INCH Ranks DU's Recruiting Class #9

From: Inside College Hockey

INCH's Recruiting Rankings have just been released and DU came in 9th. Although the rankings are fun to look at they haven't proved to be entirely reliable over the years.

In 2004 they ranked DU's recruiting class 8th that included Stastny, Dingle, Mannino, Thomas & Paukovich. DU started four of those freshmen in the National Championship game just six months later. Peter Mannino was Most Outstanding Player of the Frozen Four, Paul Stastny had two goals in the National Championship game and Coach Gwozdecky said that he never seen a Freshman Class contribute like that one. Considering what Stastny has done in the NHL you'd have to rank that class as one of DU's best ever.

INCH ranked DU's 2005 class #6

DU's 2006 class was #4

INCH's 2007 Recruiting Classes

1. Wisconsin
Top freshmen: D Ryan McDonagh, D Brendan Smith, F Kyle Turris

2. Boston University
Top freshmen: D Colby Cohen, D Kevin Shattenkirk, F Colin Wilson

3. New Hampshire
Top freshmen: F Phil DiSimone, D, Paul Thompson, F James van Riemsdyk

4. Notre Dame
Top freshmen: D Ian Cole, D Ted Ruth, F Ben Ryan

5. Michigan
Top freshmen: F Max Pacioretty, F Aaron Palushaj, D Kevin Quick

6. Michigan State
Top freshmen: F Dustin Gazley, D Jeff Petry, F Corey Tropp

7. Miami
Top freshmen: F Carter Camper, F Pat Cannone, D Vince Lo Verde

8. Boston College
Top freshmen: F Ryan Hayes, G John Muse, D Nick Petrecki

9. Denver
Top freshmen: F Tyler Bozak, F Jesse Martin, F Kyle Ostrow

10. Minnesota
Top freshmen: D Cade Fairchild, G Alex Kangas, F Patrick White

11. North Dakota
Top freshmen: F Matt Frattin, D Derrick LaPoint, F Brad Malone

12. Clarkson
Top freshmen: F Scott Freeman, F Michael Kosziwka, D Brian Rufenach

13. Rensselaer
Top freshmen: D Bryan Brutlag, F Tyler Helfrich, F Chace Polacek

14. Ohio State
Top freshmen: F John Albert, D, Shane Sims, D Corey Toy

15. Nebraska-Omaha
Top freshmen: D Alain Goulet, D Michael Phillippi, F Rich Purslow
LetsGoDU Marks 3rd Year Covering DU Hockey
Today begins our third season covering DU Hockey. On September 27, 2005 we started LetsGoDU publishing a report on School Spirit at DU and a link to Tom Douglis' article about the History of DU Hockey from 1953-2004.

In the past three years we've amassed almost 1,000 articles on DU Hockey and had over 113,000 visitors who have found us via search engines, links or word of mouth.

Last week Mike Chambers of the Denver Post kicked off his new blog which will cover DU, CC & Air Force hockey this season (if you haven't seen it yet, check it out). His blog looks like its off to a great start and we look forward to linking up with his coverage. Thanks also go out to Pat Rooney of the Rocky Mountain News who has also done a great job covering the Pioneers over the past few seasons.

Terrific writers such as D.J. Powers of Hockey's Future and Chuck Mindenhall of Denver Sports Guide have contributed story ideas and articles to LetsGoDU. We've swapped blogs with Donald over at UAA Fan Blog and of course we've mercilessly teased the Colorado College faithful. Through it all we've profiled our student athletes through thick and thin.

Thanks to everyone who has contributed articles, links, photos, story ideas, posted comments or alerted us to information that you thought would be interesting to our readers. LetsGoDU continues to grow because of interest and input from college hockey fans. Thanks especially to du78 for filling in, contributing articles and calling me each week to "talk hockey."

LetsGoDU has regularly republished articles from DU's student newspaper, The Clarion, and hopefully used this forum to connect DU students, alumni and fans. I believe that the students' campaign last Fall to reinstate the Denver Boone as DU's official mascot is one such manifestation of this relationship.

As a DU alum, its been fun updating this site and keeping connected to the hockey program. We strive to provide fast reliable information, while maintaining our mission of covering DU Hockey from A to Z in a lighthearted manner. As one wise curmudgeon is fond of saying, "LetsGoDU - It is what it is."

This should be another exciting year of Pioneer hockey culminating with the Frozen Four in Denver. LetsGoDU will be there every step of the way covering the Pioneers, important events at the University of Denver and all the festivities surrounding the Frozen Four.

