Denver Post: DU Has Four WJT Candidates

(above) DU Freshman Jason Zucker is considered a lock to make the USA World Junior Team in December

From: Denver Post
by Mike Chambers

Next Tuesday, the preliminary roster for the U.S. national junior team will be announced. As many as four University of Denver players are expected to be invited to the final evaluation camp, beginning Dec. 16 in Albany, N.Y.

Sophomore center Drew Shore, freshman center Nick Shore and freshman wings Beau Bennett and Jason Zucker are expected to make the 28-man preliminary roster [read rest of article].

Drew Shore Named Player Of The Week

(above) Drew Shore was named Inside College Hockey's National Player of the Week

University of Denver forward Drew Shore was named MVP of the Denver Cup and INCH's National Player of the Week after recording four goals and two assists against Lake Superior State and the Air Force Academy over the weekend.

Shore was also named WCHA Offensive Player of the Week.

Brad Hawkinson Commits To DU In 2013

(left) When Brad Hawkinson arrives at DU in 2013 he will be the 7th former Colorado Thunderbird to don the Crimson & Gold

On Monday evening the Colorado Thunderbirds Website, the Lincoln Stars based Black & Blue Blog & the Denver Post announced that 16 year-old Bradley Hawkinson (5'10 182 lbs) has committed to attend the University of Denver in 2013. Hawkinson, born in 1994, is from the Denver suburb of Aurora. Besides playing full-time with the Thunderbirds Under-18 team, he played a few games with the Lincoln Stars of the USHL this season and will most likely spend the next two seasons playing for the Stars.

Hawkinson's coach Angelo Ricci, once a high powered forward for the University of Denver (1991-95), scored 64 collegiate goals. Today he the Director of Hockey Operations for the Thunderbirds and he's developing some of the best young hockey players in North America within the confines of Denver's city limits. Three current Pioneer players are Thunderbird alums, as are at least four more future DU recruits, including Hawkinson.

"We are very proud of Brad for this exceptional recognition and we wish him all the best in the future," said Ricci. "The Thunderbird organization continues to provide a vehicle for the elite student-athlete to develop and advance to the next level. We are extremely excited for Brad, he will be a wonderful addition to the Pioneer program."

Hawkinson had been considering Boston University, Cornell, Denver, Harvard, Northeastern, and Yale. LetsGoDU profiled Hawkinson as a potential DU recruit in May, 2010.
2011 Recruiting Class
D Scott Mayfield (Youngstown, USHL)
F Zac Larraza (U.S. Under-18)
F Garrett Allen (Fargo, USHL)
D Matt Van Voorhis (U.S. Under-18)
D Joey LaLeggia (Penticton Vees, BCHL)
F Larkin Jacobson (Janesville Jets, NAHL)

2012 Recruiting Class
F Tyler Pham (Colorado Thunderbirds-U18)
D Dakota Mermis (U.S. Under-17)
D Josiah Didier (Cedar Rapids, USHL)
F Daniel Doremus (Sioux Falls, USHL)

2013 Recruiting Class
F Brad Hawkinson (Colorado Thunderbirds-U18)

Canadian Blog Takes Issue With Terry Frei

(above) The boyz up in Canada weren't too fond of Terry Frei's article about NCAA vs. major juniors hockey development yesterday

From: Coming Down The Pipe Blog
by Guy Flaming

I was emailed a link to this story that appeared in the Denver Post on Sunday written by Terry Frei. I've never met Terry, we've never had him on the show and I'm sure I've read his stuff before but do not recall seeing a CHL story from him in the past. I tell you this because I want to be very clear that I am not taking issue with his professionalism or objectivity here - that's not the case with a lot of American hockey journalists but I have no reason to believe that Mr. Frei is particularly anti-CHL [read rest of article].

News, Notes & Photos From Around PioNation

(above) Denver Post columnist Terry Frei, who has written several articles about the DU hockey program in recent weeks, is discussing and signing his newest book tonight (Mon. Nov. 29, 6 pm) at the Denver Press Club's “Book Beat" (1330 Glenarm Place, Denver). Its a free event, open to the public and no RSVP necessary. "Playing Piano in a Brothel" takes readers behind the scenes of several high-profile sports stories, including the CU football controversies. Wear a DU hockey shirt, mention to Terry that you read LetsGoDU and buy a few copies as Xmas presents.

