From: DU Clarion Student Newspaperby Brooks Kirchheimer
(left) Mike Testwuide is a Freshman at Colorado College
Within the fierce rivalry of DU and CC are two brothers who are living the dream and a mom that is having an amazing time watching it happen. There is a Testwuide on the Pioneer team and one on the Tigers.
J.P. is a sophomore with the Pioneers and his brother Mike is currently playing in his freshman year down in the Springs. "I was just thrilled that they could both play for such top-notch programs and stay in state. It does not get any better than that for Colorado residents," said mom Janet Testwuide.
J.P. is a career defenseman but played his first couple games as forward for the Pioneers against his younger brother who has always played forward. Both attended high school in New York and also both went on to play for the Waterloo Black Hawks of the United States Hockey League.
Mike recorded 18 goals and 13 assist with the Hawks last season in 54 games and was selected to the All-Star game. J.P. was a walk-on last season and recorded four assists and 43 penalty minutes for the Pioneers in 32 games.
Playing against each other was something new for the two brothers as they experienced this season in the four games the Pioneers and Tigers played.
"Playing against him in a Division One hockey game is one of the greatest feeling's ever and its great to be able to have the upper hand in it," said Mike Testwuide.
Mike had two goals in the first of the four games between the two teams this season and currently has eight goals and two assists for 10 points for the Tigers in 25 games. J.P. has recorded two assists in 35 games on the season while putting through 44 shots and sitting in the penalty box for 53 minutes.
"He is my big brother but he has been my driving force since I have been really little and he is the guy that I look up to for everything," said Mike.
The Testwuide family has adapted, since their mother wears a custom-made half-DU and half-CC jacket to the games. "It is a dream come true because they are living their dream, but it's a lot harder than I ever anticipated," said Janet Testwuide.
The parents try to attend all the home games, but it becomes tough when both CC and DU are home at the same time. When this happens the parents will usually attend one game at each school. Watching the two play against each other has not been easy either.
"I know every kid on the ice. I love every kid on the ice and you are just so invested in both teams and want both teams to do really well," said Janet Testwuide.
J.P. was recruited by DU but not offered a scholarship and has made the team this and last season as a walk-on. Mike was slightly recruited by DU but always had a special spot for the Tigers.
"I was barely recruited by DU, but I always wanted to go to CC more. I just grew up liking the Tigers. It is a smaller school and I really like the block program and it is the right fit for me," said Mike.
After playing with each other in high school and youth hockey for many years, playing against each other on the big stage was a little different.
"It is really weird to play against each other. We played together for a really long time and have been really close and being on separate teams it is just really weird, but playing against him is a lot of fun," said the younger Testwuide.
When they were on the ice against each other this season it did not lead to many brotherly hellos. "We don't ever really talk out on the ice, maybe a smile here and a smile there, but that is about it."
When it comes to brotherly competition, Mike thinks he has the upper hand. "I definitely say I am the better player, just to put him in the ground. He is an awesome player and he means a lot to DU and brings a lot of energy to the ice."
One thing is agreeable between the two brothers and that is they both hope they go far in the upcoming playoffs.
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