Jarrod Mermis To Take Leave Of Absence

According to Mike Chambers of the Denver Post DU forward Jarrod Mermis is taking a "Leave of Absence" from the team.  On Tuesday his brother Dakota left the Pioneers to join the OHL London Knights.

Chambers later Tweeted that Coach Gwozdecky expects Jarrod to rejoin the team.

DU's Lineup Against Bemidji Includes Omissions

#10 DU (9-5-2, 7-3-2 WCHA) @ Bemidji State (4-8-2, 3-7-2 WCHA)

Date:  Friday, December 14, 2012

Puck Drop: 6:37 p.m. (MT)

Site: Bemidji, Minn.

Arena: Sanford Center (4,373)

TV: None

Radio/Web: 102.3 FM ESPN (KDXP - Denver)

Several players are missing in action this weekend:

• Garrett Allen sent out a Twitter mentioning already being home and some sort of surgery.

• Jarrod Mermis is not in the lineup and whereabouts unknown.

• Larkin Jacobson is serving the final days of his suspension.

• Josiah Didier has an ankle injury.

Denver Post Profiles DU's Mermis Bothers

(above) Jarrod & Dakota Mermis

From: Denver Post
by Mike Chambers

Turkey and all the fixings will be a family affair for the majority of the University of Denver hockey team even though there is practice Thursday morning.

The Mermis brothers — junior Jarrod and freshman Dakota — are continuing a trend that has brought families together in the Mile High City over the winter holidays. Five sets of brothers have played for DU within the past five years [read entire article].

Denver 7 - Nebraska-Omaha 3 FINAL

The University of Denver scored five goals in the second period to break open a physical contest with the University of Nebraska-Omaha at Magness Arena.  DU walked away with a 7-3 victory.

What is becoming apparent is that this young hockey team can score a lot of goals in a hurry.  Friday night marked the third time in the last five games at Magness Arena that DU scored at least four goals in a period.

And while this might be the most explosive Pioneer team in the Gwozdecky era, the scoring load is being distributed evenly among the troops.  Nick Shore had two goals, while S. Ostrow, J. Mermis, Knowlton, LaLeggia and Drew Shore also scored.

Box Score

Denver Post Game Recap

Omaha World-Herald Game Recap

DU 3 - Minnesota Duluth 3 FINAL Overtime

(above) Catwalk view of DU-UMD game

The University of Denver twice held two goals leads over Minnesota-Duluth on Friday night in Magness Arena, but couldn't pull out a victory.   The game ended in a 3-3 tie with DU holding on for dear life in overtime.

Nick Shore led the way for DU with three assists.  DU goals were scored by Jarrod Mermis, Chris Knowlton and Daniel Doremus.

Boxscore

Connor Chatham Commits To University Of Denver

Already wearing DU swag

According to Chris Hiesenberg's Website, Connor Chatham (6'2 185 lbs) has given a verbal commitment to the University of Denver.  Chatham is from Shiloh, Illinois and is yet another product of the St. Louis Blues AAA program.  He is described as a big, strong power forward.

Chatham will play the next two seasons for the U.S. National Development Program in Ann Arbor, Michigan. In May he was drafted in the 5th Round of the OHL Draft by the Plymouth Whalers, but it appears that he will now take the college route.

NHL Central Scouting provided the following analysis.

“Chatham is a big bodied right winger who has missed a majority of this season with a shoulder injury, surgery and subsequent rehabilitation. Chatham possesses a very good and attractive collection of physical tools. He has legitimate size, he is an above average skater and he possesses a real good stick, especially his ability to finish. He has a very smooth and effective stride, and when he is moving his feet he shows some real high end speed and quickness. He uses his speed to skate up and down his wing, working himself into the open ice while supporting the play.”

Other St. Louis area players that have played at DU in recent seasons include Paul Stastny, Chris Butler, David Makowski & Jarrod Mermis.  Scott Mayfield will be a Freshman this season and Jarrod's younger brother Dakota Mermis will arrive in 2012.

