Returning for a third season at the University of Denver was the right move for Sean Behrens.
 
Not only because the defenseman won his second NCAA Championship in three years, but he developed into a more complete player and that should help him adapt to the faster and more physical style of game at the next level.
 
"I think after my sophomore year, I wasn't really content with where my college career was at, so I thought it was a huge part of why I wanted to come back," Behrens said. "I think you also look at it from a maturity standpoint. I think this year I took a lot of steps maturing and becoming a more rounded person off the ice with nutrition and habits and stuff like that. I thought without this year, I would be a step behind at the next level in that area."
 
His first two years with DU hockey saw him utilized as a more offensive D-man on a pairing with Kyle Mayhew, as he would often start rushes and jump into the action from the back end. He was tasked with tougher defensive assignments in 2023-24 as an upperclassman and playing alongside then-freshman Zeev Buium for much of the campaign.
 
Buium went on to record 50 points and earn NCHC Rookie and Offensive Defenseman of the Year honors. Behrens registered career highs offensively as well with four goals and 27 assists for 31 points, but he also recorded 53 penalty minutes and blocked 70 shots—the most by a DU player since Will Butcher had 82 and Adam Plant had 80 in 2016-17—earning his own conference accolade as well as Defensive Defenseman of the Year.
 
Selected by the Colorado Avalanche in the second round (61st overall) of the 2021 NHL Draft, Behrens signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the franchise six days after the national title game on April 19 and made his pro debut the next day with the Colorado Eagles of the American Hockey League, the minor-league affiliate of the organization.
 
Now in the business of professional sports, Behrens has already learned the value of taking advantage of chances when they're presented to you.
 
"Just being ready for the opportunity and when you get a chance to play, whether it's power play or penalty kill, it's about being ready for that chance and being as prepared as you can for when you get that chance to make the most of it," he said.
 
Behrens credits the Pioneers staff for getting him ready for the pro game, and his approach heading into his first full year at the senior level hasn't changed from what it had been the previous three years.
 
The Barrington, Illinois, native stayed in Denver for most of the summer, worked with DU strength and conditioning coach Matt Shaw and skated with other alums and local pros.
 
"I think what I've done the last couple of summers to get ready for the season with Matt Shaw and at DU has helped me a lot," he said. "I think that helped me start off the season really well, so I think it's been the same summer but just a different challenge coming up for the season."
Behrens is likely to start the upcoming 2024-25 campaign with the Eagles in the AHL, but he aims to force the Avalanche management into making a tough decision as he enters his first NHL training camp.
 
"I think my mindset is to go in there and do whatever they need me to," Behrens said of playing with the Eagles or Avalanche. "I think staying three years at DU, it really rounded out my game and allowed me to have confidence defensively and moving pucks in all three zones. So I think it's whatever it takes on any given night to win and whatever role I need to play to help the team win."
 
And if he doesn't make the Avs roster immediately out of camp, but the team needs a defenseman on a call-up, he'll be ready to take hold of the opportunity.
 

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