guys need to raise our play to lead this team back in the right direction.”