2011 Recruiting Class
D Scott Mayfield (Youngstown, USHL)
F Zac Larraza (U.S. Under-18)
D Joey LaLeggia (Penticton Vees, BCHL)
F Larkin Jacobson (Janesville Jets, NAHL)
D-F Wade Bennett (Wichita Falls, NAHL)
F Matt Tabrum (Omaha, USHL)
D Josiah Didier (Cedar Rapids, USHL)
F Daniel Doremus (Sioux Falls, USHL)
G Juho Olkinuora (Sioux Falls, USHL)
F Ty Loney (Youngstown, USHL)

2012 Recruiting Class
F Tyler Pham (Indiana Ice, USHL)
D Dakota Mermis (U.S. Under-18)
D Matt Van Voorhis (Sioux Falls, USHL)
F Garrett Allen (Unknown)
D Nolan Zajac (Cedar Rapids, USHL)

2013 Recruiting Class
F Brad Hawkinson (Colorado Thunderbirds U-18)
F Landon Smith (Colorado Thunderbirds U-18)
F Connor Chatham (U.S. Under-17)

2014 Recruiting Class
F Jared Fiegl (Colorado Rampage, U-16)

Jarrod Mermis - DU's Most Improved Hockey Player

(above) Unleash The Mermis

From: The Telegraph

by Pete Hayes

Midway through the recently completed college hockey season, University of Denver freshman Jarrod Mermis had an epiphany:

Simplify.

"I started kind of slow," said Mermis, a former Alton High Redbird and Telegraph Hockey Player of the Year. "I was struggling in some areas. The coaches told me to simplify my game. They told me not to try and do too much with the puck."

Simple meant improved for Mermis, who turned his season around so much that he earned a permanent spot at left wing and last week was awarded the team's Murray Armstrong Memorial Award as its most improved player of the season.

"I was surprised," said Mermis, 21. "It really means a lot to me. I wasn't expecting to be recognized for anything like that."

Mermis received his award at the team's 55th annual Hockey Awards Night.

"It's important to me because my teammates voted on it," he said. "I kind of look at it as the Hardest Working Player Award, because if I was the most improved, I probably had to work the hardest."

After the decision to simplify his game, Mermis went from seeing action in just 10 games the first half of the season to playing in 20 games the second half. He had seven points on four goals and three assists, including key goals against St. Cloud State and Bemidgi State.

The University of Denver has one of the top NCAA Division I hockey programs in the nation with seven national championships, including back-to-back titles in 2004 and 2005.

This season was supposed to be a rebuilding one for the Pioneers, but they went 25-12-5 and came within a victory of advancing to the NCAA Finals — the Frozen Four. Denver lost to No. 2-ranked North Dakota 6-1 in the Midwest Regional final. It was the Pioneers' fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance.

"I thought our team performed unbelievably this year," Mermis said. "We had lost a lot of players from last year, but between the freshmen and upperclassmen, we shocked some people.

"Two weeks before (playing North Dakota in the regional final), we lost to them 3-2 in two overtimes," Mermis said.

Mermis has fallen in love with the school and with the city of Denver.

"I really like it in Denver," said Mermis, who is majoring in mathematics. "It's a great school and a great city. I'm so glad I came to Denver."

Even though hockey season is officially over, Mermis is putting his skates to use.

"I do about four workouts a week," he said. "I can't stay away from it."

WCHA Final 5 Semi-Final: DU 6 - Bemidji State 2

(above) Nick Shore receives props from the boys

Denver Post Photo Slideshow

The University of Denver found themselves in familiar territory after the first period on Friday night at the X-Cel Center.  They were trailing Bemidji State 2-1 and were being outshot and outworked by a considerable margin.

The Pioneers changed the formula slightly when Kyle Ostrow scored the first goal of the game on a power play.  The Beavers quickly responded with two quick goals.

Drew Shore scored a beautiful goal in the second period to tie the game.

The Comback Kids rose to the occasion once again and scored four goals in another dominating third period.  Nick Shore, Jarrod Mermis, The Goal Czar and Kyle Ostrow scored in third.

With the victory, DU remained in 6th place in the Pairwise Rankings that determine the seedings for the NCAA Tournament.

