Tim Benz: Logan Cooley's NCAA success a highlight for Pittsburgh's youth hockey development

To this point, it’s tough to envision a scenario in which Logan Cooley’s debut season in NCAA hockey could’ve gone any better.

As the No. 3 overall pick (Arizona Coyotes) in last summer’s NHL Draft, much was expected of the West Mifflin product — and he has delivered. The 18-year-old Pens Elite alum is one of three finalists for the Hobey Baker Award, given annually to college hockey’s best player. He has the second-most points (57) in the country, and his Minnesota Golden Gophers will be participating in next weekend’s Frozen Four in Tampa, Fla.

“Coming into Minnesota, I had a lot of high expectations for myself,” Cooley said during Thursday’s “Breakfast With Benz” podcast. “We have such a special group here. The coaching staff is unbelievable. The resources we have are second to none. I’m playing with two really good linemates (Jimmy Snuggerud and Matthew Knies). We’ve had a lot of success. It’s going well. But we still have business to take care of, and we are looking forward to getting to Tampa.”

Cooley’s accolades represent something significant for the growth of youth hockey in Pittsburgh. Born in 2004, Cooley also went through the first year of the Little Penguins Learn to Play program in 2008, which was established by Penguins captain Sidney Crosby.

Western Pa. youth hockey pioneers such as Ryan Malone (born in 1979) and R.J. Umberger (born in 1982) were kids who grew up in the Mario Lemieux era. The likes of Brandon Saad and the wave of talent from this area that teamed up on the 2013 World Junior Championship gold medal-winning squad (Riley Barber, Vince Trocheck, John Gibson and J.T. Miller) were all born after the Lemieux-era Penguins won their second Stanley Cup. They were all 12 to 14 years old by the time Crosby’s rookie season began.

Cooley is truly a child of the Crosby years in Pittsburgh — and evidence that the boom in grassroots hockey that exploded when No. 66 came to town is now a generational thing that No. 87 has extended.

And — even though he grew up a Washington Capitals fan — that importance isn’t lost on Cooley.

“The Pittsburgh Penguins have done such an amazing job of producing players to the next level. Whether that’s through the OHL, the NHL, and obviously college hockey,” Cooley said. “Just doing (the Little Penguins program) when you are a young kid, it’s the most fun time. Because once you get to this point, it becomes a business, and you have to make big decisions. It definitely meant a lot, definitely a memory I’ll have forever.”

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A native of Massachusetts, Pens coach Mike Sullivan grew up in a traditional hockey market during the 1970s and ’80s. On Thursday, he spoke about the symbiotic relationship between a region’s NHL team and growth of the sport on a youth level.

“Whether they play in high school or college or the pros — or whether they just have a great hockey experience — these kids will be lifelong hockey fans,” Sullivan said. “These are the guys that end up in the men’s leagues at 11 o’clock at night. For me, that is every bit as important to celebrate. But, certainly, to have an elite player like Logan Cooley emerge through the grassroots initiative in Pittsburgh, I just think (that) speaks volumes for how far that grassroots initiative has grown and developed.”

A Notre Dame hockey alum, Penguins winger Bryan Rust has seen Cooley play in Big Ten competition with Minnesota and praised his game. Rust smiled when considering the impact that the 2016-17 Stanley Cup teams may have had on a generation of players Cooley’s age.

“Seeing how much hockey has grown and knowing that I can be just a little part of that, it’s cool,” Rust said. “Guys like Logan Cooley, who has been unbelievable. Kids are going to the U.S. National Development Team now. Top-ranked youth programs. You can’t help but think that the Penguins and their success — the guys in this room — have had a decent hand in that.”

Crosby said the goal of the Little Penguins program wasn’t to become a hockey factory or churn out on-ice proteges. Rather it was to create a program that, in part, would help outfit kids with equipment and provide access for youngsters who may not have the economic means for an introduction to the sport.

Admittedly, in Cooley’s case, hockey was always something he was going to pick up. His uncles (Tom and John Mooney) both played college hockey. His older brother Eric played at Niagara University and Ohio State. His other brother Riley also played with Pens Elite and with the New Mexico Ice Wolves.

But Cooley’s ascent is certainly proof of the good that the program can do.

“It’s a bonus. It’s really just about kids getting introduced to the game. It’s a small percentage that end up making it. But if they can enjoy the game and get something out of it, that’s great. In his case, he has gone on to do pretty well. I’m definitely happy to see that,” Crosby said.

Cooley said he has yet to make his decision about turning pro and when he’ll join the Coyotes franchise. But whenever he does make his NHL debut, Cooley may do so with the Hobey Baker under his belt and a national championship ring on his finger. Plus, he’s on course to be the highest-drafted native Pittsburgher to ever play in an NHL game.

And maybe the guy who brings the development of hockey in the region into the next generation.

In a “Breakfast With Benz” podcast, Logan Cooley joins Tim Benz in advance of his trip to the Frozen Four with the Minnesota Golden Gophers. He talks about his successful first year in college hockey, his plans for the future with the Arizona Coyotes, and how the Pittsburgh junior ranks prepared him for the NCAA.

Listen: Tim Benz and Logan Cooley talk hockey