LetsGoDU

Danny King Leads Pioneers
Hobey Voting Kicks Off In January

From: DU Clarion
by Brooks Kirchheimer
.

He is the man behind the mask that no one really knows. He is the man that goes to every practice, every summer workout and every team meeting. He is the current DU senior that has yet to play in a regular or post-season college hockey, but never complains.

His name is Danny King and the Colorado Springs native has won two NCAA national championships with the Pioneers.

"It has its time when it can be tough, but you have to stick with your work ethic and remember how much you love the game," said King.

"Throughout the past three seasons Danny King has played an important and yet difficult role as a member of the Pioneer hockey team. Although his goaltending skills have continued to develop his playing time has been limited," said Head Coach George Gwozdecky.

King began his hockey career at the age of five in Colorado Springs playing youth hockey for the Tigers, an affiliate of the Colorado College program. King started as a forward for the first year, but quickly moved to goaltender and has been in the crease ever since.

"Being goalie has that adrenaline rush and so when you get in front of the goal during the game and play it is just an exciting position," said King.

After going to high school in Colorado Springs, King continued his hockey career playing for the Great Falls Americans of the America West Hockey League. In his two seasons he earned player of the month honors and also was the winning goaltender in the longest game in history of the AWHL.

The next stop on King's hockey career was playing for the Huntsville Wildcats of the Ontario Provincial Hockey League during the 2002-2003 season. While playing for Huntsville, King was named team Most Valuable Player and played in all but one game.

After playing junior hockey it was time for King to decide where he was going to play college hockey. King decided between Denver, Colorado College and Lake Superior State.

"I choose Denver because it has the total family atmosphere, all the players and coaches are one big family and DU is a great school and has an excellent business school," said King.

King came into Denver knowing that he would be a back-up goaltender and was fine with that.

"I feel that I bring a great work ethic to the rink every day and compete with Peter Mannino and Glenn Fisher during practices and help push them and get them to the top of their game," said King.

King is the player that is first on the ice and last off and brings a work ethic to the ice that all players should model after.

"Despite his lack of playing time Danny has maintained a very positive attitude. His great commitment to training has pushed all those around him to be better. As a result he has developed great respect from his teammates," said Gwozdecky.

King is a finance/marketing major in the Daniels College of Business and has a summer internship at JP Morgan in the downtown Denver office.

"I know that I probably will not play professional hockey and I have a great internship and will continue to learn about the finance industry," said King.

Although King did not play in either championship season, he still has lifetime memories from the games.

"It is ironic because the NCAA championships are the highlights of my hockey career and I didn't even play in the games. I had no idea what the experience would be like and it was great and something I will never forget," said King.

King is the epitome of a team player and although he has never played a game, he has played through his teammates and has helped everyone in the locker room be successful.

"Danny King represents Pioneer hockey in a first class manner," said Gwozdecky.