Box Score

Denver Post Game Recap

Pairwise Rankings

Newest DU Hockey Fan Is NFL Hall Of Famer

(above) NFL great Randall McDaniel was sporting a DU cap on Saturday night in Mariucci Arena

Randall McDaniel is the University of Denver's latest high-profile supporter. The NFL Hall of Famer and 12 time Pro Bowler is the uncle of current player Jarrod Mermis and future recruit Dakota Mermis, who will enroll at DU in 2012.

On Saturday night McDaniel and his family were cheering on the Pioneers in Minneapolis where they reside. McDaniel played for the Minnesota Vikings for 11 seasons and is considered to be one of the greatest offensive linemen in NFL history.

Dakota Mermis is not the only member of DU's future recruiting classes with famous athletic relatives. Forward Garrett Allen's aunt is five-time Olympic Gold Medalist, speed skater Bonnie Blair. 2011 recruit Larkin Jacobson's step-father is two-time Stanley Cup winning forward Ruslan Fedotenko, who currently plays for the NY Rangers.

2011 Recruiting Class

D Scott Mayfield (Youngstown, USHL)
F Zac Larraza (U.S. Under-18)
F Garrett Allen (Fargo, USHL)
D Joey LaLeggia (Penticton Vees, BCHL)
F Larkin Jacobson (Janesville Jets, NAHL)
D Wade Bennett (Wichita Falls, NAHL)
F Matt Tabrum (Omaha, USHL)

2012 Recruiting Class
D Matt Van Voorhis (U.S. Under-18)
F Tyler Pham (Colorado Thunderbirds-U18)
D Dakota Mermis (U.S. Under-17)
D Josiah Didier (Cedar Rapids, USHL)
F Daniel Doremus (Sioux Falls, USHL)

2013 Recruiting Class
F Brad Hawkinson (Colorado Thunderbirds-U18)

Denver Post: DU Freshmen Match Projections

(left) With two goals in the last three games, Jarrod Mermis is the latest DU Freshman to contribute significantly to the team's success

From: Denver Post
by Mike Chambers

Just as coach George Gwozdecky and his staff hoped in September, a fine group of freshmen has eliminated the University of Denver's fear of chalking up 2010-11 as a rebuilding season.

Given that DU lost four of its top five scorers, an all-America goalie and nine players overall from its WCHA regular-season title team of 2009-10, the program's ability to sustain a high level of success has to be credited to its young replacements [read rest of article].

Denver 5 - Alaska Anchorage 1 FINAL

(above) Boone & this future Pioneer hockey player were featured on the Fox broadcast last night

The University of Denver rolled to a 5-2 victory over the University of Alaska-Anchorage in Magness Arena on Saturday night.

UAA jumped out to an early 1-0 lead, but a three goal explosion late in the first period sealed the game. Jarrod "Never Nervous" Mermis scored his first career goal from a beautiful pass from Beau Bennett to open the scoring. Two minutes later Anthony Maiani scored a shorthanded goal that seemed to break the back of the Seawolves. 23 seconds later Beau Bennett added a highlight reel goal.

Kyle Ostrow scored early in the second period, that capped a stunning four goals in under five minute explosion. Jason Zucker nailed the coffin shut with a third period tally.

DU stands all alone in first place the WCHA.

Box Score

Denver Post Game Recap

Anchorage Daily News Game Recap

Pairwise Rankings

WCHA Standings

News & Notes From Around PioNation

2012 DU recruit Josah Didier (6'2 200 lbs) looks like he is going to be one heck of a find for the Pioneers. He is tied for third in the USHL for assists by a defenseman. Didier already won a National Championship with the AAA Colorado Thunderbirds as a 16 year-old.

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DU players Sam Brittain and David Makowski picked up some WCHA league honors yesterday. Brittain was named WCHA Defensive Player of the Week and Makowski was named Rookie of the Week. For Brittain, its his third WCHA weekly award so far this season.

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SB Nation writer Evan Pfaff thinks that the University of Denver should reconsider joining the WAC. He doesn't seem to think the conference will survive.

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Speaking of the WAC, the Denver Post has an article about the latest rumors of schools thinking about or declining offers to join the conference. TCU, Seattle, Hawaii and North Texas are all mentioned.

