Denver Pioneers men's ice hockey
Denver Pioneers men's ice hockey | |
---|---|
![]() | |
![]() | |
University | University of Denver |
Conference | NCHC |
First season | 1949–50 |
Head coach | David Carle 7th season, 148–62–16 (.690) |
Assistant coaches |
|
Arena | Magness Arena Denver, Colorado |
Colors | Crimson and gold[1] |
NCAA Tournament championships | |
1958, 1960, 1961, 1968, 1969, 2004, 2005, 2017, 2022, 2024 | |
NCAA Tournament Runner-up | |
1963, 1964, 1973 | |
NCAA Tournament Frozen Four | |
1958, 1960, 1961, 1963, 1964, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1986, 2004, 2005, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2022, 2024 | |
NCAA Tournament appearances | |
1958, 1960, 1961, 1963, 1964, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1986, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024 | |
Conference Tournament championships | |
1960, 1961, 1963, 1964, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1986, 1999, 2002, 2005, 2008, 2014, 2018, 2024 | |
Conference regular season championships | |
1957–58, 1959–60, 1960–61, 1962–63, 1963–64, 1967–68, 1971–72, 1972–73, 1977–78, 1985–86, 2001–02, 2004–05, 2009–10, 2016–17, 2021-22, 2022-23 | |
Current uniform | |
![]() |
The Denver Pioneers men's ice hockey team is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I college ice hockey program that represents the University of Denver. They play at Magness Arena in Denver, Colorado. The Pioneers are a member of the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC). Previously, they were members of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA), from its creation in 1959 to the end of its men's hockey competition in 2013.
The Pioneers have won the most all-time
About 75 Pioneers have gone on to play in the National Hockey League, including Keith Magnuson, Kevin Dineen, Matt Carle (2006 Hobey Baker Award winner), Paul Stastny and Will Butcher (2017 Hobey Baker Award winner).
History
Source:[3]
Early years
In 1949 the DU Arena, a former WWII surplus drill hall from Idaho was reassembled in Denver with an ice plant, giving the university the ability to properly field an ice hockey team for the first time. Before the end of the year Vern Turner, the rink manager for the Broadmoor Ice Palace and a former semi-professional goaltender was hired as the team's first coach and the Pioneers hit the ice for their first game in December, losing to the University of Saskatchewan, 17–0. Denver would, unsurprisingly, lose its first 9 games before recording the first victory against Wyoming on January 27. The following season saw much improvement with the team as it finished with an 11–11–1 record and when Turner stepped down after the year it gave Neil Celley the opportunity to build the program. When Celley assumed the reins he was the youngest head coach in the history of college ice hockey at 24[3] and had won a national title with Michigan the year before, as a player.[4] The team responded to Celley by raising their record to 18–6–1 and finishing tied for second in the inaugural MCHL standings. Unfortunately, Celley's old team was selected ahead of Denver for the NCAA tournament due to a better overall record. The Pioneers would continue to play well under Celley but their winning percentage dropped every year until 1956 when they finished just a hair above .500. Celley resigned after that season and turned the team over to ex-NHLer Murray Armstrong.
Armstrong era
Armstrong came to DU and guaranteed an NCAA title within three years, and did it in his second year. Using Armstrong's coaching pipeline to ex-junior players in Canada, it took a year to get going, but by
Early 60s
Denver kicked off its first season in the WCHA by winning the regular season title and being WCHA tournament co-champions along with
After such unparalleled dominance, it was expected that Denver would decline the following year, especially with so many of the players graduating, but the team still finished 3rd in the WCHA. One year later they won both WCHA conference titles and again made the NCAA tournament. After dropping Clarkson in a relatively easy 6–2 semifinal match Denver faced off against North Dakota for a rematch of it first title in 1958. The Fighting Sioux scored three times before 8 minutes had elapsed and, while Denver responded with two quick goals, North Dakota tacked on two more in the first to finish with a 5–2 lead. When they added another 5 minutes into the second it looked as if they were going to walk to a national title but the Pioneers did npt quit and scored twice to cut the lead in half entering the third. North Dakota closed ranks and set up a wall in front of Rudy Unis in the final frame but still could not stop Denver from scoring, however, the Pioneers could only notch one goal and lost their first NCAA tournament game, 5–6.[13] The team's streak of seven consecutive tournament wins from the start is still an NCAA record.
Denver followed up that disappointment with a second-place finish despite playing only 10 games and a WCHA tournament championship over Michigan. In the NCAA tournament DU produced a very similar result to the year before by dropping their semifinal opponent easily, then allowing the team they defeated in the WCHA championship to score the first three goals. This time it was the Wolverines who would take the title and send the Pioneers home disappointed.
