UNH goalie Jakob Hellsten making most of 'second opportunity' in college hockey

DURHAM — Jakob Hellsten wanted a change of scenery, and the University of New Hampshire men’s hockey team needed an experienced goaltender to partner with rising sophomore Tyler Muszelik.

Both parties found what they were seeking.

“I talked to the coaches early in the process and came for a visit,” Hellsten said. “That was really the dagger for me. The guys and the coaching staff made a good impression.”

Coming into the season the Wildcats' three returning goalies had combined for just 18 career appearances with 14 belonging to Muszelik, including 12 starts as a freshman.

“We thought that having a veteran goalie here would be beneficial not only to Tyler but our program,” said UNH coach Mike Souza.

Hellsten has been key for the Wildcats (14-11-1 and 7-8-1 Hockey East), who are having their best season in years, but have lost three of their last four games. UNH, ranked 19th nationally, has a big opportunity this weekend, hosting rival No. 7 Maine (18-6-2, 10-5-1 Hockey East) in two sold-out games at the Whittemore Center.

Hellsten makes transition from North Dakota to New Hampshire

The Wildcats discovered what they had early on when Muszelik missed some time with a lower-body injury. Hellsten, a junior transfer from North Dakota, made four straight starts, going 2-1-1 during that stretch in which he allowed only five goals.

In his next outing he blanked Northeastern, 4-0, in mid-November for his first collegiate shutout with his mom, Annica, in attendance to see her son play in person for the first time in several years.

“Her being in the stands to see that was really special to me,” said Hellsten, who is originally from Ljusdal, Sweden.

He went 7-2-1 in his first 10 starts and ranked near the top of Hockey East as well as nationally in several statistical categories.

“He’s been pretty consistent since the start of the year,” Souza said. “It was a matter of him getting the opportunity and he really ran with it when he did.”

Through 16 games Hellsten had a 9-6-1 record with a 1.94 goals-against average and a .915 save percentage.

“It’s a learning process,” he said. “You’ve got to be patient with everything. It’s a new place, a new team, a new conference. It’s a new experience for me.”

Hellsten has adapted well to his new surroundings. The presence of senior Harrison Blaisdell, another transfer from North Dakota, helped ease the transition.

Hellsten carried the workload early when Muszelik was injured and later emerged as the No. 1 option through his play. Hellsten went 7-8-2 in his two seasons at North Dakota, primarily as a back-up, and posted a 2.72 GAA and an .875 save percentage in 13 appearances last season, including nine starts.

“It’s interesting,” Souza said. “He faces some adversity at North Dakota, and he comes out on the other side of it very positive and diligent and hard-working and looking for a second opportunity. A belief in himself has sort of been his beacon.”

Hellsten named to watch list for top goalie in NCAA

Hellsten has received several accolades for his play this season including being added to the watch-list for the Mike Richter Award that goes to the top goalie in the NCAA Division I.

“I think he’s always known that he’s a top goalie,” Souza said. “If you can be a goalie at North Dakota, you can be a goalie anywhere. The pressure there is unlike the pressure anywhere else. He’s come out of it as a mature goalie both mentally and physically.”

As a teenager Hellsten played for Sweden in international competition.

“I think one of my strengths is my ability to read the play and also my skating,” Hellsten said. "It’s a lot easier to play and play good when you’re having a lot of fun out there.”

Hellsten credits friendly competition

Despite being in a daily competition for the No. 1 spot, it didn’t take Muszelik and Hellsten long to bond.

“Musz is an awesome kid,” Hellsten said. “He’s a really, really good goalie but he’s an even better person. We’re really good buddies, and we have fun both on and off the ice. It’s been awesome coming here and having such a good goalie partner and friend. We compete every day, and it makes both of us better and obviously the team, too.

“We have different strengths,” he added. “We kind of support each other and push each other every day. We both want to win no matter who’s playing.”

“It’s a healthy competition between two guys who respect each other,” Souza said.

Hellsten credits goalie coach Sean Maguire for much of his success.

“Sean’s been like a game-changer for me,” Hellsten said. “Coming here I needed a fresh start. I can’t even put into words what Sean’s meant to me both on and off the ice. I feel like I’ve taken my game to the next level and much of that is thanks to Sean.”

Hellsten also excels academically.

“He’s kind of everything you want in a kid,” Souza said. “He was a 4.0 student in our business school here last semester. He’s a tireless worker both on and off the ice, and he’s getting the results because of his work ethic. We’re very proud of him.”

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: UNH hockey goalie Jakob Hellsten thrives after leaving North Dakota