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The next shoe to fall could be Utah State. Supposedly they have already been invited to join the Mountain West but declined out of loyalty to the WAC. With Hawaii's impending departure all bets may be off.

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Things are not off to a good start for the PioNation basketball program. An 0-4 start isn't the end of the world, but then the team's brand spanking new blog "The Pioneer Post" had to change their name to the "Pioneer Pulse."

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Three younger brothers of DU hockey players won Gold Medals last week at the Four Nations Cup for Team USA Under-17s. Supposedly. Seth Jones, the younger brother of Justin Jones, was the best player on the ice all week. Seth Jones is considered to be a potential 2012 NHL first round draft selection. Quentin Shore, the third of four Shore brothers, is reportedly looking at the University of Wisconsin and other schools as well as DU. Dakota Mermis, brother of DU forward Jarrod Mermis, played on the blueline for Team USA and has already committed to DU on 2012.

2011 Recruiting Class
D Scott Mayfield (Youngstown, USHL)
F Zac Larraza (U.S. Under-18)
F Garrett Allen (Fargo, USHL)
D Matt Van Voorhis (U.S. Under-18)
D Joey LaLeggia (Penticton Vees, BCHL)
F Larkin Jacobson (Janesville Jets, NAHL)

2012 Recruiting Class
F Tyler Pham (Colorado Thunderbirds-U18)
D Dakota Mermis (U.S. Under-17)
D Josiah Didier (Cedar Rapids, USHL)
F Daniel Doremus (Sioux Falls, USHL)

DU 6 - Minnesota State 1 FINAL

The University of Denver rolled to a 6-1 victory over Minnesota State on Saturday night. Anthony Maiani scored his 100th career point after recording two goals and an assist. He scored both a power play goal and a shorthanded goal.

Beau Bennett scored his first collegiate goal in the first period.

Luke Salazar's two goals upped his season total to 7 goals.

Denver Post Game Recap

Mankato Free Press Game Recap

WCHA Standings


1st Period

DU Goal - Maiani (Donovan, Makowski) 5 on 3 PP

DU Goal - Salazar (Zucker)

DU Goal - Bennett (Makowski, Maiani)

2nd Period

MSU Goal - Zuck (Louwerse)

3rd Period

DU Goal - Salazar (Mermis)

DU Goal - Makowski

DU Goal - Maiani SH

DU Lineup

Zucker (A), D. Shore, Salazar (2G)
Maiani (2G,A), K. Ostrow, Bennett (G)
Knowlton, N. Shore, S. Ostrow
Mermis (A), Dewhurst, Cook

Donovan (A), Nutini
Ryder, Makowski (G,2A)
Wrenn, Phillips

Brittain, Murray, Rosenholtz

Players With Ties To DU Make USNDT-Under17

USA Hockey announced the roster for the USNDP-Under 17 Team yesterday. Three players with ties to DU were selected to the team.

2012 DU recruit Dakota Mermis (5'10 165) was selected as one of the eight defensemen. Mermis has been mentioned as a possible 1st Round Draft Choice in the 2012 NHL Draft. Dakota's older brother Jarrod will suit up as a Freshman at DU this season.

Quentin Shore (6'0 165), younger brother of DU players Drew and Nick Shore was selected as a forward. Quentin has been offered a scholarship by DU, but he is still weighing his options.

Lastly, Seth Jones (6'3 183), considered by many to be a surefire NHL 1st Round pick in 2012 was also selected to the team. Jones' older brother, Justin, will be a Freshman forward at DU this season. Both brothers started playing youth hockey in Denver, while their father Popeye Jones played for the Denver Nuggets.

Some were surprised that DU recruit Tyler Pham wasn't selected to the Under-17 team. He was one of 47 players invited to tryout for the team over the summer. We're guessing he'll play in the USHL for the next two seasons. It is often mentioned that a developing player is better off playing on the top two lines in the USHL that being shuffled down the bench on the USNDT.

