Sam Harris, the sophomore forward on the University of Denver's hockey team, is in his second year with the Pioneers and has been a crucial asset for the squad, including helping the team in its NCAA National Championship-winning campaign in 2023-24.
 
Hailing from San Diego, California, Harris totaled 14 goals and seven assists for 21 points while playing in 42-of-44 games as a rookie in 2023-24. Harris began his collegiate career by recording his first points with a pair of assists in his NCAA debut on Oct. 8, 2023 at Alaska Fairbanks in the season opener.
 
Harris made his NCAA Tournament debut in the Northeast Regional Semifinals against Massachusetts on March 28, 2024 and then proceeded to score the game-winning goal two days later versus Cornell in the NCAA Regional Final, securing the Pioneers' berth to the Frozen Four.
 
This season, he is among the team and NCAA leaders in goals, power-play goals and game-winning goals.
 
Before coming to Denver, Harris spent two seasons with the Sioux Falls Stampede of the USHL from 2021-2023, combining for 91 points in 116 games. He recorded career highs with 30 goals, 26 assists and averaged one point a game with the Stampede during the 2022-23 campaign. Harris was also tied for eighth in the USHL in goals during the year.
 
Harris was selected by the Montreal Canadiens in Round 5 (No. 133 Overall) of the 2023 NHL Draft, and hopes to "play pro hockey in the NHL" one day.
 
Why did you choose the University of Denver?
 
"I chose DU because of the amazing and historic hockey program. Also, it is a great place for me to get an amazing education."
 
How did you get involved in hockey and what is your earliest memory of ice skating?
 
"I got involved in hockey because my dad took me to the rink one day back home for a public skate, and I just kept coming back. My earliest memory of hockey is taking a picture in my hockey gear on my first club team back in my learning class when I was 4 years old."
 
What are some of your favorite activities to do when you're not at the rink?
 
"My favorite activities not at the rink are going to the beach with my buddies back home and also playing golf."
 
What are your plans for the future/after college?
 
"My plans for the future are to play pro hockey in the NHL."
 
What sport would you play if you weren't playing hockey?
 
"I would most likely play golf, soccer or football because all those sports are much more common in San Diego."
 
What kind of music do you like?          
 
"I like chill music when I am relaxing, but when it is game time I enjoy listening to techno and hip-hop."
 
What is your go-to pre-game meal?
 
"My go to pre-game meal is pasta and chicken with alfredo sauce."
 
Where is your favorite spot to vacation and why?
 
"Sweden because I love it over there and most of my family lives there."
 
What are your favorite TV shows and movies?
 
"My favorite TV shows are Peaky Blinders and Rick and Morty. For my favorite movie I would say both Top Gun movies."
 
Do you have a pre-game routine?
 
"The main one is that I do the same stretches in the same spot during on-ice warmup. I also do a lot of hand-eye warmup during this time as well."
 
What are some of your favorite spots in Denver metro area?
 
"I enjoy going to the Jerusalem restaurant with my teammates and eating as well at Cava."
 
Do you have any volunteer experience?
 
"I volunteered at 'Feeding South Dakota' in juniors and helped people in need by sending them food. I also worked at several soup kitchens feeding families during the winter."
 
What other sports have you participated in?
 
"I played lacrosse in middle school for two years and one season of 5v5 scrimmage soccer, but other than that my focus has been on hockey."
 
What is something that other people might not know about you?
 
"I know how to speak Swedish fluently because my mom taught me when I was young, and it is something I use every day to speak with my family members."
 
 
Maggie Poe contributed to this story
 

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