Junior defenseman Eric Pohlkamp was among the leading scorers in his first season with the Denver Pioneers hockey team in 2024-25 and has picked up where he left off this year.
 
Last season, he ranked second among team blueliners with 11 goals, 24 assists and 35 points while playing in all 44 games. He also placed fourth in the NCAA in scoring by a D-man and was tied for fifth in his position in goals
 
He joined DU after playing with the Bemidji State Beavers as a freshman in 2023-24. He led all team defensemen that season with 11 goals while ranking second among blueliners with 13 assists and 24 points in 32 games played. Pohlkamp also finished tied for second overall on BSU in goals and tied for fourth in points, and he led the Beavers in shots (121) power-play goals (five-tied) and game-winning goals (three-tied).  
 
Prior to college, the Baxter, Minnesota, native played two seasons with the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders from 2021-2023 in the United States Hockey League. He was named the USHL Defenseman of the Year in the 2022-23 campaign as he led all league players in scoring with 51 points (16g/35a).
 
As a Pioneer, he was named to the 2025 NCAA Northeast Regional All-Tournament Team, the All-NCHC Third Team and was recognized as an NCHC Defenseman of the Week three times last season. Academically, he was honored on the NCHC All-Conference Team and was a NCHC Distinguished Scholar-Athlete. 
 
Selected by the San Jose Sharks in the fifth round (No. 132 Overall) of the 2023 NHL Draft, Pohlkamp recorded his first career hat trick in the Pioneers' home opener this season on Oct. 10 versus Bentley. He was just the 12th Denver defenseman and the fourth blueliner (fifth time) in NCHC history to score three goals in a game.
 
Pohlkamp is a marketing major that loves golf in his spare time and eats honey and salt before every game.
 
Why did you choose the University of Denver? 
 
"The No. 1 reason was the coaching staff, and along with how hard I would get pushed every single day with all the great players that go here. Lastly, Denver knows how to win and develop players to the next level." 
 
How did you get involved in hockey and what is your earliest memory of ice skating? 
 
"I started skating on my lake in the backyard at 2 years old. All of my siblings played hockey, so I just followed in their footsteps. My earliest memory was trying to keep up with all of my brothers and their friends." 
 
What are your goals for this season? 
 
"To be an unselfish teammate and to give it all every day." 
 
What are some of your favorite activities to do when you're not at the rink? 
 
"To go golfing or going to the lake with my friends or family." 
 
What are your plans for the future?
 
"Play pro hockey. If that doesn't work out then I'll go work for my sister in sales."
 
If you weren't playing hockey, what sport would you play?
 
"Football, I played running back and nose guard growing up. I loved football, and I had the heaviest back squat for a ninth grader in my school at 415 pounds."
 
What kind of music do you like? 
 
"EDM or any fast-paced songs." 
 
What's your go-to pregame meal? 
 
"Chicken, white rice and sweet potatoes." 
 
Where is your favorite spot to vacation? 
 
"I liked Punta Cana. It was warm and the beach was awesome" 
 
What are some of your favorite movies or TV show? 
 
"My favorite move is Creed, and my favorite TV show is Blue Mountain State." 
 
What is your pre-game routine?
 
"I take a 47-minute nap, put all my right-side equipment on first and then eat a spoonful of honey with salt on it." 
 
Do you have any charity experiences that were special to you?
 
"We run a hockey game in Brainerd called Lakes Hockey Academy. We help youth players work toward their goals in hockey." 
 
What are some of your favorite spots in Colorado? 
 
"I really like Red Rocks."
 
What other sports have you participated in? 
 
"Football and baseball until ninth grade."
 
 
Sophie Hamill contributed to this story.