(above) Pat Rooney has a profile on DU player Dustin Jackson, who has been a huge contributor since returning to the lineup

(above) DU Alum Rhett Rakhshani reaches for the puck after falling during Friday's game for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. Rhett has 7 goals & 9 assists in 23 AHL games this season

(above) ESPN.com has a series of articles on some of free-skiing's most stand-out females. ESPN profiled DU alum Keri Herman, who didn't start skiing until she came to DU in 2004. Herman took silver medals in slopestyle at both the 2010 Winter X Games in Aspen and the European X Games in Tignes, France.

(above) USA Hockey had a profile last week on the Shore brothers. Drew & Nick play at DU. Quentin is making up his mind on his collegiate future. Youngest brother Baker, is in the pipeline.

Terry Frei's Blog: College vs. Major Juniors

Terry Frei's Blog looks at the two development choices facing young North American hockey players. Going to college vs. playing hockey semi-professionally up in Canada. Both development routes have supporters and critics, so Terry offers a few of his opinions. He talked to DU hockey players Drew Shore and Beau Bennett and quoted their feedback.

Terry Frei Book Signing Appearances
  • Saturday, December 11, 1-3 pm: Signing, Barnes & Noble, 9370 Sheridan Blvd., Westminster, CO.

Denver Post: DU's Elite Players Adapt To College

From: Denver Post
by Terry Frei

The transitional struggles some of the University of Denver's most touted freshmen go through after moving from the junior ranks to NCAA hockey should add to the appreciation for what Avalanche teenagers Matt Duchene and Ryan O'Reilly have accomplished in the NHL.

That's what hit me Friday, when I watched DU sophomore Drew Shore and freshman Beau Bennett help lead the Pioneers past Lake Superior State on the first night of the Denver Cup Classic [read entire article].

DU 3 - Air Force 1 FINAL

(above) Dusty Jackson celebrates the first goal of the game

The University of Denver hockey team won the Denver Cup for the 15th time on Saturday night. DU defeated Air Force largely through the contributions of Drew Shore, who is establishing himself as an elite forward in the WCHA.

While DU won its sixth straight game, bigger fish remain on the horizon as DU travels to Duluth next weekend to take on the nations #1 team, Minnesota-Duluth.



1st Period
DU Goal - Jackson (PP) - [Makowski, D. Shore]

2nd Period
DU Goal - D. Shore - [Maiani]

3rd Period
AF Goal - Kleisinger
DU Goal - Bennett [Maiani]

Forwards
Jason Zucker - Drew Shore - Luke Salazar
Anthony Maiani - Nick Shore - Beau Bennett
Chris Knowlton - Kyle Ostrow - Dustin Jackson
Shawn Ostrow - Nate Dewhurst

Defensemen
Matt Donovan - Chris Nutini
John Ryder - David Makowski
Paul Phillips - William Wrenn
John Lee

Goaltenders
Sam Brittain - Adam Murray - Josh Rosenholtz

Denver Cup Championship Tonight

Saturday's Games At Magness Arena

DU 3 - Air Force 1 FINAL

Clarkson 2 - Lake Superior State 1 FINAL

Terry Frei's Blog: DU Moves Date Of Denver Cup

Terry Frei talked to George Gwozdecky about moving the Denver Cup to Thanksgiving Weekend. The half empty Magness Arena wasn't exactly a ringing endorsement for the date change. Obviously "Black Friday" shopping and a glut of college football on TV provide some real competition.

I'd expect a better crowd tonight with Air Force rolling into Magness against DU.

Denver Cup: DU 6 - Lake Superior State 3 FINAL

Drew Shore recorded a Hat Trick as the University of Denver rolled to a 6-3 victory on Friday night at Magness Arena. DU will face Air Force on Saturday night. Air Force won 2-1 over Clarkson in the afternoon game.

Denver Post: Profiles David Makowski

(above) David Makowski could of played for the University of Miami last season, but he wanted to play for the hometown Pioneers so he waited patiently in the USHL

From: Denver Post
by Terry Frei


As a youngster in Highlands Ranch, David Makowski set his sights on attending the University of Denver and playing hockey for the Pioneers.