GO DU
WCHA Blog Breaks Down The Pioneers
The always informative WCHA Blog has a great in-depth recap of this years DU hockey team. Its a little scary when you realize that 70% of this years roster will be either Freshmen or Sophmores (19 out of 28 players).

2007 WCHA Coaches Poll

1 North Dakota (7) 79
2 Minnesota (3) 74
3 Colorado Coll. 55
4 Denver 53
5 Wisconsin 52
6 St. Cloud St. 43
7 Michigan Tech 41
8 Minn.-Duluth 23
9 MSU-Mankato 19
10 Anchorage 11

LetsGoDU Super Poll®*

1). Denver (1)
2). UND
3). UMn
4). SCSU
5). UW
6). MTU
7). UMD
8). MSU-M
9). UAA
10). CC

* The LetsGoDU Super Poll® is a scientific analysis factoring strength of schedule, player statistics and coaching tendencies. Then Denver is placed in the one hole, CC is placed last and the rest of the teams more or less settle where they might likely finish.
Magness Ushers Will Not Taser Rowdy Hockey Fans
University of Florida Incident Sparks Backlash At DU
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(left) "Don't Tase me Bro." Incidents such as this will become rarer at Magness Arena this season as DU Ushers & Security have been instructed to leave their electronic stun guns at home


DU students will be relieved to learn that Magness Arena staff will no longer use Tasers to control rowdy student behavior in the student section of Magness Arena.

This move was necessitated after two University of Florida police officers were placed on leave with pay after using an electronic stun gun to subdue a student who was questioning Sen. John Kerry at a campus forum last week.
DU Alum Traded To The Boston Bruins
Brent Skinner Won Two Championships At DU

From: Boston Bruins Website

(Photo) Brent Skinner (on the left) will play for the Providence Bruins this season in the AHL



Boston Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli announced Monday that the Bruins have acquired defenseman Nathan Saunders and defenseman Brett Skinner from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for center Mark Mowers. Both Saunders and Skinner have been assigned to Providence (AHL).

24-year-old Brett Skinner was selected by the Vancouver Canucks in the third round (68th overall) of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft before being dealt to Anaheim on March 9, 2006. He played for three different teams in 2006-2007, including the Portland Pirates (AHL), Augusta Lynx (ECHL) and Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights (AHL). Skinner won back-to-back National Championships with the University of Denver in 2004 and 2005. His first professional experience came with the Manitoba Moose during the 2005-2006 season where he recorded 4-21-25 totals in 65 games.

Paulgaard Won't Play For DU This Season
3rd String Goalie Is Ineligible


From: Mike Chambers Blog

Lars Paulgaard of Vettre, Norway, is ineligible this season. According to DU assistant Steve Miller, Paulgaard is enrolled in school, and can have a space in the locker room, but can’t play. If he graduates school in four years, he could apply for a redshirt this season, giving him four full years of playing time.

Lost season with the Southern Minnesota Express he posted a 30-18-2 record with a 2.54 GAA & .916 Save Percentage.
Mike Chamber's Blog Reveals Projected Lineup
Denver Post sportswriter Mike Chambers' new Blog takes an early look at DU's projected line-up/depth chart going into Fall practices. You have to think that since Chambers spends so much time around the team and has access to the DU coaching staff this may be close to what hits the ice on opening day.

So far his Blog is off to a hot start so drop him a comment or two.


Offense

Rakhshani - Ruegsegger - Trotter

Gifford - Bozak - Mullen

May - Maiani - Martin

Ostrow - Glasser - Vossberg

(subs) Jackson, Cunningham


Defense

Thomas - Testwuide

Butler - Brookwell

Ryder - Marcuzzi

(subs) Cook, Brehm, Nutini, Blom


Goaltenders

Mannino

(sub) Cheverie


DU Freshman Hockey Fans Eager For Hockey Season

(above) DU students wait in line at Magness Arena on Saturday morning

Student Newspaper Covers Season Ticket Campout

From: DU Clarion
by Brooks Kirchheimer


(left) Assistant Coach Steve Miller helps a DU student purchase his season tickets

In the past four years DU hockey fans have seen two national championships followed by two seasons of not even making the playoffs. This year fans and players are ready to start anew and they definitely will with a program record 12 freshmen making the roster.

Those freshmen and the rest of the Pioneers were on hand this past Saturday to mingle with many other DU students as they lined up for season tickets. Hockey season tickets went on sale at 8 a.m. on Saturday and for the sixth straight season were sold out by mid-morning.

