Derek Hansberry

Derek Hansberry is the type of hockey player every team needs on the ice.

He plays well in both ends of the rink, has had back-to-back outstanding seasons and is one of the team's top scholars. That combination has made him a valuable member of the 2006-07 Falcon hockey team.

The 6-foot, 195 pound sophomore is third on the team in scoring right now with 11 goals and 21 points. He has scored five power-play goals and two game-winners, including the winner against St. Thomas last Friday. He had a monster game on Dec. 12 in the team's 10-2 win over St. Mary's at Hunt Arena when he scored the three-goal hat trick and had five points.

"Derek was a big surprise for us last year," said Falcon Coach Steve Freeman. "We knew he was a good hockey player - we just didn't know that he would be able to contribute so well in his first year. He came through in a big way."

He played so well that he was named to the first All-NCHA and All-WIAC teams after the 2006 campaign. He led the team in scoring with 33 points and his 18 goals also led the team. He scored 11 power-play goals and finished tied for eighth in the NCAA Div. III in that category. Hansberry was named the team's Most Valuable Player - one of only a handful of Falcon players to ever earn that honor after a freshman season.

"My hockey strengths are that I am a team player and that I work hard in both ends of the ice. I think I also see the ice well," said Hansberry in an interview last Friday. "I want to give a consistent effort every night, score some goals and put my best foot forward in every game."

Hansberry has been a model of consistency for the Falcons. Last year he had the longest point-scoring streak on the team (12 games) and had at least one point in 22 of the team's 27 games. And this year has been much the same as he has scored at least one point in 12 of the team's 17 games to date.

"Derek continues to develop his game and is a super valuable player   - an offensive force," said Freeman. He has 13 career multiple point games.

Hansberry is pleased with the way the Falcon season as progressed so far but knows that there are a lot of games left on the schedule. The Falcons are 5-0-1 in NCHA play and in second place, trailing first place UW-Stout by only one point. They are ahead of third place St. Norbert by only one point. The Falcons have eight games remaining.

"Our first game of the year was not good, but after that we knew what we had to do. So far I'm happy with how the season has gone. Every game is huge - it doesn't matter which team we're playing - they all mean two points in standings. We've got to keep working hard each week no matter what happens. We're only as good as our last game."

Hansberry started playing roller hockey at home in Arvada, Col., when he was nine years old. "Eventually I had to chose between playing football and hockey. The doctors told me I wasn't big enough to play football so I played hockey. No one knew at the time how physical hockey was, but it's worked out great in the long run."

He helped the Arvada Midget team win two Silver Sticks National tournament championships. He eventually played junior hockey with Wichita Falls of the NAHL and fondly remembers scoring twice to help his team win a playoff game. Another lasting memory is when he scored midway through the third period against St. Norbert a few weeks ago. That goal tied the game at the time (2-2) and the Falcons went on to beat the then No. 1 ranked Green Knights, 3-2.

"Our goals are to win the regular season NCHA title and I believe that we have a team that can win a national title. We have the talent to do that," said Hansberry of the team's goals this season. Asked to describe the Falcons using just two or three words Hansberry picked, "cohesive and hard working."

Hansberry has hopes of playing more hockey after his days at UWRF are done. "I'd like to play a couple of more years. You can never rule out the NHL, but coming from a small school the chances are slim. But I would like to play at the pro level - to have that experience."

The business administration major says that one day he would also like to open his own gym. Hansberry is a leader in the classroom. He was named to the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll and earned Dean's List honors after the fall and spring semesters last year. He is the son of Jeannette and Brian and has one older brother, Jerry, and a younger sister, Arlis.