(Photo: Riley Trujillo/WCSN)
When goaltender Joey Daccord first announced his commitment to playing at Arizona State University in January of 2015, he knew the decision would be faced with skepticism. After all, Daccord would be defending cage for a team that had never even faced an NCAA team before.
I am very proud to announce my commitment to play hockey at Arizona State University! Thank you to all those who have helped me #GoSunDevils
— Joey Daccord (@JDac35) January 25, 2015
A little over three years later, Daccord finds himself tied for the NCAA lead in wins (19), shutouts (seven) and saves (882). No one is doubting his college choice anymore.
“Most of the people kind of looked at me funny,” Daccord said in early January. “On second thought, everyone was like, ‘Wow, you might be the smartest college hockey player in New England.’”
With Daccord in net, the Sun Devils have seen their win total this season (19) surpass the total number of wins the team had in its two previous years combined (18).
And each campaign, Daccord has seen a considerable rise in his save percentage. What started as a .892 save percentage in his freshman year rose to a .909 percentage last season. And during his impressive 30 games this year, Daccord has stopped more than 93 percent of the shots he’s faced.
“Some people kind of questioned that decision (to go to ASU),” Daccord said. “But now, it’s kind of hard to question it.”
The junior has built his resume against top tier opponents, as well, including a 40-save performance in a 4-3 overtime victory against then No. 6 Penn State, and a 45-save shutout against Princeton. Even in losses, Daccord has been phenomenal. Against then No. 1 Ohio State, Daccord recorded a pair of 32 save outings despite losing both contests.
His emergence into being a star goaltender has been a long time coming, but ASU coach Greg Powers has stuck by his comments that all Daccord needed to do was build his own confidence to reach the point he is today.
“With [Daccord], it’s all in between the ears,” Powers said. “He came here with every bit as much talent as he has now. He’s always had that fundamental base because of the training back home with his dad.”
Daccord has had a plethora of support around him. His father, Brian Daccord, was a goaltender at Merrimack College in 1985, and also spent a total of seven years playing hockey in Switzerland. He currently works with the Toronto Maple Leafs as a goaltending consultant.
At Arizona State, Daccord gets goaltending assistance from volunteer coach Andrew Matheson, who also played the position of goaltender. He can rely on Powers too, a former goalie himself ASU’s club team from 1995-1999.
“It’s been huge,” Daccord said. “[Matheson’s] been huge in my development. And all the coaching staff have been crucial parts of my development. I definitely couldn’t have done it without them.”
With support has come maturity and a refined style of play from Daccord, who has learned to make the most of his athletic 6-foot-3 frame. All of it has cemented Daccord as an “elite” goaltender in Powers’ eyes.
It’s not a stretch, either. One quick glance over goaltending stats this season paints a pretty compelling argument for Daccord to be included among the top netminders in the country. His nomination for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award earlier in the year was well-earned.
“To even be in the mix for such a prestigious and coveted award is really an honor,” he said.
Daccord has been a pillar of strength for the Sun Devils since its first season playing a full NCAA schedule three years ago. This season has been the culmination of some early ups and down. Yet, with the regular season winding to a close in the next several weeks, one monumental question looms in the air.
Will he return next season?
It’s a subject that carries a lot weight. Daccord could come back for his senior season if he wants. But he also has the option to turn pro too. After he committed to the Sun Devils four years ago, he was chosen by the Ottawa Senators in the seventh round of the 2015 NHL draft. His play this season has no doubt caught the Senators’ attention. Yet, at the same time, the Sun Devils are seemingly cementing themselves as a potential contender at the Division-I level.
Whatever thoughts have been floating through Daccord’s head about his upcoming decision are not ready to be shared, however.
Daccord put it frankly, saying, “I don’t know if I want to talk about my legacy, just yet.”
It’s hard to blame him for not wanting to answer. After all, this season is not over just yet. And regardless of where his mind is at now, potentially getting a first taste of collegiate post-season hockey could change his mind. He’s played well enough to help the Sun Devils get there.