Late 60s
While many programs may have been happy with the results Denver achieved in '66 and '67 the Pioneers were decidedly nonplussed. When the team began 1968 season slowly, losing three out of their first five games, they were taken to task and responded by winning every remaining game except for a stretch in late December when they played four Olympic squads. Denver finished the season atop the WCHA and with the regional restrictions abolished they were able to take full advantage of their top seed and demolish their competition 27–7 in the three games. In the NCAA tournament Denver faced Boston College for the first time[16] and swatted the Eagles away with a 4–1 victory despite sloppy play. The final brought North Dakota and DU together for a rubber match and the two teams fought a tough defensive battle through two periods before the floodgates opened and Denver scored four times in the final frame while Gerry Powers earned the first shutout in a championship game.[3] The next season was much the same; after a slow start the Pioneers ran through most of their competition, finishing second in the WCHA and taking down much weaker opponents in the conference tournament to return to the NCAA playoff. For this 1969 championship they beat Harvard 9–2 in the opening match before facing Ken Dryden-led Cornell. The Pioneers did not have any problems scoring against the seemingly impregnable Big Red defense, building leads three times while the final one stuck and Denver won its fifth NCAA national title, 4–3.
Dynasty's end
Despite losing many players from the dual national title teams due to graduations Denver did not lose much footing and finished second in the WCHA but lost to new entry
Throughout the 1960s, the matter of recruiting Canadian major junior players was becoming an issue again, and by the 1970s, Minnesota coach
Decline
Armstrong's assistant Marshall Johnston took over and the team jumped up in the standings as the nation's top-ranked team, winning the WCHA regular season crown and breaking the school record for wins with 33 (albeit in 40 games) but DU was stopped in the WCHA second round by an upstart Colorado College team, after finding out that Denver's appeal to be eligible for the 1978 NCAA tournament was denied by the NCAA. After declining to 6th place the following season. Denver ended 1979–80 dead last in the WCHA and missed the playoffs entirely. The team rebounded the next season but afterwards, Johnston returned to the NHL and the program was given to a third-straight former pro, Ralph Backstrom. Backstrom's entry coincided with four WCHA members bolting for the CCHA leaving the conference with only 6 schools. The co-championship format was abolished and though Denver provided some glimpse of hope in Backstrom's first season, the team slipped towards the bottom of the division for three seasons. By the end of the 1984–85 season Denver had lost eight consecutive playoff games and was in danger of becoming an afterthought in the WCHA. The 1985–86 team provided a surprising start the following campaign, winning seven of their first eight-game en route to the WCHA regular season and playoff championships over Michigan Tech, Minnesota-Duluth and Minnesota, followed by a home NCAA 7–6 total goal series win over Cornell to make it to the Frozen Four. Denver played a school record 48 games that year, and won 34 contests (also a DU record) despite losing in the NCAA semifinal, 5–2 to Harvard in Providence. The stark turnaround garnered Backstrom the Spencer Penrose Award. The highlights were short-lived, however and over the succeeding four years Denver returned to being a middling team in the WCHA.
Backstrom left in 1990 and was replaced by Frank Serratore. While he would later achieve a great deal of success with Air Force Serratore's time in Denver was the darkest period in the history of the program. In his first season, the Pioneers won only 6 games, losing a school record 30 of 38 matches. The following season brought only marginal improvements but when the team rose above .500 in 1992–93 it looked like Serratore's job may be saved, but after slipping back to 9th in the conference the year after he was out as coach and replaced by Wisconsin alumnus George Gwozdecky.
Gwozdecky era
When Denver hired Gwozdecky, they hoped they were getting the same coach that had won back-to-back
Back-to-back titles