2011 Recruiting Class
D Scott Mayfield (Youngstown, USHL)
F Zac Larraza (U.S. Under-18)
F Garrett Allen (Fargo, USHL)
D Matt Van Voorhis (U.S. Under-18)
D Daniel Doremus (Colorado Thunderbirds, AAA)

2012 Recruiting Class
F Tyler Pham (Team Illinios)
D Dakota Mermis (U.S. Under 17)
D Josiah Didier (Cedar Rapids, USHL)

DU Recruit Dakota Mermis Draws Praise

From: College Hockey 247.com
by Michale Spath

USA Hockey has filled 17 spots for its National Team Development Program Under-17 team for next season, including the defensemen.

CollegeHockey247.com spoke to USA Director of Player Personnel Ryan Rezmierski for his thoughts on the blue liners, including 2011 DU recruit Dakota Mermis.

Alton, Ill., defender Dakota Mermis committed to the University of Denver in early March, jumping at the chance to play two seasons with older brother Jarrod.

"Dakota is a very impressive young man," Rezmierski said. "He's a little under the radar and strength will be his biggest issue -- he's only 5-10, 165 pounds right now -- but he's another offensive-minded, puck-moving defenseman. He'll be just as good on the penalty kill as the power play because he is willing to play both ends of the rink.

"He has a big frame, and we project that he'll eventually carry 195 pounds, so he has some growth coming.

"Everybody just loves this kid. He's a leader and one of the things we noticed at our Evaluation Camp was when we put these kids through some adversity, they asked Dakota to lead. He commands that respect very quickly and his intangibles, as well as his on-ice skill, will provide him a great chance to succeed here and down the road."

News & Notes From Around PioNation

The University of Denver men's lacrosse team will host No. 6 Loyola University at INVESCO Field at Mile High today at 1 p.m. MT in the final regular season home game for the Pioneers. DU has a seven game winning streak and today's game will be for an NCAA tournament bid. Loyola has most likely already clinched an At-large bid.

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As expected, Jason Zucker's performance at the World Under 18 Championships sent his NHL Draft stock upwards. He cracked the Top 30 of the International Scouting Service's List of Top 30 Prospects for the upcoming NHL Draft. Zucker and incoming Freshman Beau Bennet both have a chance of being selected in the first round of the NHL Draft in June.

Jason Zucker, LW -- USA Under 18
Consistent, aggressive and energetic, Zucker is a warrior and is willing to do the little things it takes to win. Compete level around the net is excellent. Fished puck out of scramble behind net and quickly centered it to set up 1-0 goal in 1st at the U18s. Has easily been one of the best forwards for any team in this tournament.

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Adding fuel to the "Coach Gwozdecky Contract Fiasco" the University of Wisconsin was able to sign hockey coach Mike Eaves to a contract extension through 2015.

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DU Alum Kevin Ulanski has been named the Most Valuable Player of the Central Hockey League. Ulanski had 34 goals, 75 assists and a league-best 109 points this season for the Colorado Eagles. He also led the league with a plus-45 rating.

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2011 recruit Scott Mayfield was selected by the Kitchener Rangers in the 6th Round of the OHL Draft. Since Mayfield's parents attended DU Law School together, its pretty likely that he'll attend Denver in 2011.

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2012 recruit Dakota Mermis was selected in the 12th round of the OHL Draft by the London Knights. No doubt the Knights will try and pry Mermis away from playing at DU, but there are a couple of reasons to think that he will play for the Pioneers. His other brother Jarrod is coming to DU next season and his father is a school teacher so presumably a college education is a priority for the family.

DU Recruit Dakota Mermis Wins High School Award

(above) 2012 DU recruit Dakota Mermis is considered to be one of the top 16 year-old hockey players in the country

From: The Telegraph.com
by Pete Hayes

When it came to leadership, the Alton High School Redbirds (Alton, Illinois) couldn't miss this season. In was trouble for AHS opponents when Dakota Mermis was on the ice.

Mermis, a sophomore, shared Telegraph Player of the Year honors for the 2009-2010 season with teammate Nick Edwards. Mermis has developed into one of the top players in the Midwest and was recently selected for the U.S. Under-17 National Team.

In addition to playing for the Redbirds, high-level club hockey has become a big part of his lives as well.

