St. Thomas Academy's Schurhamer a 'Modern-Day Defenseman'

St. Thomas Academy defenseman Eric Schurhamer is used to getting hit by hockey pucks.

“My dad always built a rink in our back yard,” said the senior standout.  “I started off with my brothers shooting pucks at me while I was laying on the ice.”

Those early barrages from his brothers helped to lay the foundation for a high school career that saw Schurhamer win a state title with the Cadets last season and again has them at the top of the rankings this season. They also helped Schurhamer realize he loved to play the game.

“I think the first year of Bantams playing with the Wisconsin Fire is when it really hit me,” said Schurhamer. “That’s when I realized this was something I could do for a long time.”

If all goes according to plan, Schurhamer could do just that.

The senior defenseman may join the Chicago Steel of the United States Hockey League (USHL) at the end of the current STA hockey season and has verbally committed to play Division I college hockey at the University of Maine beginning in the fall of 2013. 

St. Thomas Academy co-head coach Tom Vannelli says Schurhamer has developed into the best defenseman he’s coached and has the skills to continue to develop his hockey career.

“He’s about as solid a defenseman as you can get,” said Vannelli. “He has a great skating ability and he’s an energy guy. He can go. He’s well-conditioned. He’s just a modern-day defenseman.”

It may be no coincidence that Schurhamer models his game after Nicklas Lidstrom, the Detroit Red Wings star who many say is the epitome of the “modern-day” defensemen.

Schurhamer exhibits many of the same traits that Lidstrom is best known for: skating ability, offensive ability and smarts.

“He stands out because of his skating ability,” said Vannelli of Schurhamer. “Plus, he’s bigger and stronger than he looks. Four years with him was a blessing. He’s matured not only as a player but as a person.”

Schurhamer credits his coaches and teammates with helping him develop and says his time at St. Thomas Academy has been a valuable experience.

“I’ve been fortunate enough just to keep working hard and keep my spot, try to help with the team as much as possible,” he said. “We’ve had great leadership all four years, so I’ve had great role models the whole time I was coming up. I just try to focus every time I’m on the ice and keep working hard to make everyone around you better, too.”

The effort has paid off so far this year. As a defenseman, Schurhamer is among the team leaders in assists and total points. His sneaky-quick wrist shot and ability to see plays develop keeps him on the ice as one of the keys to the Cadet power-play attack. Those kinds of contributions are also what helped attract the attention of the University of Maine, who are frequent visitors to the NCAA Frozen Four and two-time national champions.

An avid outdoorsman, Schurhamer said he selected Maine because it reminded him a lot of Minnesota. He said the people also reminded him of St. Paul and helped seal the deal.

“The main reason was the community,” he said. “Everyone wants you to succeed out there. It’s just great, You get a great vibe from everyone.”

Call it "Maine Black Bear Nice."

But before Schurhamer can embark on his post-high school career, there is some unfinished business to complete with the Cadets. Schurhamer said he would like nothing more than to end his St. Thomas Academy career with a second consecutive state championship.

“I like our chances,” he said. “I like our team. I think we’re really going to surprise some people.”