DU was able to defeat Gwozdecky's previous team, Miami, in a close game before advancing to face North Dakota in the West Regional Final. The top team in the nation held Denver off the scoresheet and out shot the Pioneers 23–13 in the opening two periods but the Fighting Sioux could not get the puck past Adam Berkhoel. The two teams remained scoreless until just 2:29 remained in regulation when Luke Fulghum deflected a puck into the net and sent the Pioneers into the Frozen Four for the first time in 18 years.[20] Denver met Minnesota–Duluth in the semifinal and looked like were outmatched when the Bulldogs scored twice in the first five minutes of the game. Even when Denver cut the lead in half a second power play goal by 2004 Hobey Baker winner Junior Lessard followed soon thereafter. The Pioneers, however, were not deterred and came out firing in the third, tying the score in less than four minutes and adding another two goals before the period was half over. Duluth was so stunned by the comeback that they could only muster 6 shots in the period as Denver took the game to make their first national championship since their vacated appearance in 1973.[21] With Maine as the only obstacle left in their path, Denver put up in front of Adam Berkhoel and allowed only 24 shots to reach their goalie, including none during a 6-on-3 power play advantage in the last minute and a half of the game. Berkhoel earned the shutout, making the lone goal from Gabe Gauthier in the first as the winner.[22]
After winning their first title in 35 years Denver raised their game, tying Colorado College for the WCHA crown and producing the #2 offense in the country. In the WCHA tournament, however, it was their defense that led the way. With rookie goaltender Peter Mannino standing on his head for two shutouts, the Pioneers allowed only two goals in four games, winning three one-goal games to take the conference championship. DU earned the #2 overall seed and had to survive a scare from Bemidji State in their first game. After allowing 3 to the much weaker Beavers, Glenn Fisher was benched in favor of Mannino for the remaining three games and the Pioneers cruised to the championship game with 4–2 and 6–2 wins. In the Final Denver met North Dakota for the fourth time, matching the record for championship meetings with Michigan and Colorado College. The two teams exchanged goals in the first but future NHLer Paul Stastny put the Pioneers into the lead with a power play marker just after the midpoint. With their season on the line North Dakota began an onslaught on the DU net, firing 23 shots in the third but Mannino was equal to the take and kept everything out. The Pioneers scored twice in the third to put the game away and take their seventh national championship.[23]
Playoff disappointments
The next season brought Denver its first Hobey Baker winner in
New coach, new conference
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6d/Mason_Morelli_punching_through_to_go_for_the_puck.jpg/220px-Mason_Morelli_punching_through_to_go_for_the_puck.jpg)
Gwozdecky's firing coincided with the founding of the
9th National Championship
In 2022, following wins against
Season-by-season results
Source:[26]
Denver/Colorado College rivalry
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6e/DU_vs_CC.jpg/220px-DU_vs_CC.jpg)
Of all the rivals that the Denver Pioneer's hockey program play against the most intense rivalry is that from Colorado College. Since Denver's hockey program started in 1949 the two schools have played at least four times a season. In the 1993–94 season a gold pan trophy was added as a reward for the winning team thus the rivalry has been dubbed the Battle for the Gold Pan.[27]
Head coaches
David Carle is the current head coach of Denver hockey, hired in May 2018.
As of the end of the 2023–24 season[18]
Tenure | Coach | Years | Record | Pct. |
---|---|---|---|---|
1949–1951 | Vern Turner | 2 | 15–24–1 | .388 |
1951–1956 | Neil Celley | 6 | 81–43–6 | .646 |
1956–1977 | Murray Armstrong | 21 | 460–215–31 | .674 |
1977–1981 | Marshall Johnston | 4 | 89–63–7 | .582 |
1981–1990 | Ralph Backstrom | 9 | 182–174–14 | .511 |
1990–1994 | Frank Serratore | 4 | 49–92–9 | .357 |
1994–2013 | George Gwozdecky | 19 | 443–267–64 | .614 |
2013–2018 | Jim Montgomery | 5 | 125–57–26 | .663 |
2018–Present | David Carle | 6 | 148–62–16 | .690 |
