Austin Bruins forward Austin Salani announced his commitment to the Dartmouth Big Green last week. Salani has helped the Bruins win the Central Division of the North American Hockey League this season. (Photo courtesy of the North American Hockey League)

AUSTIN, Minn. — Making the jump from high school hockey to the junior ranks is, by no means, an easy task. Just ask former Hancock Bulldogs standout Austin Salani. After averaging over 40 points a season for four years with the Bulldogs, Salani has discovered a fundamental truth about the next level.

“So, that transition from high school to junior, it’s a big jump,” he said. “The speed of the overall game, from high school to junior, is just, it’s not very close at all. Junior is much faster, much more physical, everyone’s better, and everyone’s looking to get a scholarship.”

Salani, who plays wing for the Austin Bruins, who finished at the top of the Central Division of the North American Hockey League (NAHL), learned quickly that he needed to focus on specific aspects of his game, if he wanted to stand out.

“So, the biggest thing for me was during that jump last year was coming to the rink every day, doing my job, then when it came to game time, just doing a few things specifically very well to get myself out on the ice and trying to help my team win, get some minutes, taking big (defensive zone) draws,” he said. “Whether it was that, getting pucks out at the end of a game, playing physical, getting to the front of the net, those little things go a long way, and those are things that not a lot of people like to do. A lot of times, if you’re willing to do that, and you’re good at them, then it doesn’t matter where you’re gonna play really, whether it’s the USHL (United States Hockey League or the NAHL (North American Hockey League), you’re going to get some minutes if you can do those things.

“So, that was the biggest thing for me coming from high school to junior last year, was just doing those things well, and try to keep up with the pace.”

How quickly a player learns how to handle those little things make all the difference, something else Salani grew to understand.

“You have to be an all-around, 200-foot hockey player, both defensively and offensively,” he said. “You look at the USHL, and those blue chip, top 5% guys in the country, it’s a great league but, that comes with a little bit of different aspects to it regarding the physicality of it and the older age of it.

“If you’re not going to do your job for your team and then you’re not doing well, you’re gonna get replaced. So, you just have to come out every day, make sure you’re willing to work, you want to be here, and you want to win. It’s a great league for opportunity, obviously. I think they call it the league for opportunity. But, uh, uh it’s a great league, and, so far, I’ve been pretty successful.”

He isn’t kidding. As a rookie last season, Salani scored nine goals and 19 points in 57 games, which is a respectable first season. This year, he has grown his game by leaps and bounds, jumping to 15 goals and 47 points in 52 games. He has helped the Bruins finish the season with a 34-16-3-7 record this season for 78 points.

“I had a solid first year, nothing great,” he said. “But, definitely, it wasn’t a terrible year. Coming in from last year, I knew where I stood with coach, and I’d be coming in, I’d be getting more minutes, and playing a bigger role. I think, right from the start of the year, I had some good games, and this year, I just kind of slid into that bigger role, creating offense more and still

taking all those (defensive) zone draws, being the two-way forward.

“Playing more on the power play, and playing with our other top guys, we’ve had some success. So, I think just the overall skills that I developed from last year, and then the start of this year, is kind of really what got me to where I am now, playing that big role. Once you come in for that second year, and your coach trusts you, and he knows what skills you possess, and what you bring to the table, I think, a lot of times, that second year is where either you make a big jump or you don’t.”

Part of what has helped Salani put up impressive numbers in his second season is that he has had 12 multi-point games. However, he understands that scoring is not what wins playoff games at the end of day.

“It has been great being able to put up a number of points, and I think it shows, a little bit, how far I came from last year, and that’s great,” he said. “But at the end of the day, the points aren’t everything. That’s not really my role to go out there and light up the stat sheet, but, (rather) just do whatever I can to help the team succeed is the biggest goal. Luckily, I’ve been able to do that, and help the team this year.”

For most of the first half of the season, Salani skated alongside the Bruins’ leading goal scorer, Walter Zacher, and rookie Dylan Cook. The Bruins cruised through much of the first half, but hit a bit of a speed bump around mid-season, so Salani and Cook were then paired with another rookie in Josh Guiliani. Being paired on a line with two rookies gave Salani a chance to be a leader, and he thrived in that role.

“I mean it shows that he can trust me playing with them and whatnot, and hold them accountable,” Salani said. “But, I mean, at the same time, I think it’s kind of kudos to them more, I mean, these are younger guys coming in, and they’re making a difference right away. They’re both having really, really strong years, and they’ll both probably be committing here soon.

“It just shows that our team is going to be in good hands next year, with those guys coming back, and possibly me. That’s kind of a plan right now.”

While the plan for next year is get one more season of junior hockey under his belt, Salani is also excited for the next stage of his hockey career. Last week, he announced his commitment to Dartmouth College. He feels like the school and the game will both be a good fit for him.

“I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity that I am going to get to play at Dartmouth,” he said. ” Coach (Reid) Cashman over there is a great coach, and I’ve heard nothing but fantastic things about him, and their assistants. My parents are super proud of me, and I just want to thank them for everything they’ve done.”

The Big Green’s coaching staff identified Salani as a potential fit on the ice, and then, once he visited the campus, Salani knew the school would also be a great place to earn an education.

“I’m super thankful I was put on the spot to succeed this year in junior hockey, and thankfully, Coach Cashman and Coach Troy (Thibodeau) noticed that, and kind of developed a relationship with me through the year,” said Salani. “(We have) kind of built a good base there, and they eventually invited me out for a visit. My parents and I went out there, and I loved it.

“So, I’m super excited for the opportunity I have to play at Dartmouth, not just with with hockey, but with school as well. Obviously, it’s an Ivy League school, so I’m super excited to get a great education from there.”

Salani keeps in touch with his parents, especially since his father, Chris, played college football at Michigan State. He said he talks to both of his parents daily, and that has helped him with making a decision about the best fit for him, both academically and athletically.

“I talked with my dad on pretty much everything regarding advice, so, yeah, we’ve talked a lot about that,” he said. “My dad’s helped me, and my mom’s helped me, a lot with this whole recruiting process, and with just totally everything.”

He has also been in contact with Cashman and Thibodeau, who have helped him understand the class burden. Salani feels that he is ready for that challenge when it comes.

“Time management is going to be a big thing for me with homework and whatnot,” said Salani. “I’m well aware of what I have to do, what I can’t do. So, it’s a little daunting, but at the same time, I feel like I’m a pretty good person when it comes down to not wasting time and procrastinating, and (instead) getting things done. So, I think I’ll be all right.”

Playoff schedule

The Bruins hosted their series opener on Friday night against the Minot Minotaurs. Saturday, the teams will meet again at 8:05 p.m. Games three and four, if necessary, will be played in Minot, North Dakota, on Friday, April 28, and Saturday, April 29. If a Game Five is necessary, it will be back in Austin on Sunday, April 30.