The Redbirds finished 11-4 and in second place in the Mississippi Valley Club Hockey Association's North Division behind champion Edwardsville. The Redbirds edged rival Granite City by a half-game in the final regular season standings, something in which Mermis and Edwards took pride.

For Mermis, sharing this year's Player of the Year award with Edwards has special significance. His older brother, Jarrod Mermis, is a former Player of the Year and recently received a scholarship to play NCAA Division I hockey at the University of Denver, one of the top hockey schools in the nation. Dakota will follow Jarrod, he recently announced. He has made a verbal commitment to play there in two years.

"We'll get to play together two seasons," Dakota said. "That's something I'm looking forward to."

"We had a really good group of players," Mermis said. "It's really neat at school, too. A lot of the kids support the hockey team" (read entire article).

Colorado Producing Many Elite Hockey Prospects

(left) DU recruit Tyler Pham is expected to be selected for the USNDP Under-17 Team in two weeks

This weekend USA announced that 47 players born in 1994 have been invited to the U.S. Development Camp (March 27-30 Ann Arbor, Michigan). From these players, those selected will play for the USDNP-Under 17 Team next season. A couple of the invited players have University of Denver connections.

Tyler Pham has already committed to DU and will play for the Pioneers in 2012. Originally from Ft. Collins, Pham played for Team Illinois this past season. Most observers expect Pham to make the USNDT.

Hiesenberg's Website now has Dakota Mermis committing to play for DU in 2010. He plays for the St. Louis Jr. Blues and will come to DU to play with his brother, Jarrod. Dakota is considered a lock to make the USNDT.

One of Drew & Nick Shore's younger brothers, Quentin has also been invited to the Camp. Nick will play for the Pioneers next season and who doesn't want to see all three brothers in Crimson & Gold on the "Shore Line" in 2012.

Three other players invited to the Camp play for the Colorado Thunderbirds Junior program. Bradley Hawkinson is a forward from Aurora, Matais Cleland is a defenseman from Boulder and Gavin Stoick is a forward from Portland, Oregon.

Mike Chambers Blog has details on another former Thurderbird player who is now playing in Dallas. That's 7 out of 47 players that have Colorado or DU connections at the Camp.

Dakota Mermis Commits To DU

(above) Reports have Dakota Mermis committing to DU last week

Edit: Its now official. Dakota Mermis will play for DU in 2012.

There is no official confirmation yet from any of the usual sources, but LetsGoDU has reports that defenseman Dakota Mermis (5'10 170 lbs) committed to the University of Denver last week. Most likely on the same day that his older brother, Jarrod said he would attend DU next Fall. While this must still be classified as a rumor, we're fairly certain that its a firm verbal agreement.

Dakota just turned 16 in January and is a Sophomore in high school in Alton, IL. He is considered to be an elite recruit and will most likely play for the U.S. National Development Program in Ann Arbor next season if he is selected. He would attend DU in the Fall of 2012.

Dakota is a very talented defenseman who was being watched by several OHL Major Junior teams for their upcoming OHL Draft. He is described by scouts as a smooth skater with a rocket for a shot. The best news is that he is yet another hockey playing honor student with a 4.0 GPA.

Dakota played two games for the Lincoln Stars in the USHL this season despite being just 15 years old at the time (players in the USHL can be as old as 20). He also attended the Stars Try-Out Camp before the season to gain additional experience. The Black & Blue Blog reported at the time that could have easily made the team, but perhaps his parents felt he was too young to endure the rigors of a USHL season. He would have been one of the two or three youngest players in the league.

Needless to say that if its true, and we have a second hand confirmation that it is, its a big commitment.

2010 Recruiting Class
F Jason Zucker (U.S. Under-18)
D David Makowski (Green Bay, USHL)
F Nick Shore (U.S. Under-18)
F Beau Bennett (Penticton, BCHL)
F Dan Olszewski (St. Louis, NAHL)
F Jarrod Mermis (Lincoln, USHL)

2011 Recruiting Class
D Scott Mayfield (Youngstown, USHL)
F Zac Larraza (U.S. Under-17)
G Sam Brittain (Canmore, AJHL)
F Garrett Allen (Fargo, USHL)
D Matt Van Voorhis (U.S. Under-17)
D Daniel Doremus (Colorado Thunderbirds, AAA)

2012 Recruiting Class
F Tyler Pham (Team Illinios)
D Dakota Mermis (St. Louis Jr. Blues, AAA)

Mermis Brothers Both Won Youth Titles In 2007

(above) Jarrod Mermis is DU's newest recruit

In the past week Jerrod Mermis committed to attend the University of Denver next Fall. There are unconfirmed rumors that his younger brother, Dakota, may be in DU's pipeline as well. We found this story online from April 2007 about the Mermis family. Its a great read.