He has fulfilled that dream, but there were detours, including family moves to Southern California and St. Louis, and then a three-season stay in junior hockey after his 2007 graduation from Christian Brothers College High School in St. Louis [read rest of article].

Jesse Martin's Father Suffers Mild Heart Attack

(above) Jesse & Terry Martin last week at Craig Hospital in Denver

From: Denver Post
by Mike Chambers


Mike Chambers of the Denver Post was up in Canada this week to covering Colorado Avalanche in Vancouver and Edmonton. He wrote an article in the Denver Post yesterday that Terry Martin suffered a mild heart attack last week after returning to Edmonton.

Throughout Jesse Martin's injury ordeal, his father Terry was was by his side encouraging his recovery, dealing with the media, passing on thoughts from well-wishers and supporting their family. We pass on our best wishes to Terry and Jesse as they both continue to recover.
"Avalanche center and former University of Denver star Paul Stastny on Wednesday confirmed that Terry Martin, the father of injured Pioneers senior Jesse Martin, suffered a heart attack last weekend in Edmonton, Alberta. Terry Martin underwent surgery to place two stents into arteries and is recovering at his Edmonton home [read rest of article]."

News & Notes From Around PioNation

2012 DU recruit Josah Didier (6'2 200 lbs) looks like he is going to be one heck of a find for the Pioneers. He is tied for third in the USHL for assists by a defenseman. Didier already won a National Championship with the AAA Colorado Thunderbirds as a 16 year-old.
----------
DU players Sam Brittain and David Makowski picked up some WCHA league honors yesterday. Brittain was named WCHA Defensive Player of the Week and Makowski was named Rookie of the Week. For Brittain, its his third WCHA weekly award so far this season.
----------
SB Nation writer Evan Pfaff thinks that the University of Denver should reconsider joining the WAC. He doesn't seem to think the conference will survive.
----------
Speaking of the WAC, the Denver Post has an article about the latest rumors of schools thinking about or declining offers to join the conference. TCU, Seattle, Hawaii and North Texas are all mentioned.
----------
The next shoe to fall could be Utah State. Supposedly they have already been invited to join the Mountain West but declined out of loyalty to the WAC. With Hawaii's impending departure all bets may be off.
----------
Things are not off to a good start for the PioNation basketball program. An 0-4 start isn't the end of the world, but then the team's brand spanking new blog "The Pioneer Post" had to change their name to the "Pioneer Pulse."
----------
Three younger brothers of DU hockey players won Gold Medals last week at the Four Nations Cup for Team USA Under-17s. Supposedly. Seth Jones, the younger brother of Justin Jones, was the best player on the ice all week. Seth Jones is considered to be a potential 2012 NHL first round draft selection. Quentin Shore, the third of four Shore brothers, is reportedly looking at the University of Wisconsin and other schools as well as DU. Dakota Mermis, brother of DU forward Jarrod Mermis, played on the blueline for Team USA and has already committed to DU on 2012.
2011 Recruiting Class
D Scott Mayfield (Youngstown, USHL)
F Zac Larraza (U.S. Under-18)
F Garrett Allen (Fargo, USHL)
D Matt Van Voorhis (U.S. Under-18)
D Joey LaLeggia (Penticton Vees, BCHL)
F Larkin Jacobson (Janesville Jets, NAHL)

2012 Recruiting Class
F Tyler Pham (Colorado Thunderbirds-U18)
D Dakota Mermis (U.S. Under-17)
D Josiah Didier (Cedar Rapids, USHL)
F Daniel Doremus (Sioux Falls, USHL)

Bad Boyz: Two Mercyhurst Hockey Players Busted

(above) Kyle Just "Got Busted"

Erie police have charged two Mercyhurst College freshmen hockey players with sexually assaulting a woman on campus.

Jordan Tibbett and Kyle Just, both 20, were arraigned before Erie 3rd Ward District Judge Tom Carney Tuesday on a felony count of sexual assault.

Erie police accused Tibbett and Just of sexually assaulting a woman, and forcing her to perform a sex act on them, in a Briggs Avenue apartment on the Mercyhurst campus on Nov. 14, according to the criminal complaints filed in the case.

