Colorado native Jared Resseguie recently committed to his hometown school, Denver. The 3.25 star prospect played for the Rocky Mountain Roughriders and then joined the Bismark Bobcats, the team he currently captains. The 19-year-old is in his third season in the NAHL and will join the Pioneers following the midseason break.
Neutral Zone caught up with Resseguie to chat about his recruitment process, his hockey experience and more:
How and when did you start playing hockey?
I started playing inline hockey when I was four years old and then started playing ice hockey when I was nine years old. There was a local roller hockey rink by where I lived, so my brother and I just picked it up there.
What’s your earliest memory from playing hockey?
My earliest memory from playing hockey was when I was playing goalie and we made it to the championship and my own player scored on me in overtime to win the game for the other team.
What was your youth hockey experience like?
My youth hockey experience was great. I wasn’t always the most talented kid, but all my coaches always believed in my work ethic.
Take us through the NCAA recruitment process. What other schools were you talking to and where did you visit?
I was only really talking to a couple of Atlantic Hockey schools and nothing was really that serious. Out of the blue DU called me and was looking for a role to fill that I was able to. It was a very nice surprise.
What made you decide to commit to Denver? What went into that decision for you and your family to know it was the right place?
I committed to Denver because it’s only 20 minutes from my home where I grew up and it’s really was just a dream school of mine. We knew it was the right place because they are one of the best hockey programs in the country, the schooling there is great and I’d be close to family still.
What’s the strangest thing you’ve seen while playing hockey?
The strangest thing I’ve seen playing hockey would have to be when I was scored on in overtime by my own player when I was playing goalie. I was confused and very upset so it was a lot to take in.
What’s the best piece of advice anyone’s given you in hockey?
The best piece of advice someone has given me in hockey and life in general would be hard work beats skill any day.
What are your best on-ice skills?
My best on-ice skill would be my grit. I love hitting guys, taking hits to make a play, blocking shots, and just being tough to play against.
What aspect of your game are you working on improving the most?
An aspect of my game that I am improving on the most is my skating. I still have a long way to go to be where I need to be, but it is improving.
Is there a professional player you model your game after?
I model my game after players like Patrice Bergeron and Jonathan Toews.
What’s the toughest challenge you’ve faced in hockey?
The toughest challenge I’ve faced in hockey is being the captain of a losing team. It’s tough to get guys motivated to play and keep striving to get better when you’re losing, but when you do get over that it’s a great accomplishment.
What’s the toughest challenge you’ve faced in life?
The toughest challenge I’ve faced in life would have to be leaving home at an early age to play junior hockey. It was a tough adjustment, but a necessary one, which only helped my game in the end.