"I think it will be a good season. It better be a good season, I am looking forward to it, I can't wait for the games to start. I want to see some wins," said freshman student Jay Murphy.

Murphy was the first to line up, as he arrived at 11 a.m. on Friday to secure a spot in line.

Numerous tents, sleeping bags and blankets were out on Friday evening as students prepared for a long and cold evening outside of the Ritchie Center.

"We are in it for the long haul, I am trying to pull the all nighter, so I don't know if I am going to get some sleep," said Murphy.

"We just came for the experience. We heard it was a great one," said freshman Sarah DeNapoli.

As nightfall approached fans were greeted with two Mountain Dew trucks, which provided music, a Halo 3 tournament and free drinks and T-shirts.

When the morning finally arrived hockey players and coaches were there to provide free doughnuts for all students. Freshman players Dustin Jackson and Jesse Martin sang the DU fight song to entertain the crowd just minutes before tickets went on sale.

Although season tickets are sold out, students can still purchase single-game tickets the Monday before the home weekend series throughout the season.

The Pioneers open the regular season at home Oct. 12 and 13 against Maine.

"I just want to see some hockey games, I am a big time fan, I just love hockey," said Murphy.

It will be a season of challenges and unknowns for the Pioneers who feature lots of youth.

Anchorage Fishwrap Covers Murray Commitment

Goaltending Phenom To Appear At DU In 2009

From: Anchorage Daily News
by Doyle Woody


Goaltender Adam Murray of Anchorage, a high-school junior playing for the Under-17 team in USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program, has committed to join the University of Denver in 2009, according to a recruiting web site.

Chris Heisenberg reported Murray’s commitment to the Pioneers on his web site today.

Murray, 16, is so highly regarded he was picked up by the Under-17 team midway through last season, when he was still just 15. He played part of last season for South High and for the Alaska All Stars before moving on to the NTDP in Ann Arbor, Mich.

Murray plays for the U-17 team along with defenseman William Wrenn of Anchorage, 16.

That makes 15 Alaskans who have skated in the NTDP since it debuted in 1997 as a way to develop the best young American players for NHL and international competition.

An NTDP alum, current San Jose Sharks defenseman Matt Carle, skated at Denver, where he won two national championships, the Hobey Baker Memorial Award as college hockey’s best player and was named to any All-Everything Team that mattered.

Here’s the list, in chronological order, of Alaskans who have played in the NTDP:

Barrett Heisten, Mike Lee, Will Magnuson, Joey Hope, Steve Belanger, Joey Crabb, Jason Ryznar, Tim Wallace, Matt Carle, Jordan Pearce, Billy Smith, Wylie Rogers, Erik Felde, Adam Murray, William Wrenn.

New DU Hockey Blog Debuts This Week
Mike Chambers Of The Denver Post Starts Blogging
Mike Chambers of the Denver Post has been doing a great job covering the Pioneer Hockey team for the past several seasons. Yesterday his new Denver Post Blog devoted to DU, CC and Air Force hockey kicked off his coverage for the upcoming season. This is great news for college hockey fans as it will provide more articles and inside information on the Colorado teams.

Mike spends a lot of time covering the team and really enjoys writing about Pioneer hockey. If only he had started his Blog three years ago, we might never have needed LetsGoDU...

Don't forget that the Hockey In Colorado Blog also primarily covers the Pioneers as well.

DU Signs Top Goaltending Prospect For 2009

(above) Adam Murray

Adam Murray Commits To Goaltender U.
Its seemed like every college hockey power wanted to recruit Alaskan goaltending phenom Adam Murray. After his arrival at the USNDP last winter, Murray had become the top goaltending prospect in the country. When the dust finally settled this week, Murray made a verbal commitment to the University of Denver.

This has the potential to be one of the biggest goaltending signings by the Pioneer hockey program. Murray is expected arrive on campus in the Fall of 2009.

USHR
stated that Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan and Colorado College were also in the hunt for Murray.

2008 Recruiting Class

Joe Colborne - F Camrose (AJHL)
John Lee - D Waterloo (USHL)

2009 Recruiting Class

Nate Dewhurst - F Des Moines (USHL)
Matt Donovan - D Cedar Rapids (USHL)
Paul Phillips - D Cedar Rapids (USHL)
Adam Murray - G USNDP Under 17 (USNDP)
DU Students Snap Up Hockey Season Tickets

From: DU Athletics Website

Photo Album Of Campout

For the sixth consecutive year, DU sold out student hockey season tickets in an on-sale event Saturday that produced overnight campouts that began on Friday morning.

