by Jordan McAlpine/CHN Reporter (@jordan_mcalpine)
(photo: Jason Soria, SCSU Athletics)
Brett Larson watched Austin Burnevik play last spring and couldn’t help but smile, as the SCSU bench boss was excited just thinking about what Burnevik could potentially do at the college level.
After a pair of up-and-down seasons at the NTDP, Burnevik’s game took off with the USHL’s Madison Capitols. He scored 40 goals – which ranked second in the league – and racked up 71 points over 61 games, helping Madison win 33 games and reach the playoffs.
So far Burnevik has delivered for the Huskies too, as the freshman forward has a team-leading six goals and 11 points through 11 games.
“We couldn’t be happier for Austin and his ability to turn nothing into something is really unique. No matter where he is in the offensive zone, he’s always a threat,” Larson said. “We recruited him very young, and we don’t typically get a ton of young guys right away, but he was one of them that we recruited as early as possible. And he’s someone we’ve been excited about for a while.
“Obviously he had some ups and downs at the development program, but he never stopped working. So to see his success last season and now the way he’s started with us, his hard work has really paid off. You just feel so good for the kid.”
Burnevik initially committed to SCSU in August of 2021 and grew up roughly an hour away in Blaine, Minn. The left-shot forward has never lacked the shot or offensive ability, and he was drafted by Anaheim (sixth round, 182nd overall) this past summer in Vegas.
He’s one of five true freshmen on an SCSU roster that has high hopes for this season – although Burnevik quipped that you can’t win a national championship in November.
The Huskies are currently 8-3-0 and are coming off a conference-opening sweep of Miami, which saw Burnevik light the lamp three times. He was named the NCHC Rookie of the Week for his effort.
“Obviously it’s been a little different than playing junior hockey but I think the transition has been smooth,” Burnevik said. “The guys are bigger, faster and stronger, so you have to adjust that physicality and pace, but overall I’d say the transition has been smooth and I’m just trying to keep building on…
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