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Former teammates on opposite sides in huge WCHA series
David La Vaque
- Staff Reporter
Tom Carroll remembers his "terrible twos" fondly.
The Des Moines Buccaneers coach directed the two most unstoppable offensive forces in the USHL last season, wingers Peter Sejna and Troy Riddle, and loved every minute of it.
Sejna, the forward of the year, led the league in scoring (94 points). His linemate Riddle, the rookie of the year, finished seventh (66 points). Sejna was first in goals, Riddle second.
No duo in the USHL combined for more points than the 160 put up by this dynamic pair.
"They were tough to defend," Carroll said. "They had great speed and skill and were fun to watch. It's no real surprise in my mind that they're successful college players. I knew they'd both be impact players."
The former linemates will get plenty of chances to observe one another this weekend as Sejna and the No. 6 Tigers play Riddle's fourth-ranked Gophers for the first time this year.
"They're team guys," Carroll said. "When the puck is dropped there's no buddies out there."
With 19 goals and 19 assists for 38 points, Sejna is the leading scorer among conference rookies. Riddle is tied for third with 11 goals and 11 assists for 22 points.
"I knew (Sejna) was going to come in and play very well," Riddle said. "He never gives up, he's a workhorse out there. He's strong and he can skate."
"You give (Riddle) the puck at the right moment and he's gone," Sejna said. "Speed is the most important thing in hockey. If you're faster than the other guy things are going to be easier for you."
Riddle, the speed merchant, got off to a faster start in college hockey. He was voted co-rookie of the year by conference coaches while Sejna came in third.
But as he did in Des Moines, Sejna held a slight edge in scoring over Riddle in the first six games. Sejna netted four goals and seven assists to Riddle's six goals and one assist.
As the season wears on, both freshmen are learning to chart their progress in areas besides goal scoring.
Sejna, 21, has scored only four goals in the last 10 games, but chipped in nine assists. Riddle, 19, has two goals in the same span, but led all Minnesota players with six assists in January.
"I'm carrying the puck with more poise lately," Riddle said. "I'm realizing that I have more time to make a play. That's what separate guys like (Erik) Westrum and (Jordan) Leopold -- that confidence with the puck. It comes with time."
For Sejna, that time is now.
The Slovakian native protects the puck like a professional, employing the savvy which comes from two years in the USHL and one with Team Slovakia.
"The defensemen in the WCHA are bigger, faster and make fewer mistakes," Sejna said. "If you can't protect the puck you're going to have a hard time doing anything."
Though they're no longer teammates, and their numbers aren't as outrageous as the ones posted in the USHL, Sejna and Riddle are making a definite impact on the WCHA in their first season.
Sejna will likely run away with the league's rookie of the year award, while Riddle is almost certain to make the conference all-rookie team.
While their teams battle for wins and all-important standings points this weekend, Sejna and Riddle will be making their case for who the top rookie is -- even though both concede it's nothing personal.
"I'll be three times as geeked for this weekend," Riddle said. "This is the weekend I want to shine. I plan on going at it with those guys."
"I don't feel like it's a battle between me and Troy," Sejna said. "I'm out to prove something every weekend, not just one."
Biscuits
Senior captain Erik Westrum was named national player of the week by United States College Hockey Online for his six-point performance in last weekend's sweep of Minnesota State, Mankato.
During the Gophers' current seven game win streak, Westrum has led the way with six goals and eight assists.
David La Vaque covers men's hockey and welcomes comments at dlavaque@daily.umn.edu.
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