DU students set a new record by beginning their campout outside of the Daniel L. Ritchie Center North Box Office campout at 11 a.m. on Friday to secure their coveted tickets that went on sale at 8 a.m. this morning.

DU assistant coaches Steve Miller and PJ DeLuca and the entire 07-08 Pioneer hockey team greeted the students with doughnuts. Freshmen Dustin Jackson (Omaha, Neb.) and Jesse Martin (Edmonton, Alberta) serenaded the crowd with their rendition of the DU fight song “Fairest of Colleges.”

“The student support of our hockey program is awesome,” Pioneer senior captain Andrew Thomas said. “Their dedication and excitement for DU hockey makes this a great event every year.”

While the student hockey season tickets are sold out, individual game tickets for the balance of the student section will be sold on a game-by-game basis beginning the Monday morning prior to each home series.
DU Ranked #8 All-Time In NHL Draftees
(left) DU Alum Craig Patrick was the longtime General Manager of the NHL Pittsburgh Penguins during the "glory years"

AskMen.com ranked the Top 10 College Hockey Programs based on the number of players that have been drafted by NHL teams over the years. Not surprisingly, DU checked in ahead of Colorado College (#10). DU earned the ranking based on 50 players having been drafted by NHL teams over the years.

University of Denver

Players drafted into the NHL: 50

With seven national hockey championships, the University of Denver has produced as well as any school in the country, aside from Michigan. The Pioneers have a perfect environment for success: strong coaching, a frozen environment and a commitment to winning. Denver has sent a slew of players to the NHL and young high school hockey players want to play here for a shot at the big time.

Honors list: Glenn Anderson, Paul Stastny, Matt Carle

Class of 2008: Forward Rhett Rakhshani has all of the tools to succeed at the next level and compiled 36 points for Denver in 2006-‘07.
Student Tickets Go On Sale Saturday
(Left) For the past several seasons many DU students spent the night in line before student hockey tickets go on sale. Last season's "campout" was a huge success.

From: DU Athletics Website

Individual student season tickets for the 2007-08 Denver Pioneer hockey team go on sale Saturday, Sept. 15 at 8 a.m. at the Ritchie Center North Box Office. DU hockey student season tickets cost $60 for 15 games as students are limited to one ticket each with a valid DU student ID. The Pioneers have sold out student hockey tickets for five consecutive years. DU students are encouraged to get in line early as camping out began 16 hours prior to the start of the event last season.

"Our student support of our hockey program has been great the past five seasons," two-time National Coach of the Year George Gwozdecky said. "Our hockey team appreciates the tremendous support and we're looking forward to another sold out Magness Arena this season."
Flashy New Website Will Make DU A Perennial Power
Yesterday the University of Denver's Athletic Department unveiled its new website in partnership with Jump TV Sports. Check it out at DenverPioneers.com.

DU also published the official roster for the upcoming season. One surprise was that incoming Freshman goaltender Lars Paulgaard was on the roster after being mentioned "on again, off again" over the summer.
DU Alum Looks Back At 50+ Years In Hockey
Buddy Blom Led DU Against The Russians

From: Denver Post
by Irv Moss

(left) Buddy Blom starred for DU in the Sixties and then played professionally for the Ft. Worth Red Wings


There's obviously more to the story why Buddy Blom considered a 5-0 loss to the Russian national team his best game as a goaltender for the University of Denver hockey team.

The game was played Dec. 21, 1963, at The Broadmoor's World Arena in Colorado Springs. The Pioneers, coached by Murray Armstrong, had played the Russians much closer in other games in the series.

It was during a time when the Russians had regained the throne as king of international hockey after their 1960 loss to the gold medal-winning United States team at the Squaw Valley Olympics. Cold War tension also was at its highest.

"That probably was the best I ever played," Blom said last week, looking back on 54 years in hockey. "They outshot us 50-9 and almost all of them were point-blank. It could have been 25-0."

As a Canadian, Blom believed the best hockey in the world was played in his native country.

But that game and a few other experiences with the Russians convinced him that times had changed.

"The Russians revolutionized the sport," Blom said. "They opened up the game. They did it by rolling or rotating the wings as they brought the puck up the ice and bringing the defensemen up for rebounds. I don't think the game in Canada ever would have changed if the Russians hadn't forced it."

Blom came to DU with great credentials. He was the goalie for Hamilton, which won the Memorial Cup, the equivalent in junior hockey to the Stanley Cup in the NHL. But instead of continuing his career in Canada, he came to DU. It turned out to be a controversial decision. He learned just how seriously his countrymen took their hockey.

