Varsity - The Official Digital Magazine of Wisconsin Athletics

Varsity - February 20, 2014

Varsity is the free Official Digital Magazine of Wisconsin Athletics, covering Badgers football, basketball, hockey and more each week.

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33 "I never expected to be drafted, so it was not like I had it out for anybody when I wasn't," said Zengerle, who will turn 25 in May. "I started developing more between 19 and 20 years old. "When you go undrafted you do have something to prove. But either way, if you're drafted or not, you have to get better, play well and get noticed some- how. That's how I've always played." There are many drafted players who do little with their skills. Zengerle has gotten the most out of his ― what Eaves labeled as "of- fensive skills that you don't teach" when Zengerle was a freshman. After Zengerle had start- ed his career with points in his first six games, Eaves said, "He loves to play. He's not the smoothest look- ing guy. He's a little awkward in his skating. But he's effective." Eaves noted that Zengerle's two older brothers, John-Paul and Matt, were wrestlers and "Mark has kind of that wrestler's mentality and it serves him well. When he gets the puck, he wants to keep it." John-Paul, the oldest brother, was a state cham- pion, Zengerle said. While he wrestled in a few sum- mer tournaments when he was in his early teens, his parents wanted him to stick with hockey. It's something they can reminisce about this weekend. Paul and Carol Zengerle will be at the Kohl Center to watch their son in his final home series. He grew up with a rink in his backyard and great family support. Family will also be something that Zengerle will forever associate with this large senior class. "Our group is so close. If you ask any of them, we're all best friends," said Zengerle, who will be five credits shy of his degree at the end of the semester; a degree he promises that he will definitely get. "I know how everyone in our class talks; we wish it was never going to come to an end, we could stay here forever. But it's part of life and you have to move on. "We have said it before: our goal is to be in the Frozen Four in Philly and ultimately win it, and we think we have the opportunity to do that. We think we have the right guys for the job." The seniors will be counted on to do a lot of the heavy lifting, which is fine with Zengerle. "We do everything together," he said. "We live to- gether, we eat together, we go to class together, we go to the rink together, and we're with each other all day. "It's going to be sad when we leave, but if we leave as champions, it will be a lot easier." "WE HAVE SAID IT BEFORE: OUR GOAL IS TO BE IN THE FROZEN FOUR IN PHILLY AND ULTIMATELY WIN IT, AND WE THINK WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT." ZENGERLE SAID. "WE THINK WE HAVE THE RIGHT GUYS FOR THE JOB." DAVID STLUKA

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