Goaltender Freddie Halyk is in his second season with the University of Denver hockey team and helped the Pioneers take home their NCAA-record 10th national championship last season.
 
As a freshman in 2023-24, he posted an 8-4-0 record as the Pios backup goalminder. Throughout the campaign, he recorded three shutout wins, a 2.91 goals-against average and an .883 save percentage. He was named the NCHC Rookie of the Week on Nov. 6, 2023 and was selected as NCHC Goaltender of the Week on Nov. 27, 2023. He went on a career-long shutout streak of 141:47 across four games from Nov 19-Dec. 1-2023, which at the time was the ninth-longest by a goaltender in school history. 
 
The Cochrane, Alberta, native made his first career start on Oct. 28, 2023 versus Air Force where he registered a 24-save shutout and earned his first point with an assist in the contest. He was the first Denver goalie to record a shutout in his first career start since Matt Davis also did it against Air Force on Oct. 16, 2021. 
 
Before Denver, Halyk split the 2022-23 season with the Lloydminster Bobcats and the Camrose Kodiaks of the Alberta Junior Hockey League, combining for a .910 save percentage and three shutouts. He was nominated as the top netminder in the AJHL and was named the team MVP during that campaign.
 
In the classroom, Halyk was named to the NCHC Academic All-Conference Team and was recognized as an NCHC Distinguished Scholar-Athlete during the 2023-24 campaign.
 
Why did you choose the University of Denver?
 
"I chose the University of Denver because the school excels in both hockey and academics. The coaches are second to none and the campus and city are beautiful."
 
How did you get involved in hockey and what is your earliest memory of ice skating?
 
"My mom wanted all of us to play hockey, so I officially started when I was around 4 years old. We also had a pond in our backyard."
 
What are some of your favorite activities to do when you're not at the rink?
 
"Read, play chess and cards, and other sports."
 
What are your plans for the future/after college?
 
"I want to play in the NHL and then when I retire I want to start a hedge fund with my brother."
 
If you weren't playing hockey, what sport would you play?
 
"Probably soccer. I used to play when I was younger as a defender, but if I were to go back I would be a goalkeeper."
 
What other sports have you participated in?
 
"Soccer, baseball, basketball, volleyball, pickleball and badminton."
 
What kind of music do you like?          
 
"My favorite is old country, but I also like some of the new stuff. I also like 80's rock."
 
What is your go-to pre-game meal?
 
"Chicken Alfredo."
 
Where is your favorite spot to vacation?
 
"Hawaii. My family usually goes in the winter, so it is a nice break to be back in the sun."
 
What is your favorite movie and TV show?
 
"I like the James Bond movies, and then my favorite TV show would probably be Yellowstone."
 
Do you have a pre-game routine?
 
"I like to have a long nap and have a big breakfast with coffee earlier in the day."=
 
 
Sophie Hamill contributed to this story
 
 
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