From: The Alton Telegraph
by Peter Hayes
April 16, 2007

These sorts of things are supposed to happen just once in a lifetime - if they happen at all. Winning a championship can elude even the best teams and athletes, no matter what sport. But for the Mermis family of Alton, Illinois once-in-a-lifetime is becoming routine.

Jarrod Mermis and his younger brother, Dakota, played key roles in helping their respective club hockey teams capture national championships recently. In fact, they did it on the same weekend - more than 300 miles apart.

“It’s definitely been a roller-coaster ride, to say the least - a good way,” said Jolene Mermis, the boys’ mother. “I think this could be a first.”

Indeed. But that’s not all - the national title was the second straight for Jarrod Mermis and the fourth consecutive for his team, the St. Louis Junior Blues, who captured their Junior B crown April 1 in Grand Rapids, Mich.

While Jarrod was helping his team stage a dramatic comeback en route to a national title, kid brother Dakota was in Buffalo, N.Y. helping his Affton Americans skate to the USA Hockey 12-and-under Tier III national championship.

And what about the boys’ dad, Bil Mermis? Even though he coaches Dakota’s Affton team, Bil Mermis was able to catch his older son’s title-game win.

“(Affton’s) championship game was Sunday and Jarrod’s team played Monday,” Bil Mermis said. “I was able to rent a car in Buffalo, go up and around through Canada and back to Grand Rapids. We got there before the third period their semifinal game.

“It was a phenomenal experience.”

Winning a tournament, a conference or a state championship is difficult enough - just ask any coach or player. Just winning games is difficult, period.

“We set some really high goals for our team this year,” said Bil Mermis, who is a fourth-grade social studies and math teacher at Forsythe School in Clayton as well as the head coach of the Alton High hockey club.

“It was just a question of whether we’d put the pieces together and be playing our best at the right time.”

The Americans defeated the Phoenix Firebirds 2-1 in the national championship game. Dakota Mermis scored the game’s first goal just 1:53 into the first period. In the semifinals, they defeated the San Jose Junior Sharks 4-2. Other wins were over Saratoga, N.Y., Indianapolis and Hatfield, Pa.

To advance to the tournament, Affton grabbed two wins in the Missouri Amateur Hockey playoffs and four more in the USA Hockey Central District qualifier. In all, the Americans won 12 consecutive games to win their national crown.

Meanwhile, back in Michigan, the Junior Blues actually came close to seeing their string of national titles end at three. Facing elimination after a second-round defeat, they found themselves needing to defeat Boston Junior Bruins by at least 10 goals to stay alive.

Final Score: Blues 11, Bruins 1.

Jarrod Mermis, a junior at Alton High School, scored a pair of goals in the Junior Blues’ dramatic victory. After the rout over Boston, they defeated Suffolk, Mass 6-2 to advance to the national championship showdown with the New Hampshire Monarchs. St. Louis skated to a 4-0 win on four first-period goals, including one by Mermis.

In the national tourney, Mermis had seven points on four goals and three assists.

Jarrod Mermis, an MVCHA All-Star and two-time Telegraph All-Area selection, had 25 goals and 31 assists for the Junior Blues and had three game-winning goals.

Any sibling rivalry at the Mermis home when it comes to hockey?

“Not overtly,” Bil Mermis said. “If any, it’s more of a positive thing. I think they’re happy for each other.

“Dakota went with me to watch Jarrod’s games and when the (Blues’) coach found out we were there, he had somebody bring Dakota down to the dressing room with his national championship medal. He laid the medal out for all the players to see and said, ‘Here’s one national championship medal - now you guys do out and win another one.’”

They did.