The University of Denver's freshman forward has been unflappable in the face of the best defenses college hockey has to offer, and he has exhibited poise beyond his years since he first set his skates on the ice for the Pioneers.

Still, even Zucker is somewhat taken aback by the gaudy numbers he has compiled during his rookie campaign.

The Pioneers' standout freshman hopes to pad those numbers this weekend, as Zucker takes a career-best, seven-game point streak into DU's Western Collegiate Hockey Association series at Nebraska Omaha.

"I say this to everybody-if I told you I knew I'd have 18 goals by now, I'd be lying," said Zucker, who ranks second on the team in goals and points (34). "I prepared myself well enough this summer to know I'd have a chance to have success. I think that was a huge part in it. It's a tough league, and I'm just going out there and learn something every day and become a better player."

Selected in the second round (59^th overall) of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft by Minnesota, Zucker has emerged as one of the top freshmen not only in the WCHA, but in the entire nation. Zucker's 18 goals and 32 points are the most by any player in the WCHA during league games, and he ranks second in the nation in freshman scoring average with 1.13 points a game.

Zucker's penchant for getting the puck to the net-his team-leading 124 shots are 28 more than second-place Kyle Ostrow-has kept Zucker from experiencing the sort of lulls typical of freshmen. Zucker recorded just one assist during the first four games of the season before erupting for two goals against Wisconsin on Oct. 22. Zucker has been a consistent force ever since and has yet to suffer back-to-back games without a point since the fourth game of the season.

"We knew that Jason was a very good player. We knew he had a background of success, that he was driven to be successful. I don't think I anticipated him having the kind of offensive contribution that he has had this year," DU coach George Gwozdecky said.

"Certainly we want him to continue that and improve on that. He's got some things that have allowed him to have a good jump-start on his college career. He's worked hard at it. He's good a good skill set. He, along with a lot of his teammates, need to continue to work on redefining those good habits that are going to make him successful every shift, as opposed to once a weekend or one game a weekend. But he's been a real good addition to our team and has certainly contributed to our success up to this point."

After missing two games while helping the United States to capture the bronze medal at the World Junior Championships in Buffalo, N.Y., Zucker has been even more dynamic. He has compiled two goals and eight assists during his current seven-game point streak. And Zucker also has notched at least one point in nine of 10 games since his return from the World Junior tournament, recording four goals and nine assists during that span.

Besides the raw numbers, Zucker has been unlike most rookies in that he has avoided running into the proverbial freshman wall. A native of Las Vegas-Zucker is the first Nevada native to be selected in the NHL Entry Draft-Zucker got his start in the sport by following the lead of his two older brothers into roller hockey. Returning to his desert home still keeps Zucker grounded-no matter how much attention he continues to draw from opposing defenses.

"For me, my release is when I get to go home," Zucker said. "When I get to see my family, that is when I get to sit back and not worry about anything. Coach Gwozdecky let me go home after World Juniors, and I think that was the biggest help I could've had.

"No matter how big or how good you are, it still is an acclimation. No matter who it is when you come into the WCHA, when you play against physical teams you have to acclimate yourself. Then we went against Boston College, and they just won the national championship. I tried to adjust ever since."