After winning the national championship with the DU Pioneers, the Austrian-born Emil Romig enters into his first season of professional hockey with the defending Kelly Cup champion Colorado Eagles as he looks to climb the ladder of development into a full-time spot on an NHL team.
“It was awesome to be able to stay in Colorado, and the Eagles are one of the best — if not the best — in the Mountain division. I just love it here; after spending those four years of college in Denver, and being able to cap it off with a national championship, and just to be able to stay here was amazing,” Romig said.
After spending those four seasons with the Pioneers, and being able to spend some valuable time with the Eagles in the ECHL, the news of the Eagles making the move to the American Hockey League next season is no secret by now.
“It is awesome, right? The organization is top-notch, so to keep moving forward and getting promoted to the AHL is obviously great for the organization,” Romig said.
As with any in-state rivalry, there are always particular moments that will stand out. However, last season, Romig was able to experience the ‘Battle on Blake Street’ outdoor game at Coors Field for the Pioneers against Colorado College.
“It was a dream come true. You grow up watching the Winter Classic in the NHL, so it was a dream come true being able to do something like that,” Romig said. “Beating them is always awesome, right? It is a great rivalry, so I really enjoyed it during my four years [at DU], it was awesome.”
Since joining the Eagles, the Pioneers alum has quickly proven himself to be a contributor on an Eagles team that’s seeking to capture a consecutive Kelly Cup championship before officially becoming a team in the American Hockey League next season.