Tibbett and Just, both listed as freshmen at Mercyhurst, were each released on $10,000 unsecured bond [believed to be a Bad Boyz record bail] after their arraignments.

DU Today Blog: DU Football Died 50 Years Ago

(above) DU Today has a feature on the history of DU football

From: DU Today

by Steve Fisher

The DU Bookstore sells a shirt that says, “University of Denver Football — Undefeated Since 1961.” It was 50 years ago this month — on Thanksgiving Day 1960 — that the University of Denver played its last football game.

At the time, no one knew it was the last game, but after much deliberation the University announced its decision to terminate the program the following January. Chancellor Chester Alter noted an annual football deficit of $100,000 as a deciding factor [read rest of article]

Denver Post: Great Brittain's Stats Dominate WCHA

(above) Sam Brittain is the top Freshman goaltender in college hockey

From: Denver Post
by Mike Chambers

Mike Chambers has an article on Great Brittain's goaltending statistics, which are tops among Freshmen and in the Top Ten nationally.

In the same article he also has an update on Jesse Martin who is now undergoing outpatient therapy at Denver's CU Sports Medicine facility.

Finally, look who is #1 & #2 in the WCHA in scoring. None other than Drew Shore and Jason Zucker.

CC Video To Premiere On NHL Network


(above) “Tiger Pride–Eight Decades of Colorado College Hockey” makes its prime-time television premiere on the NHL Network at 5 pm MT Friday, Nov. 26.

Problem: Your local hockey team is in 11th place in the WCHA. Season ticket holders are fleeing like rats on a sinking ship.

Solution:
  • Drop ticket prices
  • Use three Zambonis to clean ice
  • Turn a blind eye marijuana smoking in the dorms
  • Produce a flashy hockey video that ignores 53 years of futility, hire Doc Emrick to do the voiceover and somehow convince the NHL Network to show the video over Thanksgiving

Another WCHA Scary Injury On Saturday Night

(above) St. Cloud forward Travis Novak lay on the ice for 25 minutes in Anchorage on Saturday night with neck pain


From: Anchorage Daily News
by Doyle Woody

A St. Cloud State hockey player injured Saturday night in a seemingly harmless sequence that frequently occurs in the fast, physical sport retained mobility in his limbs, but suffered neck pain that prompted him to be transported to a local hospital, according to officials from his school and UAA.

Travis Novak, a 22-year-old junior at the Minnesota school, lay motionless on the ice at Sullivan Arena at the end of the second period of St. Cloud State's 4-3 Western Collegiate Hockey Association win over the Seawolves.

Novak's head appeared to strike the boards after he pivoted toward the barrier and was rubbed out by UAA defenseman Brad Gorham.

Novak remained down on the ice for about 25 minutes -- he was treated by trainers from both teams and a doctor on hand -- before an emergency medical crew arrived and took him off the ice on a backboard strapped to a gurney.

"He was scared,'' said St. Cloud State coach Bob Motzko. "Lots of emotions going through -- it wasn't good out there.''

The announced crowd of 2,780 stood and clapped as Novak was taken off the rink.

"Please send out some good thoughts,'' said public address announcer Lyle Woods.

The Huskies boarded a bus after the game and went to check on their teammate, who was reportedly taken to Providence Alaska Medical Center.

Late Saturday night, Motzko told St. Cloud Times correspondent Matt Nevala that Novak did not suffer serious injury and had been medically cleared to fly home with the team on its scheduled flight this morning.

Whether Novak would travel today had not been decided, Motzko said.

Novak's injury proved especially chilling given recent events in the WCHA.

University of Denver player Jesse Martin three weeks ago was knocked unconscious in a game and suffered a fractured vertebra that required surgery. He is walking again, though his hockey future is uncertain.

The play that felled Novak, of Lethbridge, Alberta, was innocent by the standards of a sport that features violent collisions at high speeds and is played on a rink surrounded by hard boards and Plexiglass.

Just before the horn blared to end the second period -- the game was tied 2-2 at that point -- Novak gained possession of the puck along the boards in the Huskies' zone. He appeared to pivot toward the boards and dip his head just as Gorham came from behind and made relatively gentle contact.