Totals | 9 coaches | 75 seasons | 1,592–1016–174 | .604 |
Awards and honors
Hockey Hall of FameSource:[28]
|
United States Hockey Hall of FameSource:[29]
|
NCAA
Individual awards
|
|
|
|
|
|
All-Americans
- 1951–52: Eddie Miller, F
- 1957–58: Ed Zemrau, F
- 1959–60: Marty Howe, D; George Konik, F; Bill Masterton, F
- 1960–61: George Kirkwood, D; Marty Howe, D; Grant Munro, D; Jerry Walker, F; Bill Masterton, F
- 1962–63: Bill Staub, F
- 1964–65: Wayne Smith, D
- 1965–66: Wayne Smith, D
- 1966–67: Jim Wiste, F
- 1967–68: Keith Magnuson, D; Jim Wiste, F
- 1968–69: Keith Magnuson, D; George Morrison, F
- 1969–70: George Morrison, F
- 1970–71: Mike Christie, D; Vic Venasky, F
- 1971–72: Tom Peluso, F
- 1972–73: Ron Grahame, G; Rob Palmer, F
- 1977–78: Ernie Glanville, G; Doug Berry, F
- 1986–87: Dallas Gaume, F
- 2003–04: Ryan Caldwell, D
- 2004–05: Matt Carle, D
- 2005–06: Matt Carle, D
- 2009–10: Marc Cheverie, G; Patrick Wiercioch, D; Rhett Rakhshani, F
- 2013–14: Sam Brittain, G
- 2014–15: Joey LaLeggia, D
- 2016–17: Will Butcher, D; Henrik Borgström, F
- 2017–18: Henrik Borgström, F; Troy Terry, F
- 2019–20: Ian Mitchell, F
- 2021–22: Bobby Brink, F
- 2023–24: Zeev Buium, D; Jack Devine, F
AHCA Second Team All-Americans
- 1985–86: Chris Olson, G; Jim Smith, F; Dwight Mathiasen, F
- 1988–89: Daryn McBride, F
- 1989–90: Dave Shields, F
- 1998–99: Paul Comrie, F
- 2001–02: Wade Dubielewicz, G
- 2004–05: Brett Skinner, D
- 2005–06: Paul Stastny, F
- 2007–08: Chris Butler, D
- 2011–12: Jason Zucker, F
- 2012–13: Juho Olkinuora, G
- 2013–14: Joey LaLeggia, D
- 2014–15: Trevor Moore, F
- 2015–16: Will Butcher, D
- 2016–17: Tanner Jaillet, G
- 2017–18: Tanner Jaillet, G
- 2022–23: Michael Benning, D; Carter Mazur, F; Massimo Rizzo, F
- 2023–24: Massimo Rizzo, F
MCHL/WIHL/WCHA
Individual awards
|
|
|
|
Sophomore/Freshman/Rookie of the Year
|
|
All-Conference
- 1951–52: Don Burgess, D; Eddie Miller, D
- 1952–53: Eddie Miller, D
- 1957–58: Ed Zemrau, D
- 1959–60: George Kirkwood, G; Marty Howe, D; Bill Masterton, F
- 1960–61: George Kirkwood, G; Marty Howe, D; George Konik, D; Bill Masterton, F; Jerry Walker, F
- 1961–62: Jack Wilson, D
- 1962–63: Bill Staub, F
- 1963–64: Bill Staub, F
- 1964–65: Wayne Smith, D
- 1965–66: Wayne Smith, D
- 1966–67: Keith Magnuson, D; Jim Wiste, F
- 1967–68: Keith Magnuson, D; Jim Wiste, F
- 1968–69: Keith Magnuson, D; George Morrison, F
- 1969–70: George Morrison, F
- 1970–71: Mike Christie, D
- 1971–72: Tom Peluso, F
- 1972–73: Ron Grahame, G; Bruce Affleck, D; Rob Palmer, F; Peter McNab, F
- 1977–78: Ernie Glanville, G; Doug Berry, F
- 1981–82: Ed Beers, F
- 1983–84: Jim Leavins, D
- 1985–86: Dallas Gaume, F
- 1988–89: Daryn McBride, F
- 1989–90: Dave Shields, F
- 1998–99: Paul Comrie, F
- 2001–02: Wade Dubielewicz, G
- 2002–03: Aaron MacKenzie, D
- 2004–05: Matt Carle, D; Brett Skinner, D
- 2005–06: Matt Carle, D; Paul Stastny, F
- 2009–10: Marc Cheverie, G; Patrick Wiercioch, D; Rhett Rakhshani, F
- 2011–12: Joey LaLeggia, D
- 1951–52: Bill Abbott, F
- 1952–53: Bill Abbott, F
- 1953–54: Bill Abbott, D; Jack Smith, F
- 1954–55: Bill Abbott, D; Jack Smith, F
- 1955–56: Ed Zemrau, D
- 1957–58: Murray Massier, F
- 1959–60: George Konik, D; John MacMillan, F
- 1961–62: Trent Beatty, F
- 1962–63: Jack Wilson, D; Dominic Fragomeni, F
- 1963–64: Buddy Blom, G; Wayne Smith, D; Jim Kenning, D
- 1967–68: Gerry Powers, G; Cliff Koroll, F
- 1968–69: Gerry Powers, G; Tom Miller, F
- 1969–70: Tom Gilmore, F
- 1970–71: Vic Venasky, F
- 1973–74: Bruce Affleck, D
- 1976–77: Greg Woods, D
- 1977–78: Greg Woods, D; Lex Hudson, D; Perry Schnarr, F
- 1980–81: Ken Berry, F
- 1985–86: Tom Allen, G; Dwight Mathiasen, F
- 1987–88: Daryn McBride, F
- 1989–90: Eric Murano, F
- 1994–95: Sinuhe Wallinheimo, G
- 1995–96: Antti Laaksonen, F
- 2000–01: Wade Dubielewicz, G
- 2002–03: Wade Dubielewicz, G
- 2003–04: Ryan Caldwell, D
- 2004–05: Gabe Gauthier, F
- 2007–08: Chris Butler, D
- 2008–09: Marc Cheverie, G; Patrick Wiercioch, D
- 2009–10: Tyler Ruegsegger, F
- 2010–11: Matt Donovan, D; Jason Zucker, F; Drew Shore, F
- 2011–12: Jason Zucker, F; Drew Shore, F
- 2012–13: Juho Olkinuora, G; Joey LaLeggia, D
- 1996–97: Jim Mullin, G
- 1997–98: Paul Comrie, F
- 1998–99: James Patterson, F
- 2001–02: Adam Berkhoel, G; Aaron MacKenzie, D; Connor James, F
- 2002–03: Kevin Doell, F
- 2003–04: Adam Berkhoel, G; Gabe Gauthier, F
