North Dakota nets Avs blueliner

PALMER — Daniel Senkbeil is only 19 years old. The Alaska Avalanche defenseman could return for another season of junior hockey, but that’s a tough choice to make when North Dakota comes calling.

Senkbeil, a 6-foot-4 blueliner from Freemont, Calif., has committed to the University of North Dakota and will play for the Fighting Sioux next fall.

Brian Huebel, Senkbeil’s coach during the 2010-11 season, said it became apparent Senkbeil was ready to take a step to the highest level of junior hockey during the NAHL Top Prospects showcase in February.

“He had a really good Top Prospects, and to be able to coach him (at Top Prospects) and see what he was doing with all of the high-caliber players around him, even though he’s a 1991 (birth year), there’s no reason for him to play junior hockey next year,” Huebel said. “He needs to be around those high-caliber players.”

Huebel said after Senkbeil’s performance during the three-day showcase, college scouts were literally jumping at the chance to lure the tall, offensive-minded defenseman. It didn’t take long for North Dakota to emerge as a frontrunner. Fighting Sioux coaches even made a trip to Wenatchee, Wash., late in the regular season to see Senkbeil live.

“We’re excited for Dan,” Huebel said. “He’s a very highly skilled individual. He’s got the body of an NHL’er, and he’s going to get bigger.”

In 41 regular season games with the Avs, Senkbeil tallied six goals and 21 assists. He was a force on the power play, scoring four of his six goals while his team had the advantage. He also dished 12 power-play assists. Overall, Senkbeil finished with a plus-18 rating.

Alaska acquired Senkbeil early in the season in a trade with Chicago of the United States Hockey League. Senkbeil recorded five assists during 55 games with the USHL’s Youngstown Phantoms as an 18-year-old in 2009-10, but was dealt after just three games with the Chicago Steel.

Senkbeil, a past standout in the San Jose Jr. Sharks AAA program, has long been seen as a blue chip prospect. As a midget, he garnered attention from college and NHL scouts thanks to his size, offensive abilities and overall upside. After a slow start to the 2010-11 season, Huebel said Senkbeil simply needed to find his confidence.

“We had the easy job. We had to give him his confidence back,” Huebel said. “That involved putting him into spots and having him work his way out. He did that.”

Huebel said Senkbeil is a unique talent.

“He’s a player who sees the game differently,” Huebel said.

Huebel said Senkbeil is also a player who has the ability to continue to play at high levels of hockey, and could be one of the Avalanche organization’s first legitimate professional prospect.

Senkbeil’s commitment is part of a stellar offseason for the Avs. He is the third Avalanche player to commit to a Division I program. Defenseman Jake Williams will play at American International College in Springfield, Mass., while goalie Landon Peterson is returning to his home state to play for the University of Wisconsin.

At North Dakota, Senkbeil will skate among college hockey elite. The Fighting Sioux have won seven Division I championships and 15 Western Collegiate Hockey Association titles.