The move Gorham employed is known in the game as a "rub-out,'' far shy of a body-banging check. The contact appeared to knock Novak, who was close to the boards, into the barrier head-first.

"It was the worst thing you can have in athletics, especially with what the boy (Martin) went through,'' Motzko said.

UAA coach Dave Shyiak said he walked down the hallway that connects the locker rooms for the Seawolves and the visitors to check with Motzko and his staff before the third period.

"Your first thought is for the young man,'' Shyiak said. "You just hope the young man's OK.''

Gorham was not initially penalized on the play. Prior to the start of the third period he was issued a major penalty for checking from behind and a game misconduct, which is an automatic ejection. Gorham, a junior from Anchorage, declined to comment.

St. Cloud State captain Aaron Marvin said the situation was difficult but that he and his teammates carried on because they figured Novak, who Marvin described as "just a great kid,'' would insist they do so.

"It's always tough,'' Marvin said. "It's an accident. No one is trying to hurt anyone, and you hope he's OK.''

The major penalty issued to Gorham was UAA's second in a span of less than three minutes. UAA freshman Matt Bailey received a major penalty and game misconduct for checking from behind.

Those penalties afforded the Huskies a two-man advantage they turned into Jared Festler's go-ahead goal and a subsequent one-man advantage that led to Cam Reid's goal. Reid's goal turned into the game winner after UAA freshman Mark Pustin scored his first career goal, on a power play midway through the period, and the Huskies managed to hold off a Seawolves team that seemed poise to strike for the equalizer.

"You've got to focus,'' Marvin said. "That's what (Novak) would want.''

Photos: Chicago Alums Watch DU Victory

(above) 50 DU alums showed up on Friday night to the Gaslight Bar & Grille in Chicago to watch DU defeat Bemidji State on TV

(left) The Gaslight Bar provided custom cups that will be available for every DU event this year

View Photos Of The Event
Its Gameday .... Saturday's Game Against Bemidji State Will Be Available On PioneerVision .... Go DU.... Congrats to DU Men's Soccer For A Fantastic Season

DU 4 - Bemidji State 2 FINAL

(above) DU rolled to their fourth consecutive WCHA victory

The University of Denver overcame a second period deficit and rolled to a 4-2 victory against Bemidji State on Saturday night in Magness Arena.

Nick Shore playing with a cast on his broken hand scored a decisive late second period goal to tie the game at two. Nick added an assist and was named Star of the Game by the media.

Freshman Sam Brittain is quietly establishing himself as one of the best goaltenders in college hockey. The win moved his season record to 7-3-2.

North Dakota's loss to UNO means DU moved into second place in the WCHA with the victory. Colorado College sits comfortably in 11th place in the WCHA Standings.





1st Period
DU Goal - Makowski (Salazar, D.Shore) PP
Bemidji - Rendle (Walters, Read)
Bemidji -Lowe (Billberg, George) PP

2nd Period
DU Goal - N. Shore (Phillips, Bennett)

3rd Period
DU Goal - Maiani (D. Shore, Bennett)
DU Goal - Zucker (Makowski) ENG

Forwards
Jason Zucker - Drew Shore - Luke Salazar
Anthony Maiani - Nick Shore - Beau Bennett
Chris Knowlton - Kyle Ostrow - Shawn Ostrow
Dan Olszewski - Nate Dewhurst - Dustin Jackson

Defensemen
Matt Donovan - Chris Nutini
John Ryder - David Makowski
Paul Phillips - William Wrenn

Goaltenders
Sam Brittain - Adam Murray - Josh Rosenholtz

Chambers Blog: Martin Playing Basketball

Mike Chambers Blog has a few new entries.

Jesse Martin's recovery has progressed to the point that he's shooting baskets at Craig Hospital.

Chambers called last night's game with Bemidji, "boring." We agree.

Nick Shore is playing hurt for DU, but the team comes first.

DU 3 - Bemidji State 1 FINAL

The University of Denver cruised to a 3-1 victory over Bemidji State on Friday night. The announced crowd was 4,300 but there appeared to be 3,000 empty seats at Magness Arena as DU saw one of its smallest crowds in recent memory.

Both Matt Donovan and Jason Zucker had a goal and an assist and Sam Brittain played another outstanding game in goal.