- 2005–06: Ryan Dingle, F
- 2006–07: Ryan Dingle, F
- 2007–08: Peter Mannino, G; Tyler Bozak, F
- 2008–09: Anthony Maiani, F; Rhett Rakhshani, F
- 2009–10: Joe Colborne, F
- 1997–98: Mark Rycroft, F
- 2000–01: Ryan Caldwell, D
- 2003–04: Matt Carle, D
- 2004–05: Paul Stastny, F
- 2005–06: Chris Butler, D
- 2007–08: Tyler Bozak, F
- 2008–09: Patrick Wiercioch, D; Joe Colborne, F
- 2009–10: Matt Donovan, D
- 2010–11: Sam Brittain, G; David Makowski, D; Jason Zucker, F
- 2011–12: Juho Olkinuora, G; Joey LaLeggia, D
- 2012–13: Nolan Zajac, D
NCHC
Individual awards
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All-Conference
- 2013–14: Sam Brittain, G; Joey LaLeggia, D
- 2014–15: Joey LaLeggia, D; Trevor Moore, F
- 2015–16: Will Butcher, D; Danton Heinen, F
- 2016–17: Tanner Jaillet, G; Will Butcher, D
- 2017–18: Tanner Jaillet, G; Henrik Borgström, F
- 2019–20: Ian Mitchell, D
- 2021–22: Bobby Brink, F
- 2022–23: Magnus Chrona, G; Michael Benning, D; Massimo Rizzo, F
- 2023–24: Zeev Buium, D; Jack Devine, F
- 2014–15: Danton Heinen, F
- 2016–17: Henrik Borgström, F; Dylan Gambrell, F
- 2017–18: Troy Terry, F; Dylan Gambrell, F
- 2019–20: Emilio Pettersen, F
- 2021–22: Michael Benning, D; Carter Savoie, F
- 2022–23: Carter Mazur, F
- 2023–24: Shai Buium, D; Massimo Rizzo, F
- 2013–14: Trevor Moore, F
- 2014–15: Danton Heinen, F
- 2015–16: Dylan Gambrell, F
- 2016–17: Michael Davies, D; Henrik Borgström, F
- 2017–18: Ian Mitchell, D
- 2019–20: Magnus Chrona, G; Bobby Brink, F
- 2021–22: Sean Behrens, D; Shai Buium, D; Carter Mazur, F; Massimo Rizzo, F
- 2023–24: Zeev Buium, D; Miko Matikka, F
Olympians
This is a list of Denver hockey alumni who were a part of an Olympic team.[30]
Name | Position | Denver Tenure | Team | Year | Finish |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Glenn Anderson | Right Wing | 1978–1979 | ![]() |
1980 | 6th |
Ken Berry | Right Wing | 1978–1979, 1980–1981 | ![]() |
1980 1988 | 6th, 4th |
Kevin Dineen | Right Wing | 1981–1983 | ![]() |
1984, 2014* | 4th, ![]() |
Marshall Johnston | Defenseman | 1960–1963 | ![]() |
1964 1968 | 4th, ![]() |
Antti Laaksonen | Forward | 1993–1997 | ![]() |
2006 | ![]() |
Derek Mayer | Defenseman | 1985–1988 | ![]() |
1994 | ![]() |
Ronald Naslund | Forward | 1962–1965 | ![]() |
1972 | ![]() |
Craig Patrick | Right Wing | 1966–1970 | ![]() |
1980, 2002† | ![]() ![]() |
Craig Redmond | Defenseman | 1982–1983 | ![]() |
1984 | 4th |
Nick Shore | Center | 2010–2013 | ![]() |
2022 | 5th |
Paul Stastny | Center | 2004–2006 | ![]() |
2010, 2014 | ![]() |
Troy Terry | Right Wing | 2015–2018 | ![]() |
2018 | 7th |
David Tomassoni | Forward | 1972–1975 | ![]() |
1984 | 9th |
† Craig Patrick was an assistant coach for the 1980 team and the general manager for the 2002 team.
* Kevin Dineen was head coach of the Gold Medal Winning Canadian women's team at the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, Russia.
Statistical leaders
Source:[18]
Career points leaders
Player | Years | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dallas Gaume | 1982–1986 | 145 | 78 | 188 | 266 | |
Dwight Mathiasen | 1983–1986 | 123 | 90 | 108 | 198 | |
John McMillan | 1983–1987 | 152 | 69 | 127 | 196 | |
Bill Masterton | 1958–1961 | 89 | 66 | 130 | 196 | |
Rick Berens | 1987–1991 | 159 | 94 | 86 | 180 | |
Doug Berry | 1975–1978 | 119 | 65 | 115 | 180 | |
Dave Shields | 1986–1990 | 146 | 71 | 108 | 179 | |
Ed Hayes | 1969–1973 | 140 | 74 | 103 | 177 | |
Greg Woods | 1975–1979 | 161 | 51 | 125 | 176 | |
Peter McNab | 1970–1973 | 105 | 78 | 92 | 170 |
Career goaltending leaders
GP = Games played; Min = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GA = Goals against; SO = Shutouts; SV% = Save percentage; GAA = Goals against average
Minimum 30 games
Player | Years | GP | Min | W | L | T | GA | SO | SV% | GAA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Devin Cooley | 2017–2020 | 32 | 1,708 | 15 | 9 | 4 | 55 | 6 | .927 | 1.93 |
Tanner Jaillet | 2014–2018 | 135 | 7,560 | 82 | 27 | 16 | 257 | 9 | .925 | 1.94 |
Evan Cowley | 2013–2017 | 52 | 2,469 | 23 | 15 | 3 | 79 | 6 | .933 | 2.04 |
Wade Dubielewicz | 1999–2003 | 85 | 4,629 | 44 | 26 | 6 | 170 | 8 | .923 | 2.20 |
George Kirkwood | 1959–1961 | 66 | — | 57 | 5 | 4 | — | 6 | .904 | 2.20 |
Magnus Chrona | 2019–2023 | 114 | 6,686 | 73 | 34 | 5 | 245 | 13 | .914 | 2.20 |
Statistics current through the end of the 2022–23 season.