"The story went out across Canada on the national wires that I had jumped ship and had gone to the States to play hockey," Blom said. "I think everyone in the country frowned on it. They weren't happy with me, that's for sure."

While playing for Hamilton, Blom's roommate and teammate was Paul Henderson, who went on to be a hockey hero in Canada's competition with the Russians. The battle reached a roaring level in 1972 when the Russian national team played a nine-game series in cities across Canada against Canadian NHL players. Henderson scored the winning goal that gave the series edge to Canada.

"He's like an icon in Canada," Blom said of his former roommate. "That series was huge for Canada. It was like a war to reclaim dominance in hockey."

Blom's career at DU blossomed despite the rough going against the Russians. The Pioneers won the Western Collegiate Hockey Association championship in 1964 and 1966. They finished second in the NCAA Tournament in 1964 and third in 1966. Blom's DU teammates included Wayne Smith, Jim Wiste and Lyle Bradley.

While Henderson prospered in the NHL, Blom didn't make it to hockey's highest level. He played in hockey's professional minor leagues until a back injury convinced him to call it a career in 1970.

Blom still wonders about his lack of NHL playing time. Henderson claimed in a book that the NHL hierarchy never forgave Blom for departing the junior leagues for DU.

However, Blom has another story. It begins at a Sunday night practice at DU called by Armstrong after a disappointing road trip. In a shooting drill, a slap shot by Smith caught Blom in the temple.

There's obviously more to the story why Buddy Blom considered a 5-0 loss to the Russian national team his best game as a goaltender for the University of Denver hockey team.

The game was played Dec. 21, 1963, at The Broadmoor's World Arena in Colorado Springs. The Pioneers, coached by Murray Armstrong, had played the Russians much closer in other games in the series.

It was during a time when the Russians had regained the throne as king of international hockey after their 1960 loss to the gold medal-winning United States team at the Squaw Valley Olympics. Cold War tension also was at its highest.

"That probably was the best I ever played," Blom said last week, looking back on 54 years in hockey. "They outshot us 50-9 and almost all of them were point-blank. It could have been 25-0."

As a Canadian, Blom believed the best hockey in the world was played in his native country.

But that game and a few other experiences with the Russians convinced him that times had changed.

"The Russians revolutionized the sport," Blom said. "They opened up the game. They did it by rolling or rotating the wings as they brought the puck up the ice and bringing the defensemen up for rebounds. I don't think the game in Canada ever would have changed if the Russians hadn't forced it."

Blom came to DU with great credentials. He was the goalie for Hamilton, which won the Memorial Cup, the equivalent in junior hockey to the Stanley Cup in the NHL. But instead of continuing his career in Canada, he came to DU. It turned out to be a controversial decision. He learned just how seriously his countrymen took their hockey.

"The story went out across Canada on the national wires that I had jumped ship and had gone to the States to play hockey," Blom said. "I think everyone in the country frowned on it. They weren't happy with me, that's for sure."

While playing for Hamilton, Blom's roommate and teammate was Paul Henderson, who went on to be a hockey hero in Canada's competition with the Russians. The battle reached a roaring level in 1972 when the Russian national team played a nine-game series in cities across Canada against Canadian NHL players. Henderson scored the winning goal that gave the series edge to Canada.

"He's like an icon in Canada," Blom said of his former roommate. "That series was huge for Canada. It was like a war to reclaim dominance in hockey."

Blom's career at DU blossomed despite the rough going against the Russians. The Pioneers won the Western Collegiate Hockey Association championship in 1964 and 1966. They finished second in the NCAA Tournament in 1964 and third in 1966. Blom's DU teammates included Wayne Smith, Jim Wiste and Lyle Bradley.

While Henderson prospered in the NHL, Blom didn't make it to hockey's highest level. He played in hockey's professional minor leagues until a back injury convinced him to call it a career in 1970.

Blom still wonders about his lack of NHL playing time. Henderson claimed in a book that the NHL hierarchy never forgave Blom for departing the junior leagues for DU.

DU Hockey Tickets Go On Sale Today

From: DU Athletics Website


DENVER – Individual game tickets for the 2007-08 Denver Pioneer hockey team go on sale Saturday, Sept. 8 at 10 a.m. Individual game tickets start as low $18 for adults and $10 for children under 12 and senior citizens.
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Tickets can be purchased at the Ritchie Center North Box Office or from Ticket Master. For more information, please contact the DU Box Office at (303) 871-2336.