Live Game Blog With Erich Bacher

Forwards

Jason Zucker - Drew Shore - Luke Salazar
Anthony Maiani - Nick Shore - Beau Bennett
Chris Knowlton - Kyle Ostrow - Shawn Ostrow
Jarrod Mermis - Nate Dewhurst - Dustin Jackson

Defensemen
Matt Donovan - Chris Nutini
John Ryder - David Makowski
Paul Phillips - William Wrenn

Goaltenders
Sam Brittain - Adam Murray - Josh Rosenholtz

DU Gets WACked As Hawaii Bids Aloha

(above) Hawaii bids DU and the WAC conference farewell

New WAC
Louisiana Tech
Idaho
New Mexico State
Utah State
San Jose State
Texas-San Antonio
Texas State
Denver

It was nice while it lasted, but less than three days after DU's pomp and circumstance Press Conference joining the Western Athletic Conference, the best known conference member and easily the league's coolest road-trip is gone.

DU athletic honchos will undoubedly exhale a sigh of relief at the thought not having to pop for thousand dollar airfares and beachside hotel accommodations in Honolulu. But for DU athletes, parents and alums, not to mention bloggers, this sucks.

Hawaii's departure also means the the WAC no longer has "six members that have been in the conference for five consecutive years." In other words, no NCAA Automatic Bid, unless they can obtain a waiver.
After months of anxiety, the University of Hawaii's athletic future suddenly came into focus last night with the stunning revelation that it expects to leave the Western Athletic Conference to join the Mountain West Conference in football and place most of its other sports in the Big West Conference.

UH has been a member of the WAC, the only conference home its football team has had, for 32 years. Talks are still pending, but school officials left little doubt the move will be made for the 2012-13 season.

"We have no reason to believe this is not going to move on a positive trajectory and that we will not have the official announcement (of agreement)," an exultant UH President M.R.C. Greenwood said during an evening news conference at Bachman Hall.

The presidents of the Mountain West Conference member schools met yesterday by conference call and an MWC spokesman told the Star-Advertiser, "The Mountain West Conference Board of Directors has authorized Commissioner Craig Thompson to begin discussions with the University of Hawaii regarding possible membership in the sport of football only."

Video Highlights Of DU @ UCSB Soccer


(above)The DU Men's soccer team was under siege last night, outshot 31-4 by Cal-Santa Barbara in the NCAA Tournament, but the Pioneers gamely hung on, until a Golden Goal was scored in double overtime

Denver Post Profiles The Goal Czar

(above) The ink keeps flowing for DU fan-favorite Luke Salazar "The Goal Czar"

from: Denver Post
by Mike Chambers

As a freshman in 2008-09, Luke Salazar tied big-name upperclassmen Rhett Rakhshani and Tyler Ruegsegger with a team-leading 15 goals. In his second year with the University of Denver, however, Salazar went from a regular scorer to a usual scratch.

After failing to produce a goal in his first 10 games last season, the 5-foot-7, 155-pound Legacy High School graduate was scratched. He played in only seven of the next 31 games and finished with one goal [read rest of article].

Newest Recruit Larkin Jacobson Has NHL Ties

(left) Larkin Jacobson signed a Letter of Intent with DU

Larkin Jacobson (6'2 200 lbs.) of the Janesville Jets (NAHL) has signed a letter of intent to play for the University of Denver next season. Larkin's step-father is two time Stanley Cup winning forward Ruslan Fedotenko, who currently plays for the NY Rangers.

Larkin is the first Jets player to sign with a WCHA team. Former Janesville , Wisconsin native Dan Olszewski is a freshman for the Pioneers this season after playing with the St. Louis Bandits of the NAHL for two seasons.

In 19 NAHL games this season, Larkin has scored seven goals and has seven assists for a total of 14 points. Larkin and the Jets next play on Wednesday, Nov. 24, when they host the Coulee Region Chill, with a 7 p.m. start at the Janesville Ice Skating Center.

“This is what our league and our organization is all about. Moving kids along and giving them the chance to play at the next level,” Jets coach Dane Litke. “Denver really liked Larkin’s size and work ethic. They compared him to a former player that is now getting looks by the NHL and started out in our league.