Denver Athletic Hall of Fame
The following is a list of people associated with the Denver men's ice hockey program who were elected into the Denver Athletic Hall of Fame (induction date in parentheses).[31]
- Murray Armstrong (1996)
- Keith Magnuson (1996)
- Bill Masterton (1996)
- Ron Grahame (1997)
- George Konik (1997)
- Jerry Walker (1999)
- Dallas Gaume (2000)
- Eddie Miller (2000)
- Jim Wiste (2000)
- 1960 Championship Team (2000)
- Marty Howe (2001)
- Craig Patrick (2001)
- Marshall Johnston (2002)
- Cliff Koroll (2003)
- 1961 Championship Team (2004)
- Gerry Powers (2005)
- George Kirkwood (2006)
- 1968 Championship Team (2006)
- 1958 Championship Team (2008)
- 1969 Championship Team (2010)
- Ed Zemrau (2012)
- George Morrison (2012)
- John MacMillan (2014)
- 2004 Championship Team(2014)
Current roster
As of September 27, 2023.[32]
No. | S/P/C | Player | Class | Pos | Height | Weight | DoB | Hometown | Previous team | NHL rights |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() |
Freddie Halyk | Freshman | G | 6' 5" (1.96 m) | 210 lb (95 kg) | 2003-08-27 | Cochrane, Alberta | Camrose (AJHL) | — |
2 | ![]() |
Sean Behrens | Junior | D | 5' 9" (1.75 m) | 178 lb (81 kg) | 2003-03-31 | Barrington, Illinois | NTDP (USHL) | 2021
|
3 | ![]() |
Cale Ashcroft | Freshman | D | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | 2004-08-05 | St. Albert, Alberta | Tri-City (USHL) | — |
4 | ![]() |
Jack Devine | Junior | F | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | 2003-10-02 | Glencoe, Illinois | NTDP (USHL) | 2022
|
5 | ![]() |
Garrett Brown | Freshman | D | 6' 3" (1.91 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | 2004-04-04 | San Jose, California | Waterloo (USHL) | 2022
|
6 | ![]() |
McKade Webster | Senior | F | 5' 10" (1.78 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | 2000-07-28 | St. Louis, Missouri | Green Bay (USHL) | 2019
|
7 | ![]() |
Aidan Thompson | Sophomore | F | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | 2002-02-18 | Fort Collins, Colorado | Lincoln (USHL) | 2022
|
8 | ![]() |
Shai Buium | Junior | D | 6' 3" (1.91 m) | 220 lb (100 kg) | 2003-03-26 | San Diego, California | Sioux City (USHL) | 2021
|
9 | ![]() |
Boston Buckberger | Freshman | D | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | 2003-06-01 | Saskatoon, Saskatchewan | Lincoln (USHL) | — |
10 | ![]() |
Miko Matikka | Freshman | F | 6' 4" (1.93 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | 2003-10-26 | Helsinki, Finland | Waterloo (USHL) | 2022
|
11 | ![]() |
Lucas Ölvestad | Sophomore | D | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | 2002-03-19 | Stockholm, Sweden | Dubuque (USHL) | — |
12 | ![]() |
Sam Harris | Freshman | F | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | 2003-10-14 | San Diego, California | Sioux Falls (USHL) | 2023
|
13 | ![]() |
Massimo Rizzo | Junior | F | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 178 lb (81 kg) | 2001-06-13 | Burnaby, British Columbia | Coquitlam (BCHL) | 2019
|
14 | ![]() |
Rieger Lorenz | Sophomore | F | 6' 2" (1.88 m) | 192 lb (87 kg) | 2004-03-30 | Calgary, Alberta | Okotoks (AJHL) | 2022
|
15 | ![]() |
Carter King | Junior | F | 5' 10" (1.78 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 2001-08-30 | Calgary, Alberta | Surrey (BCHL) | — |
16 | ![]() |
Tristan Broz | Junior | F | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 183 lb (83 kg) | 2002-10-10 | Bloomington, Minnesota | Minnesota (Big Ten) | 2021
|
17 | ![]() |
Peter LaJoy | Freshman | F | 5' 7" (1.7 m) | 165 lb (75 kg) | 2002-02-27 | Evergreen, Colorado | Danbury (NAHL) | — |
18 | ![]() |
Jared Wright | Sophomore | F | 6' 2" (1.88 m) | 176 lb (80 kg) | 2002-11-22 | Burnsville, Minnesota | Omaha (USHL) | 2022
|
21 | ![]() |
Kent Anderson | Sophomore | D | 6' 3" (1.91 m) | 205 lb (93 kg) | 2003-11-13 | Calgary, Alberta | Green Bay (USHL) | — |
22 | ![]() |
Connor Caponi | Senior | F | 5' 9" (1.75 m) | 186 lb (84 kg) | 2000-03-20 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin
|
Waterloo (USHL) | — |
24 | ![]() |
Kieran Cebrian | Freshman | F | 6' 2" (1.88 m) | 195 lb (88 kg) | 2003-03-31 | Denver, Colorado | Tri-City (USHL) | — |
