DU Pioneers add two grad transfers as movement grows within hockey

The University of Denver hockey team lost two players to NHL contracts this month, but thanks to the NCAA graduate-transfer program that is growing in popularity in men’s hockey, the Pioneers look relatively unscathed after adding 22-year-olds Steven Jandric and Bo Hanson on Tuesday.

Jandric is a forward who led Alaska-Fairbanks in scoring last season, and Hanson was the top-scoring defenseman for St. Lawrence before 2019-20 ended because of the coronavirus pandemic. Both players received bachelor’s degrees in three years and will have one year of eligibility at DU while working towards a master’s degree.

“Both have proven at the college level to be everyday players and consistent contributors,” DU coach David Carle said in a phone interview about his newest players. “We have big plans for both of them and I think they add a lot of value to our lineup.”

Jandric and Hanson replace sophomore forward Emilio Petterson and junior defenseman Ian Mitchell, respectively. Petterson signed with the Calgary Flames on Monday, two weeks after Mitchell agreed to terms with the Chicago Blackhawks.

DU has now signed three grad transfers, the first in 2018 when defenseman Les Lancaster left Mercyhurst to play for the Pioneers in Carle’s first season (2018-19) as head coach.

The NCAA’s grad transfer program began in 2011 for football and other sports, but was not used by hockey teams until 2014. There was just one grad transfer apiece in 2014, ’15 and ’16 before the list grew to two in 2017 and four in 2018, according to the NCAA. While no data is available for 2019, the number is expected to balloon to double-digits in 2020, according to various media reports.

“It’s very circumstantial, and summer school has become such an offering across the board that it allows a lot of kids to get ahead in their studies,” Carle said. “Kids are also taking courses prior to getting to the university. They’re bringing some credits in which accelerates their degree-seeking status and gives them some flexibility in graduating in three years.

“I look at a guy for us, (defenseman) Erich Fear. He graduated in three years and then did his master’s degree in his fourth year (2019-20) with us.”

While DU’s newest additions are great for the program, Carle said “there is another side to it. These players are leaving those schools, and they don’t love it, I’m sure. There is a flip side to it, and a balance to it. There are positives and negatives to both sides of it.

“Certainly, for us at this moment, we’re excited to add both players.”

NCAA graduate transfers for men’s hockey

2014: 1
2015: 1
2016: 1
2017: 2
2018: 4
Source: NCAA
Note: No data is available for 2019.