Heading into the season, Bismarck Bobcats coach Byron Pool touted Nick Jensen as one of the top 15 forwards in the NAHL. After a slow start, Jensen is starting to live up to that hype.
The Danish power forward has steadily elevated his play until it has reached a dominant level in recent weeks. Jensen has four goals and five assists in his last five games, helping the Bobcats solidify their hold on first place in the Central Division.
The Bobcats are hoping for more of the same as they head to Albert Lea for a weekend series against the Thunder.
"We need him to be that big man," Bobcats coach Byron Pool said. "We need him to be that force on the forecheck, because when he does have the puck down low, there's not too many guys in the league who can play with him.
"The other side of that is that he has such tremendous skill and vision, he makes a lot of offense."
Jensen has really been clicking since being put on a line with fellow veterans Jason Fabian and Sean McKenzie. Fabian and Jensen had shown a spark when they played together last season. McKenzie, acquired from Wichita Falls earlier this season, has provided the grit to complement Jensen's strength and Fabian's speed.
"We've really connected well," Jensen said. "Jason and I are two big bodies, and Sean works hard. It makes us tough to play against."
Pool loves the combination.
"Jason has got the top-end speed, and Nick has a bit better hands and vision," Pool said. "They're two elite players. ... Sean has been the sandpaper. Now you've got three 20-year-old guys who have scored 15 goals in this league."
Last season Jensen had 12 goals and 22 assists while helping the Bobcats to a Central Division title and a trip to the Robertson Cup tournament.
Pool was expecting the 6-foot-3, 210-pound winger to pick up where he left off. But Jensen struggled early this season. Not only was he slowed by the flu, but Pool believes that having Bemidji State show an interest, then back off, affected Jensen's preparation.
"He was in good shape, but not in good enough shape to play the minutes that we wanted him to play," Pool said. "All the minutes Nick plays are heavy - down low on the power play, as a power forward, on the penalty kill."
But since notching just five points in his first 10 games, Jensen has racked up 17 in his last 16 outings, more than doubling his point-per-game average. Jensen's hot streak corresponds with Bismarck's rise from last to first in the division standings.
"The more playing time I've gotten, the better it's been," Jensen said. "I've been able to cut loose and start rolling."
College teams are starting to take notice. The University of Minnesota has been talking to Jensen, and MSU-Mankato has shown an interest.
"He has what a lot of teams are looking for," Pool said. "He's an older guy, big, with a left-handed shot who can play power forward."
Jensen knows if he can keep up his current level of play, he may get a shot at the WCHA.
"I've been talking to the Gophers, and that would be exciting," Jensen said. "They would like to see me play this way consistently."