28 | ![]() |
Zeev Buium | Freshman | D | 6' 2" (1.88 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | 2005-12-07 | San Diego, California | USNTDP (USHL) | 2024
|
29 | ![]() |
Tristan Lemyre | Sophomore | F | 5' 9" (1.75 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | 2001-01-15 | Mirabel, Quebec | Dubuque (USHL) | — |
31 | ![]() |
Jack Caruso | Senior | G | 5' 9" (1.75 m) | 187 lb (85 kg) | 1999-06-07 | St. Louis, Missouri | Fairbanks (NAHL) | — |
35 | ![]() |
Matt Davis | Junior | G | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 179 lb (81 kg) | 2001-06-16 | Calgary, Alberta | Green Bay (USHL) | — |
39 | ![]() |
Alex Weiermair | Freshman | F | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | 2005-05-10 | Los Angeles, California | USNTDP (USHL) | — |
Pioneers in the NHL
As of July 1, 2023.
= NHL All-Star team | = NHL All-Star[33] |
= NHL All-Star[33] and NHL All-Star team
|
= Hall of Famers |
|
|
† Patrick won two Stanley Cups as the general manager for the Pittsburgh Penguins. @ Dineen won his Stanley Cup as an assistant coach for the Chicago Blackhawks. # Johnston won his Stanley Cup as an executive for the Carolina Hurricanes. ^ Affleck won his Stanley Cup as an executive for the St. Louis Blues.
& Butler won his Stanley Cup as player for the St. Louis Blues. He did not play enough NHL games to merit engraving his name on trophy that year, but he did get to skate with the Cup in uniform after the final game. He then retired from hockey.
Retired NHL players statsNote: This is a partial list of NHL players who attended DU (75 DU players have played in the NHL)
|
Active players statsActive as of the end of the 2017–18 season[34]
|
Notes:
- 1 Masterton suffered severe head trauma on January 13, 1968, during an NHL game when he fell to the ice and hit his head. He died two days later and became the first player to die as a direct result of an injury during an NHL game. The Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the NHL player who best personifies perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to the game of ice hockey.
WHA
Several players also were members of WHA teams.
Player | Position | Team(s) | Years | Avco Cups |
---|---|---|---|---|
Doug Berry | Center | EDM | 1978–1979 | 0 |
Tom Gilmore | Right wing | LAS, EDM | 1972–1975 | 0 |
Ron Grahame | Goaltender | HOU | 1973–1977 | 1 |
George Konik | Defenseman | MFS | 1972–1973 | 0 |
Brian Morenz | Left wing | NYD, NYG, JK, SDM | 1972–1976 | 0 |
George Morrison | Left wing | MFS, CAC | 1972–1977 | 0 |
Craig Patrick | Center | MFS | 1976–1977 | 0 |
Lynn Powis | Center | WIN
|
1975–1978 | 1 |
Rich Preston | Right wing | WIN
|
1974–1979 | 2 |
Cal Sandbeck | Defenseman | EDM | 1977–1979 | 0 |
Jim Wiste | Center | CLC, IND | 1972–1976 | 0 |
Arenas
University of Denver Arena (1948–1997)
University of Denver Arena (DU Arena) was a 5,237-seat multi-purpose arena on campus in Denver. In addition to serving as the Pioneers' home rink, it hosted several Frozen Fours. It was razed in 1997 to make room for the $75 million Magness Arena, (part of the Ritchie Center for Sports and Wellness) which opened in 1999.
Originally a
The arena was refurbished in 1972–73 when the roof needed repairs, and 14 seven-ton steel trusses were added to shore up the roof. Additional patchwork renovations were added in the 1990s, prior to razing in 1997.
The best-known features of the arena were the steep bleacher balcony at the south end, and the 1970s rainbow painted on the north end wall. Famous hockey games held there include the NCAA ice hockey finals in 1961, 1964, and 1976.
Magness Arena (1999–present)
Also on campus, Magness Arena is a 7,200-seat multi-purpose collegiate sports arena, built from 1997 to 1999. It is part of the Daniel L. Ritchie Center for Sports & Wellness, DU's $84 million, 400,000-square-foot (37,000 m2) sports complex, and is home to the Pioneers' ice hockey and basketball teams. The aging DU Arena and DU Fieldhouse were razed in 1997 to make way for the Ritchie Center, which includes Hamilton Gymnasium, utilized for less-attended basketball games.
