Premium ContentMouse over Home then click on Premium Content for information.The junior from Minocqua, Wis., also serves as one of the Mavericks' assistant captains. More comfortable on the left wing, Gwidt has filled in at center on the Mavs' third line. He has a career-high five goals and six assists, with many of his goals coming in key situations. Before coming to UNO, he was drafted in the sixth round by the Washington Capitals and played with the USHL's Indiana Ice.
Q: You've been asked to play center, both during Alex Hudson's suspension early in the year and now again since he was dismissed from the team in December. How has the adjustment gone for you?
A: With Huddy being dismissed, I had to step up at the center position, and I'm not a natural center. But I talked to the coaches about stepping into that position and taking a lot of pride in it. It's a spot we needed to fill. I've just tried to focus, practiced on my faceoffs and got ready.
Q: Your goals seem to come at key times — the first goal during the comeback win at Wisconsin, another in the win over Bemidji State the night after a disappointing tie, the first goal against Alabama-Huntsville the night after a shocking upset, then in both games in a key nonconference series with Quinnipiac — do you just have a knack for converting in key times?
A: I guess that's just how it's worked out, but being a leader on the team, it's cool that it's worked out that way. And a lot of my goals have come from going to the net, too, and guys like Johnnie Searfoss (in the Quinnipiac series) making great plays.
Q: What led to you deciding to attend UNO?
A: When I came on my visit, it felt right. The facilities are top-notch compared to around the country. I liked Omaha. I liked the campus. It gave you that homey feeling. I knew as soon as I came here that this is where I wanted to be for four years.
Q: You centered a line with freshmen James Polk and Andrew Schmit in the big series with Minnesota-Duluth, and you had the key assist on Schmit's game-winner in the second game. What did you think about that combination?
A: I thought we played real well. Those are two guys who, throughout the year, have been in and out of the lineup, and with two freshmen on the line I felt like I had to do a pretty good amount of leading. I thought we possessed the puck well and we were out there for some big shifts.
Q: What was your reaction to Schmit's game-winner, which was also his first collegiate goal?
A: I didn't see it go in. The only thing that made me realize it had was the crowd's reaction. He was so excited. And I knew it was his first goal, so the first thing I did then was scoop the puck out of the net and give it to the equipment manager. That's always a big remembrance. It's always big to get your first goal, and it's cool that he got to score that big of one.
Q: You and your Indiana Ice teammates beat current UNO coach Dean Blais and the Fargo Force for the USHL championship, the Clark Cup, in 2009. How much does that come up these days?
A: In the three years I've been here, it has never come up. And I don't plan on it coming up. He's a competitor, and I'm a competitor, and I know he doesn't like to lose more than anyone I've ever met. So I don't see it coming up.
Q: You were the captain of that team and are an assistant captain now. Have you always felt like you've been a leader on your teams and what do titles like that mean to you?
A: It means a lot. It's something I take pride in. Even my first two years in juniors, I made sure I learned as much as I could from the leaders themselves, because their teammates trust them just like a coach.
Q: What do you and your roommates (Terry Broadhurst, Fredrik Bergman, Ryan Walters and Alex Simonson) do in your spare time?
A: We've got a big house, so a lot of hanging out gets done at our place. It's three stories, with a couple decks to hang out on during the spring and summer. Guys are always coming over. We're usually watching hockey, whenever it is on and no matter who is playing.
Q: Who is the one guy on the team whose skin is easiest for you to get under?
A: Oh, that's Broadhurst. We've been best friends since our freshman year, and we're always joshing each other — it's all in good fun. I know how to get under his skin, and he knows how to get under mine.
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