How E.J. Emery has expanded his game as Frozen Four approaches
Apr. 4—GRAND FORKS — UND head coach Dane Jackson didn't directly push for more offense from sophomore defenseman E. J.
Emery late in the season. Instead, Emery's natural development of making the right, quick decision and gaining comfort with the puck has morphed the defensive-minded defenseman into consistently finding his way on the scoresheet. As UND approaches Thursday's Frozen Four opener against Wisconsin at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Emery — a No.
30 overall 2024 NHL Draft pick by the New York Rangers — has eight points in his last 10 games. The production comes after a freshman season that produced one point in 31 games. Scoring hasn't been a major part of Emery's game in the past.
He had two goals and 10 assists in 60 games with the U. S. U-17 team in the 2022-23 season and no goals and 16 assists in 61 games with the U.
S. U-18 team in the 2023-24 season. "I think it just goes to his mindset to play the right way," Jackson said.