Junior defender Trevor Zins is described by his fellow linemate, graduate student defenseman John Schuldt, as someone that “does all the little things that make people successful.”
Zins was successful against Ferris State where he secured two goals and two assists, sending the team’s Friday, Oct. 22 game into overtime and helping St. Thomas get its first win the following Saturday. For that effort, Zins was named the Central Collegiate Hockey Association’s Defenseman of the Week for the week of Oct. 25-30.
“It’s pretty awesome,” Zins said. “It’s obviously a pretty surreal award, and something that not many people get.”
Schuldt was “not surprised at all” when he found out about his linemate’s recognition.
“He had a great weekend against Ferris,” Schuldt said. “He’s had a bunch of other really good games before that. (Zins) is someone who I don’t think anyone was surprised that he played that well.”
Coach Rico Blasi doesn’t focus much on individual awards, he said, but he did highlight Zins as someone with a team-first mentality.
“Here’s a guy that didn’t play at St. Cloud for two years, and for him to come here with a positive and grateful attitude to be on the ice and get an opportunity to play, I give Trevor a lot of credit,” Blasi said. “I’m sure he’ll tell you, ‘he couldn’t have done it without his teammates,’ but that’s the type of kid that he is and type of person that he is.”
Zins, who transferred this year from St. Cloud State University, said he used his two years at SCSU to learn and grow as a player before arriving at St. Thomas.
“I got better every day and I played against some great players and created relationships with some good coaches and they helped build my game off the ice and on the ice,” Zins said. “Obviously it sucks I didn’t get a game or get to play there … but I still thank them for everything they did for me and got me to this point where I’m now playing (at St. Thomas).”
Before his time at St. Cloud, Zins played hockey at St. Michael-Albertville High School before playing two years of junior hockey for the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders of the United States Hockey League and the Topeka Roadrunners of the North American Hockey League, followed by another two years in Canada playing for the Trail Smoke Eaters of the British Columbia Hockey League.
Blasi and Zins connected during his time playing in Canada.
“He was a pretty good offensive minded defenseman that skates fairly well,” Blasi said. “Those things and his character kind of put us over the edge with him.”
Zins hopes to be at St. Thomas “for as long as they want me” and to play the game for not just himself but for his team.
“Play confidently, play my game and obviously work hard and do everything I can to do it for the team,” Zins said.
Zins secured another assist Saturday, Oct. 30 at Arizona State, where the Tommies lost 4-2. The team heads to Bowling Green, Ohio on Friday, Nov. 5, and Saturday Nov. 6, to play Bowling Green State.
Justin Amaker can be reached at justin.amaker@stthomas.edu.