Skating full circle: DU-bound Kieran Cebrian was a Jr. Pioneer
Kieran Cebrian began playing hockey at age 4 where it was most convenient. From his family home in Wash Park he could walk to the University of Denver. So he became a Jr. Pioneer. Thirteen years later, Cebrian has committed to play for the eight-time NCAA-champion Pioneers and is tentatively scheduled to begin his freshman year at DU in 2022 after playing two years of junior hockey. His whereabouts next season will likely be determined in Tuesday’s United States (junior-A) Hockey League draft.
“It’s cool, like a full-circle,” Cebrian, a junior at Kent Denver High in Cherry Hills, said of
going from a Pioneer mite to a blue-chip Pioneer college recruit. “It’s awesome. I’m thankful and excited.”
The 6-foot-1, 183-pound Cebrian is coming off a monster, coronavirus-shortened season with the triple-A Colorado Thunderbirds’ 16-under team, producing 33 goals and 94 points in 62 games. He was a two-year member of the prestigious 16U team that plays nationally in the Tier I Elite League. Cebrian served as team captain in his second year with the 16Us under new coach David Clarkson. He was a rare 15-year-old at that level in 201819 under coach Angelo Ricci.
Cebrian has been with the Thunderbirds since he was 11. He also played for the Krivo School of Hockey before switching to Arapahoe for squirt-A (10-under) on a team coached by former Avalanche star Milan Hejduk, who had two sons, Marek and David, on the team.
Cebrian is the son of Carlos and Glenda Cebrian, who met in Regina, Saskatchewan. Carlos, whose parents are from Spain, grew up in Saskatchewan’s Swift Current before meeting Glenda in Regina.
Kieran feels fortunate to have parents willing to support his hockey dreams and send him to a private school. He is also proud to choose a college so close to his family home. So, unlike much of what triple-A is — a ton of travel — Carlos and Glenda will conveniently watch their Kieran’s home games in college.
“My parents have to work hard but they have supported me my whole life, which I’m lucky for,” he said.
Carlos Cebrian played prep hockey in Saskatchewan. He’s impressed by how his son developed such a deep passion for the game.
“I think it speaks to the hard work he’s put it,” Carlos said. “He’s had some injuries and fought adversity, playing on some bad teams, but he had a love and passion for hockey that kept driving him forward.”
Cebrian, who turned 17 on March 31, finished tied for third in Tier I Elite Hockey League 16U scoring last season with 34 points (13 goals) in 24 showcase games.
“I had really good linemates throughout the year,” Cebrian said. “The lines changed a lot but whoever I was playing with we always worked well together.”
His strength, he and Clarkson believe, is the ability to play a complete game.
“I think I’m a good 200-foot player. I can produce offensively but also I’m responsible defensively,” Cebrian said. “I play in all situations. I play the penalty kill, on the power play — I think I can be used anywhere on the ice.”
He’s a versatile Pioneer.
“My parents have to
work hard but they
have supported me
my whole life, which
I’m lucky for.” Kieran Cebrian, who has committed to DU