Cherry Creek makes move in Colorado ice hockey in only second season

When the Cherry Creek (Greenwood Village) hockey team was revived after a 25-year hiatus last season, it created an immediate buzz around the state.

When the Bruins finished 2-16-1 in their inaugural season back on the ice, it was clear that rebuilding a powerhouse was going to take some time. But as it turns out, it didn't take much time at all.

Cherry Creek has experienced a diametrical turnaround in season No. 2, and the Bruins enter the postseason as the Foothill League's No. 3 seed with a lofty 15-3-1 record. They'll open Friday against Pine Creek (Colorado Springs) at the Colorado Sports Center (4:45 p.m.) as part of a quadrant hosted by Lewis-Palmer.

"Looking at the rosters from both years, I don't know if there is a big disparity in talent, because they had some good seniors last year," first-year Bruins coach Jeff Mielnicki said. "The difference is these guys have been willing to put in the work."

Mielnicki has been a longtime coach for the Arapahoe club program and a 15-year coach for Cherry Creek's Connie Mack baseball team. Three of his sons have come through the Bruins baseball program.

His experience in the youth programs made it clear that the new Cherry Creek hockey team couldn't just step out on the ice and immediately compete with the state's existing stalwarts.

"When the district first approached me about it, I said 'Yeah, I am interested,'" Mielnicki said. "We talked about it, and I basically wanted to break everything apart and start fresh. The district was really supportive with that."

So for starters, Mielnicki is developing youth feeder programs for the Bruins so players are ready to perform when they get to high school. He also made trips to other schools in the Cherry Creek School District to personally invite new players and thank existing ones for playing on the team, bringing along jerseys.

In addition, he coached the Bruins to a title-game win over Regis Jesuit in the high school fall league (which produced a berth in the USA Hockey High School Nationals on March 25-30), which fueled ambitious hopes for the regular season.

On the ice, the Bruins have gotten contributions from a bevy of players, with Cody Oakes (17 goals, six assists) leading the way. The goaltender trio of Aaron Jatana, Quinton Reynolds and Brady Mielnicki has produced six shutouts. Now, the Bruins will see how they stack up in the postseason.

"I think every team is in the same boat as us," Mielnicki said. "These are single-elimination games and everyone wants to win both games this weekend. . . . I think our conference is weighted with stronger teams in general, but with that said, all it's going to really take for any team is to have a hot goaltender."

MaxPreps Colorado state ice hockey bracket

Indeed, the Foothills League is packed with contenders. Both 2012-13 title-game participants are back and stacked this year as the league's top two seeds. Ralston Valley (Arvada) (19-0-0) is aiming not only to repeat as champs, but to go unscathed for the season. Greg Dyba and Victor Lombardi have scored 17 goals apiece for the Mustangs.

Second-seeded Monarch (Louisville) (16-1-2) has lost only to Ralston Valley this season and earned home ice for the opening rounds. Walker Harris has scored 17 goals and recorded 25 assists for the Coyotes while Cameron Taggart has added 16 and 22. Monarch tied Regis Jesuit (Aurora) in the regular-season finale to secure home ice.

"Of course we would have liked to get the win, but our goal this whole season was to be a one or two seed to get the home playoffs," Monarch coach Jimmy Dexter said. "I don't think we lost at home in two years, so that tie was huge for us."

On the Peak Conference side, Mountain Vista (Highlands Ranch) (18-1) earned the top seed and enters the playoffs on a 12-game winning streak. The Golden Eagles are led by the high-scoring tandem of Brandon Tangney (23 goals, 19 assists) and Ryan Daugherty (22 goals, 19 assists).

Peak's No. 2 seed Lewis-Palmer (Monument), which could collide with Cherry Creek in the second round Saturday, has received 19 goals and16 assists from Dustin Jones and 17 goals and 18 assists from Julian Claudio. Third-seeded Heritage (Littleton) (11-8) finished the regular season strong and is riding momentum heading into the playoffs.

Also keep an eye on Bishop Machebeuf (Denver), a No. 4 seed that boasts the state's top two scorers in senior Nick Rems (30 goals, 34 assists) and junior Jack Longenecker (19 and 26). And speaking of No. 4 seeds, don't count out Regis Jesuit and standout goaltender Sam Harden. The Raiders won three of the previous five titles prior to last season.