What started out as a joke has now taken on a sort of truth for junior defenseman Daniel Vukovic.
When Vukovic scored his first goal of the season to lift MSU in a come-from-behind victory over Miami (Ohio) on Jan. 6, it came as a shock to fans, media and even his teammates. This was the same Vukovic who had registered one goal in his 2 1/2 years as a Spartan.
After earning the CCHA Defensive Player of the Week award for that performance a few people started calling him John-Michael Vukovic, a reference to the gifted former Spartan and current Colorado Avalanche blueliner John-Michael Liles.
Since that weekend, Vukovic has notched an additional five goals. And since that weekend, his nickname has taken on meaning.
"Obviously, all the guys heard that one, and they can't live it down," Vukovic said. "They're just giving it to me every time anything happens. I'll take it. I'm definitely not in the same ranks (of Liles), not even close, but it's an honor."
The nickname is more significant than one can imagine. Vukovic has come a long way since his freshman year, in which he logged scarce minutes and felt a bit out of place in the college game.
Because he was one of the better players on his junior team, the St. Michael's Buzzers, a Junior A team, Vukovic's slow start puzzled him.
But then again, he still had a lot to learn. His fellow teammates, specifically former MSU defenseman Jared Nightingale, were there to teach him.
"The older guys can really make a difference on the younger guys' career," Vukovic said. "It really makes a difference when you come in and they're willing to help you and willing to teach you.
"In the defensive aspect and even the mental aspect, that was a huge part that Jared helped me with."
Vukovic digested everything the older players told him. But another significant portion of his daily hockey schooling was simply watching other defensemen during practice and in games.
"(Former MSU defenseman) Corey Potter, I really liked watching," Vukovic said. "His style of play, I was really impressed with — just how he could play defensive and play physical. But also, he was so poised with the puck and (brought) it up and do the little things right."
Vukovic also is doing the little things to get better. With a team-leading plus-16 rating, he has been one of the more reliable Spartans defensemen. He has earned the trust and praise of coaches and players through his dedication and commitment to becoming a better player.
"He's one of those guys that's going to give everything he can, and he does it every day in practice," senior defenseman Tyler Howells said. "He's one of the first guys to get on the ice and one of the last to leave."
With all the work Vukovic puts into improving his game, it may seem like he's trying to prove something.
He wouldn't deny that claim.
"This year, I came in and I had an attitude that I really wanted to be a player," Vukovic said. "I really wanted to be the player that the coaching staff and other people thought I could be when I was coming in here."
