Falcons head coach Frank Serratore plans to use
Hajner and Mike Phillipich on a line with Hobey
Hat Trick finalist Eric Ehn next year.
Key Statistics: One of
just four players to skate in all 40 of the Falcons'
games last season, Hajner led all Air Force rookies
offensively with 27 points (13 goals, 14 assists). Prior
to his enrollment in the academy Hajner's 36 goals for
Melfort led the entire Saskatchewan junior league in
2005-06.
What He Does: Learning
the game on a roller hockey rink in Vegas, Hajner didn't
even try ice hockey until he was 12. Like other players
who began playing with wheels instead of blades on their
skates, his is a creative, puck-handling finesse game,
and Hajner admits having to adjust to some of the speed
and grit of the college level. Maybe that's why he lists
weight-lifting as his favorite hobby.
The Bigger Picture:
Midway through his rookie season, Hajner had three or
four goals and was spending his ice time looking to
pass first and shoot later. Once he started putting
more pucks to the net in the second half, his game took
off faster than an F-16 under full power. After a season
spent on the team's second line and second power-play
unit, Falcons coach Frank Serratore plans on putting
Hajner on a top line with Mike Phillipich (who had 44
points last season) and Hobey finalist Eric Ehn right
from the start.
When reflecting on last year's near-upset
of Minnesota in the NCAA Tournament, Hajner said the
Gophers' previous tournament experience made the difference
in the last 10 minutes of the game. Now, with their
own postseason experience to draw upon, the team goal
is a return to the NCAAs and chance to play in the Frozen
Four before a friendly crowd just up the freeway in
Denver.
Falcons coach Frank Serratore
on Hajner: "Jeff has great hands and great
instincts. He's one of those kids who, when the puck
gets on his stick, is a natural scorer. College hockey
is a high-tempo game and I think it took about a half-year
for him to adjust to the pace. But the great players
make an adjustment, and he did."
