Shutouts in college hockey are about as common as snow in Tucson.

That alone makes freshman Beau LeMire's first two weeks as the Icecats' starting goaltender all the more impressive. He has two shutouts - one against Stanford, the other against Colorado.

Not bad for a guy who seven months ago didn't even know Arizona had a hockey team.

"I can't wait, even though the season has just started," the 18-year-old said. "I'm so happy to be here."

LeMire and Icecat head coach Leo Golembiewski met at a Chicago Blackhawks' Alumni luncheon. LeMire attended the luncheon as one of the members of the Illinois' All-State team.

"Everything he said was perfect," LeMire said. "I was really confused at that point, but as soon as we started talking, it all became clear."

The coincidental meeting seemed to happen at the right time for both of them.

"We hit it off right away," Golembiewski said. "I was looking to upgrade our goaltending because I hadn't been happy with our goaltending."

The reason Golembiewski and LeMire connected so quickly is simple - they both enjoy being in the net. Golembiewski spent time in the St. Louis Blues' organization as a goalie and takes to the nets in the Icecats' annual charity game with the Blackhawk alu mni.

"This is the first time in his life he's had a coach that's an ex-goaltender," Golembiewski said. "I've been his mentor."

LeMire said it's important to him that Golembiewski understands his position, since being a goalie is so different from any other in hockey.

"He understands the little things from a goalie's point of view, and makes the right adjustments," LeMire said. "I don't have to worry about being forgotten. I can talk to him and respect him."

Since LeMire's addition to the team, Golembiewski has had no regrets.

"I'm pleased that he was brought into the program," he said. "It's an important position and you can't win without it."

LeMire has proved, despite his youth and inexperience, that he can block shots.

"It's still too early to tell how he has influenced the team," Golembiewski said. "He works hard in practice, is consistent in the net and has a good attitude in the net."

A native of Wilmette, Ill., LeMire said since he's been at the UA, things have fallen into place. With four games under his belt, LeMire has gone from feeling nervous to excited about the remainder of the schedule.

"I think I've adapted well," he said. "I've gotten so pumped for the games. I was nervous at first, but now I'm so focused that I shut everything else out."

Shutting the fans out in the TCC isn't an easy thing to do and LeMire said the mental aspect of being a goalie is the toughest thing to get used to.

"You must completely block everything out," LeMire said. "You can't let anything else get in your head besides the puck. Your eyes constantly have to be watching."

So far, focusing on the puck has been fairly easy for LeMire. Only four games into the season, LeMire has faced 55 shots on goal, allowing only two to get by him in 240 minutes of play.

The defense has also added to LeMire's performance. For LeMire, proving his confidence and ability to his team has been the most important thing to him.

LeMire said that if his teammates aren't confident in his play, they will start to perform differently.

"I want the guys to know that I'm ready to do the job and I want the guys to get more confidence in me," he said. "I want to keep playing like I have been and hopefully the fans and players will trust me."

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