Jeff Panzer was named the Player of the Year in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association this season after winning his second straight scoring title. A year ago, he won All-America honors in helping the Sioux win the NCAA title. In the NCAA East Regional this year, Panzer was named most outstanding player after assisting on all four goals in UND's 4-1 win over Colorado College that sent the Sioux to the Frozen Four. Mass. Panzer made his case. In that single game in the regional, while Panzer was chalking up four points in a dazzling show, Gionta didn't pick up a single point in Boston College's 3-1 quarterfinal win over Maine.
Panzer is one of college hockey's swiftest skaters.
It didn't take him long on his backyard rink to show speed, either. Older brother Jay was both an inspiration and a thorn to Jeff. They waged some epic battles at Riverside Park, wars that didn't always end on the rink. We'd sit at home and get so mad, we'd end up putting our skates back on, walking back to the rink and going at it again. On the rink.