The arena is named after cable television pioneer Bob Magness, who donated $10 million towards construction costs.
Other arenas
When the DU Arena roof was being fixed between 1972 and 1973, the Pioneers played home games at the Denver Coliseum.
When Magness Arena was under construction from 1997 to 1999, Denver played its home games at four different arenas along the
DU has also played a 2012 home exhibition game at Denver's
Denver's all-time record hockey crowd was the 2016 regular season outdoor NCHC game against Colorado College, called "The Battle on Blake" before over 35,000 fans at Denver's Coors Field baseball stadium, the most fans to ever see a home DU sporting event in Denver.
DU's previous indoor record home crowd was the 1995 Denver Cup final at
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
References
- ^ Colors | University of Denver. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
- ^ "Events & Rentals". University of Denver. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
- ^ a b c d "Denver Pioneers men's Hockey 2004-05 Media Guide". Denver Pioneers. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
- ^ "Univ. of Michigan 1950-51 roster and statistics". EliteProspects. Retrieved October 24, 2018.
- ^ "Denver grabs hockey title". Deseret News. (Salt Lake City, Utah). International News Service. March 17, 1958. p. 6B.
- ^ "History of the WCHA". College Hockey Historical Archive. Retrieved January 4, 2017.
- ^ "The 10 Greatest College Hockey Teams of All Time". Bleacher Report. Retrieved November 3, 2018.
- ^ "Denver Pioneers 2007-08 Hockey Yearbook" (PDF). Denver Pioneers. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 4, 2017. Retrieved January 3, 2017.
- ^ "NCAA Frozen Four Records" (PDF). NCAA.org. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 17, 2012. Retrieved June 19, 2013.
- ^ "All-WCHA Teams". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved April 13, 2014.
- ^ "Men's Ice Hockey Award Winners" (PDF). NCAA.org. Retrieved June 11, 2013.
- ^ "Alumni report for U. of Denver". Hockey DB. Retrieved November 3, 2018.
- ^ "North Dakota 2015-16 Hockey Yearbook" (PDF). North Dakota. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 18, 2016. Retrieved January 1, 2017.
- ^ "Michigan 2009-10 Hockey Yearbook" (PDF). Michigan Wolverines. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 7, 2010. Retrieved December 30, 2016.
- ^ "50th Anniversary, Reliving the Historical March 2-4, 1966 Blizzard". NOAA. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
- ^ "Tourney Time: First Round Preview vs. Denver". Boston College Eagles. Retrieved November 4, 2018.
- ^ a b "Denver Pioneers: 55 Years of Overcoming Obstacles". USCHO.com. April 20, 2004. Retrieved November 4, 2018.
- ^ a b c "Denver hockey 2018-19 Media Guide" (PDF). Denver Pioneers. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 7, 2019. Retrieved November 4, 2018.
- ^ "Final Bracketology: 2003-2004". USCHO.com. March 21, 2004. Retrieved November 5, 2018.
- ^ "Berkhoel, Bull, Fulghum Send Denver To Boston". USCHO.com. March 27, 2004. Retrieved November 5, 2018.
- ^ "Thursday, April 8, 2004 Denver (DEN) vs Minnesota-Duluth (MND)". College Hockey Stats. Retrieved November 5, 2018.
- ^ "Berkhoel, Pioneers Whitewash Black Bears For NCAA Title". USCHO.com. April 10, 2004. Retrieved November 5, 2018.
- ^ "The Road Less Traveled-Pioneers Repeat as NCAA Champion". USCHO.com. April 9, 2005. Retrieved November 5, 2018.
- ^ "George Gwozdecky fired as Denver Pioneers hockey coach after 19 years". Denver Post. April 1, 2013. Retrieved November 5, 2018.
- ^ "2022 Division I Men's Ice Hockey Official Bracket | NCAA.com". www.ncaa.com. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
- ^ "Denver Hockey Media Guide 2020-21" (PDF). Denver Pioneers. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 1, 2021. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
- ^ David Kensa, "College Hockey's Top 10 Rivalries," College Hockey News, February 8, 2006
- ^ "Legends of Hockey". Hockey Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on October 16, 2018. Retrieved October 7, 2018.
- ^ "United States Hockey Hall of Fame". Hockey Central.co.uk. Retrieved April 21, 2010.
- ^ "Alumni report for U. of Denver". Hockey DB. Retrieved November 5, 2018.
- ^ "DENVER ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME". Denver Pioneers. Retrieved November 7, 2018.
- ^ "2023-24 Men's Ice Hockey Roster". Denver Pioneers. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
- ^ a b Players are identified as an All-Star if they were selected for the All-Star game at any time in their career.
- ^ "2017-2018 Alums In The NHL". collegehockeyinc.com.
- ^ "Alumni report for U. of Denver". Internet Hockey Database. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
- ^ Missildine, Harry (May 27, 1963). "Farragut furnished DU rink". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). p. 10.
External links
- Denver Pioneers men's ice hockey Archived 2016-07-18 at the Wayback Machine