DU's 2007-08 Hockey Schedule

10/7 - University of Calgary (Exhibition)
10/12 - Maine (nc)
10/13 - Maine (nc)
10/18 - @ Notre Dame (nc) (Thur)
10/19 - @ Notre Dame (nc) (Fri)
Same weekend as USC @ Notre Dame Football!!!

10/26 - Minnesota-Duluth
10/27 - Minnesota-Duluth
11/2 - @ Minnesota
11/4 - @ Minnesota
Bye Week
11/16 - Minnesota State
11/17 - Minnesota State

11/23 - @ Colorado College
11/24 - Colorado College
11/30 - North Dakota
12/1 - North Dakota
12/7 - @ St. Cloud State
12/8 - @ St. Cloud State
12/14 - @ Alaska-Anchorage
12/15 - @ Alaska-Anchorage
XMAS - Bye Week
12/28 - Sacred Heart
(Denver Cup)
12/29 - Northern Michigan/Dartmouth (Denver Cup)

Bye Week (WJT Tourney)
1/11 - Wisconsin
1/12 - Wisconsin

1/18 - @ Air Force (nc)
1/19 - Bemidji State (nc)
Bye Week
2/1 - @ Minnesota State
2/2 - @ Minnesota State
2/8 - Minnesota
2/9 - Minnesota (TV - Big Ten Network)
2/15 - @ North Dakota
2/16 - @ North Dakota
2/22 - Alaska-Anchorage
2/23 - Alaska-Anchorage

2/29 - @ Michigan Tech
3/1 - @ Michigan Tech
3/7 - Colorado College
3/8 - @ Colorado College


March 14th to March 16th - WCHA 1st Round Playoffs

March 20th to March 22nd - WCHA Final Five
(Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul)


March 28th to March 30th - NCAA Regionals
(Worcester, Albany, Colorado Springs, Madison)


April 10th and April 12th - NCAA Frozen Four
(Pepsi Center - Denver, CO)
Hockey Highlights Homecoming Weekend
Homecoming & Parents Weekend, October 25-28

Thursday, October 25
Athletics Hall of Fame Celebration

Friday, October 26
DU Hockey Alumni Game @ Magness Arena 9:30 AM
Homecoming Parade
DU Hockey vs. Minnesota-Duluth

Saturday, October 27
Parents Breakfast With the Chancellor
Crimson & Gold Center Stage
DU Hockey vs. Minnesota-Duluth

Visit www.du.edu/homecoming for other events, buy hockey tickets and register online
DU Names Volunteer Assistant Coach
P.J. DeLuca Comes From USA Development Program
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From: DU Athletics Website

DENVER
PJ DeLuca has been named volunteer assistant coach for the University of Denver hockey program. DeLuca joins the Pioneers after serving as a graduate assistant hockey coach last season with the USA Hockey National Development Program (USNTDP) in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

DeLuca assisted in the day-to-day operations and coaching for the Under-17 and Under-18 USNTDP programs in 2006-07. He managed the teams’ video breakdown and analysis, and travel. DeLuca assisted in daily practice planning and scouting, while working primarily with forwards for both programs. He helped Team USA to the gold medal at the Under-17 Four Nations Tournament in 2007.
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“PJ comes highly regarded by USNTDP head coaches Ron Rolston and John Hynes,” Gwozdecky said. “He will make a strong contribution to our program and we’re pleased to have him join the DU hockey family.”
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DeLuca served as an assistant coach for the Chicago Mission Hockey Club (AAA) from 2005-06 and was the head coach for the Chicago Blues Hockey Club (AA) from 2004-05. He played junior hockey for the Cleveland Barons and Danville Wings of the North American Hockey League from 1994-96 and Dubuque Fighting Saints of the United States Hockey League in 1996-97.

DU Pursuing Top Notch Defenseman

According to USHR, DU is pursuing top-notch defenseman Patrick Wiercioch. Michigan, Michigan State, Wisconsin & New Hampshire also appear to be in the running.

Wiercioch will play for the Omaha Lancers of the USHL this season after playing for the Burnaby Express (BCHL) last year. Wiercioch felt his chances of getting scouted for a U.S. scholarship and by the NHL were better in Omaha and he will be draft eligible this year.

He is 6'1" 180 and is described in USHR as "driven and focused and could be a top 3 round pick in the NHL draft. His parents are from Poland and his father has indicated that he would "support his son's hockey career as long as he maintains top grades." He is a straight A student.