Who's the Boss?

Katherine K. Gardiner Arizona Daily Wildcat Icecat senior defensman Joel Nusbaum has shaken his label as a "quiet" player and has become a force on the ice for Arizona. He and the rest of the Icecats will be in Boulder, Colo. this weekend for a two-game set with Colorado.

For Arizona Icecat Joel Nusbaum, though, the best thing about playing at the UA has been spending time with friends he has made through the years.

"This is something I'll never forget," the senior defenseman said. "It's helped me grow up a lot and I've met new friends that I'll never forget. It's helped me grow up as a hockey player."

The Depere, Wisc. native remembers that his parents had him playing hockey at the age of four. He's been playing ever since.

"Since I started so young, I never really played much forward," Nusbaum said. "I've always played defense."

In fact, Nusbaum was playing defense at a tournament in Chicago when he was introduced to the Icecats. Head coach Leo Golembiewski then made a trip to Wisconsin and met Nusbaum.

"I didn't want to play juniors," Nusbaum said. "I wanted to get on with my education and play hockey at the same time. This was the perfect situation for me."

With that, Nusbaum enrolled at the UA in the fall of 1993 and has been in an Icecat uniform ever since. As a young player, Nusbaum remembers being quiet.

"The first couple of years I was quiet and just did what I was told," the business major said.

But now, co-captain Peter Scott and his teammates refer to Nusbaum as "The Boss."

"He used to be real quiet," Scott said. "He's more vocal now. I'm not sure why we call him 'The Boss', it's just a nickname that stuck."

The 22-year-old may be a boss in the defensive zone, but he has broadened his role as the season has progressed.

"With such a young team it has forced all of the seniors to put this team together," Nusbaum said. "I've turned into more of an outspoken leader as my senior year has gone by."

Scott agrees.

"He doesn't talk much, " he said. "When he does, people listen because you know it's got to be pretty important."

Golembiewski said Nusbaum's improvement has been crucial to the success of the No. 3 Icecats who currently sport a 20-2-1 record..

"He's been forced to take a leadership role," Golembiewski said. "This year he has focused and that is needed in order to have a successful hockey team."

With the National Tournament right around the corner, Nusbaum's role as a leader will be tested.

"He's developed this year as a player. He's one you want to lead the team into post-season play."

Hard-core is more like it, Scott said.

"He's so good," Scott said. "He's the kind of defenseman that no one ever notices because he doesn't score, but he'll be in there for a good thirty minutes playing defense."

Not being noticed, however, has never bothered Nusbaum.

"It doesn't bother me at all," Nusbaum said. "I know when I've played a good game and people that watch hockey really know. The forwards do a good job with what they're doing and I try and do my job on defense.

"After 18 years of playing hockey, I'm used to not getting the glory."

There is only one legacy that he does want to be known for.

"Not backing down from anything," Nusbaum said. "Not taking any shit."

Nusbaum said he owes much of who he has become to Golembiewski.

"He helps you find out who you are," Nusbaum said. "He's really shown me who I can be and who I can become."