Raised in Evergreen and taught hockey in Arvada, Evan Cowley’s story never gets old and becomes more extraordinary the more he plays.
Because of age and inexperience, goaltending was the University of Denver’s biggest question mark at the beginning of the season. But the 6-foot-4 Cowley is the Pioneers’ calming influence in his first season in the No. 1 role.
Take away his horrendous start Nov. 8 against Western Michigan — he allowed four goals on five shots after semi-recovering from a stomach illness that cost him 10 pounds — and Cowley’s 2.11 goals-against average and .923 save percentage are even better.
Great numbers for the home-grown goalie who never played Tier 1 hockey until joining DU at age 17 after being selected by the Florida Panthers midway through the 2013 NHL draft. A 19-year-old sophomore, Cowley is younger than his backup, freshman Tanner Jaillet, 21.
Cowley has allowed one goal or fewer in five of his eight appearances. He absorbed a 2-1 loss to mighty Boston College.
“His in-game performance has been outstanding. He had that one blip after being sick that entire week, but has otherwise been really good for us,” DU coach Jim Montgomery said of Cowley. “He’s been calm in net and exudes confidence to his teammates and to the bench. He’s done everything that we could possibly ask for, for a guy who had just three games of experience coming into the season.”
Cowley’s goaltending coach is Joe Clark, who was a volunteer assistant at Maine when Montgomery played for the Black Bears from 1989-93. Clark is in his first season at DU after replacing David Lassonde, who is now at Dartmouth.
“Good season so far. This team’s looking good and I’m feeling pretty good,” Cowley said. “Coach Clark has come in this year and really helped out to simplify my game. He’s been around for a while and really knows what it takes to be a good goalie in college hockey and pro.
“He’s helped with my overall mind-set and how I approach the game, and how that translates into the games. He’s been really helpful for me in getting my head straight.”
The stability in the DU net has the Pioneers clicking in all areas.
“I think it was everybody’s question mark outside the program, but we knew we had talent in net,” Montgomery said.
Cowley is not guaranteed to start both games this weekend against visiting Air Force and Wisconsin.
“Tanner Jaillet has had a really good week of practice, and if he continues to have a good practice (Thursday), we’ll split them,” Montgomery said.
Mike Chambers: mchambers@denverpost.com or twitter.com/mikechambers
Cowley by the numbers
A look at University of Denver sophomore goaltender Evan Cowley:
8: Games played
5: Times allowing one goal or fewer
6: Times allowing two goals or fewer
427: Minutes played
92nd: Selection in the 2013 NHL draft, by Florida
Mike Chambers, The Denver Post
College hockey preview
Air Force (3-6-2) at No. 10 Denver (6-3)
What: Nonleague game
When: 7:35 p.m. Friday
Where: Magness Arena
Radio: 102.3 FM
Notes: The Pioneers host winless Wisconsin on Saturday in the first nonleague meeting of the former Western Collegiate Hockey Association rivals. … DU went 1-0-1 against Air Force last season, but the Pioneers were outshot 34-18 in the tie at the academy. … Air Force has played into overtime in five of its past six games, going 2-1-2 in sudden death. … DU will be without senior wing Ty Loney, who is scheduled for minor knee surgery Friday and is expected to miss a month. Senior wing Zac Larraza is questionable Friday and probable Saturday with an upper-body injury. … The Falcons are 2-2-2 since losing four in a row.
Wisconsin (0-6) at Colorado College (2-7)
What: Nonleague game
When: 7:35 p.m. Friday
Where: World Arena
Radio: 105.5 FM
Notes: Combined, the Tigers and Badgers have lost 13 consecutive games. CC started 2-0 before beginning its seven-game skid. … The Tigers play Air Force on Saturday (7 p.m.) at Cadet Ice Arena.
Mike Chambers, The Denver Post
