Kornacki: Senior Nieves Artistic with Hockey Sticks, Drumsticks

March 11, 2016

Nieves photo
Cristoval 'Boo' Nieves

By Steve Kornacki

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Cristoval 'Boo' Nieves is accomplished with both drumsticks and hockey sticks in his hands.

Nieves, a center on Michigan's ice hockey team, is one of the top faceoff men in the Big Ten Conference and last month became the 83rd Wolverine to accumulate 100 points in his career.

The senior music major is self-taught on the drums and learned how to play the piano in a class at Michigan. He also plays the guitar, and is on schedule to graduate this spring or summer in the College of Literature, Science and the Arts.

Nieves was a second-round draft pick by the New York Rangers in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft and stays in regular contact with the Rangers. He plans to pursue professional hockey but knows what he wants to do whenever his playing days are over.

"My dream after hockey would be to become a studio drummer for bands or just show up for a track with an artist and perform in the studio," said Nieves, who favors classic rock 'n' roll bands such as "Boston" and "The Who."

VIDEO: Boo Nieves reflects on "a dream come true" playing for Michigan. https://t.co/lNopRw48as #GoBlue

-- Michigan Hockey (@umichhockey) March 10, 2016

With assist on the play, that's 100 career points for Boo Nieves! (MICH 4, WISC 3; 3rd) #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/bG9Q2nqVbk

-- Michigan Hockey (@umichhockey) February 14, 2016

Nieves began as a kinesiology major but found he lost interest in that area of study.

"So, I turned to music because it's something that comes natural to me," said Nieves, adding that his mother, Joanne, constantly plays songs on the radio and that his father, Rafael, was a deejay at clubs. "Growing up, music was a huge part of my life from my mom and dad.

"I convinced my parents to get me a drum set when I was 13 or 14, and I played every day, four or five hours some days. I got an acoustic guitar, which they appreciated more. Drum practice can cause headaches, but they are still my best instrument."

Keith Moon, the late drummer for "The Who," inspired Nieves with the passion and controlled chaos he displayed in concerts.

"Keith Moon is my favorite drummer for sure," said Nieves. "He just had so much energy and was so unique in his own style. He was awesome. He was great. I just wish he was still drumming."

"I started learning piano here last year at Michigan. It was a required class in learning a new instrument, and it was terrifying. In a normal class, you can just blend in. But there were only eight or nine in this entire class, and each day the instructor would listen to us on headphones and then pick one of us to play at the end of class. Everybody else already was good at the piano, and I was a beginner."

Nieves credited his instructor, Nick Susi, with the progress he made. Still, playing the piano was a grind until Nieves realized something.

"I would have to play about once a week and just dread it," said Nieves. "It's easier to play hockey in front of 6,000 people at Yost (Ice Arena) than it is to play in front of eight people on the piano. It was very nerve-wracking, and each day I'd just pray he didn't call me to play. And when he did, I did okay. I started to figure it out and not worry about what everyone else thought. He really helped me out a lot in the class."

Drums remain his go-to instrument, though.

What brand of drumsticks does he favor?

"I use Zildjian sticks and cymbals," said Nieves.

What brand of hockey stick does he use?

"I'm a Bauer guy," Nieves said. "I got my first stick, a heavy wooden one, when I was four years old. My great uncle used to play, and it was a hand-me-down.

"I started roller blading before anything. I was really good at about three years old and was whipping around with no helmet or anything. My mom was freaking out."

Nieves chuckled at the memory while leaning back in a leather chair at Yost after practice. His parents nicknamed him "Bugaboo," and it was later shortened to simply "Boo." He said that now only his parents and teachers call him Cristoval, and he's always "Boo" at the rink.

He'll play his final home games Friday and Saturday nights (March 11-12) against Penn State in contests with big ramifications atop the Big Ten standings.

Nieves has six goals and 20 assists to rank sixth on the team in scoring with 26 points. The left-handed shooter is an able playmaker on Michigan's second line along with his scrappy wings, Dexter Dancs and Alex Kile.

The Wolverines have the nation's top goal-scorer in Tyler Motte, with 29, and Kyle Connor is third with 26. However, the most dramatic goal of the season belongs to Nieves, who put on quite a show in the Dec. 11 game with Minnesota at Yost.

Nieves got the puck from Justin Selman and began a rush at his own blue line. He picked up quite a head of steam before faking out Golden Gophers center Tommy Novak with a slick inside move followed by a quick outside move as he approached goalie Eric Schierhorn. That got Nieves free as he cruised in from the left and fended off defenseman Nick Seeler.

Nieves hesitated for just an instant to get Schierhorn to commit and go down to the ice. Then Nieves flicked the puck up to the short side for a top shelf goal that sent the Yost faithful into a complete frenzy. It was ESPN's No. 1 play of the day.

"It was one of those plays where you just take over," said Nieves, "and do it without even thinking about it. It happened so fast, and the next thing I knew I was in front of the net. I knew if I tried to pass that puck, Coach (Red Berenson) would've killed me. So, I had to make sure I scored.

Here's a full look at Boo Nieves goal from 2nd period that's #SCTop10 worthy. Thoughts @Buccigross? https://t.co/SBjfPa02oi #GoBlue

-- Michigan Hockey (@umichhockey) December 12, 2015

"It was a broken play that went from nothing to something, and it was a good goal for our team. It lifted our spirits and helped us win the game."

Later that night, his roommate, Paxton Moore, a former Michigan lacrosse player, alerted him to the attention the goal was getting.

"Paxton was yelling and banging on my wall," said Nieves. "He said, 'Turn on ESPN!' I turned it on, and it was on the top plays."

Nieves also scored a significant, game-tying goal in a win over Penn State at New York's Madison Square Garden on Jan. 30 and ranks third on the team in assists. But it's in the faceoff circle where Nieves truly sets himself apart.

Rangers draft pick Boo Nieves scores in MSG to tie it 3-3 https://t.co/624YAlabOu

-- John Buccigross (@Buccigross) January 31, 2016

He leads the Wolverines and ranks third in the Big Ten with success on 60 percent of the faceoffs taken. Nieves has won 331 times and lost 220 this season.

"There's definitely a lot that goes into it," said Nieves. "One thing Coach (Berenson) harps on is making sure you're looking at the other guy. Sometimes you can get too focused on watching the ref's hand and just trying to win it on your own. But he always says, 'You don't have to win it. You just have to make sure the other center doesn't win it clean.'

"I practice a lot after our practices, and I've learned that you just have to see what the other guy's trying to do. You are more or less beating him rather than beating him to the ref dropping the puck."

Nieves is 6-3 and 200 pounds and uses his ability to get low and stay strong for outstanding reach.

"That helps a lot," he said. "One thing I've really focused on this year is using my lower body strength and getting lower to the ice. I try to beat the guy there, and if I do time up, I can definitely beat him with my reach."

Saturday will be Senior Night for Nieves, Selman and goalie Steve Racine. Their families will be on hand, and it will be an emotional time.

"It's crazy" said Nieves. "I'm getting chills just thinking about it. It's bittersweet. We've been here long enough to finally move on. But at the same time, it's sad to have our last game at Yost. It's finally here, but we're ready to play and take whatever emotions come at us. Hopefully, we can get a win in our last game at Yost."

And at some point this weekend, if Nieves scores a goal, wouldn't it be fitting if a drummer in the pep band played a solo just for him? Something from "The Who," say "Baba O'Riley," that's Boo's favorite.

You couldn't beat that with a drumstick.