Larkin's older brother Derek is a linemate on the Jets. The brothers came to Janesville from the Pittsburgh Hornets program, where they had played together for the past three seasons.

The brothers’ transition has also been helped by the input of their stepfather, New York Rangers forward Ruslan Fedontenko.

“Ruslan has always told us to play as long as we want, and that he’ll support us on whatever we want to do,” Derek said. “If we have a question, he’s not afraid to tell it like it is.”

Added Litke: “I’m sure (Ruslan) has been a big influence on them. They’ve been around the National Hockey League, and there’s no better person to ask questions of than an NHL player. I know he helps them out whenever he gets a chance.”

Another advantage was training with Fedotenko during the summers.

“He really puts us to work,” Larkin said. “He got us in the best shape we’ve been in.”

The brothers’ 2009 summer also included a visit from someone every hockey fan is familiar: a guy named Stanley.

“We had the Stanley Cup for a day,” Derek said. “We took it to Door County (Wisconsin). Our family has a place we stay in the summer. We had some friends meet us up there to enjoy it with us.”

That perk came as a result of the Penguins’ Finals (Fedotenko also was a member of Tampa Bay’s Cup-winning team in 2004).
2011 Recruiting Class
D Scott Mayfield (Youngstown, USHL)
F Zac Larraza (U.S. Under-18)
F Garrett Allen (Fargo, USHL)
D Matt Van Voorhis (U.S. Under-18)
D Joey LaLeggia (Penticton Vees, BCHL)
F Larkin Jacobson (Janesville Jets, NAHL)

2012 Recruiting Class
F Tyler Pham (Colorado Thunderbirds-U18)
D Dakota Mermis (U.S. Under-17)
D Josiah Didier (Cedar Rapids, USHL)
F Daniel Doremus (Sioux Falls, USHL)

Chicago Alumni To Watch DU Hockey Tonight

Gaslight Bar & Grille

2426 N Racine Ave (Racine & Montana - one block north of Fullerton)
2 Blocks East of CTA Brown/Red, and 76 Bus, Street Parking

The official Chicago Alumni Chapter - alumni/student headquarters in Chicago
The venue has a University of Denver flag hanging, personalized DU Beer Mugs
and will be broadcasting every DU sporting event including Pioneer Vision events


Friday, November 19, 2010
DU Hockey vs. Bemidji State
LIVE on Fox Sports Net Rocky Mountain
8:00 pm - 11:30 pm (Game at 8:30 pm)

(above) Click on Facebook photo above to get more details

DU Soccer Loses 1-0 In 2nd Overtime



The DU Mens Soccer team lost a bitter NCAA Tournament game 1-0 in the 2nd Overtime to Cal-Santa Barbara on Thursday night. Despite being outshot 31-4 and never even receiving a corner kick, the Pioneers hung on desperately hoping to force the game to Penalty Kicks. The Pioneers came within 7 minutes of perhaps pulling off a stunning upset, but Cal-Santa Barbara was too strong.

UCSB Sophomore Waid Ibrahim scored in the 105th minute, propelling UC Santa Barbara (14-4-3) to the victory over Denver (9-7-4) at Meredith Field at Harder Stadium.

The game-winning play began when junior Danny Barrera’s pass up top was deflected by a Denver defender to Ibrahim, who scored with a shot from 16 yards out.

CSU 77 - DU 66 Men's Basketball

Colorado State University men's basketball team rallied from an early nine-point deficit to defeat the University of Denver 77-66 at Magness Arena on Thursday night, snapping the Pioneers' 15-game homecourt winning streak.

The Rams (2-0), down 11-2 early, used a 14-4 run midway through the first half to take their first lead. They were up 38-34 at halftime and 55-41 with 11:20 remaining in the game.

Chambers Blog: DU's Injured Players

Mike Chamber's Blog has updates on three of DU's four injured players. Jesse Martin wasn't mentioned, but Chambers has reports on Dusty Jackson, John Lee and Paul Phillips.

You have to love this exchange between Gwozdecky and Chambers.

So, Mr. Gwozdecky, is Mr. Jackson ready to play?

“No,” Coach George said. “When you’re not practicing and you haven’t played in a year and a third, and then all of a sudden you finally get cleared to practice full, and then you say, ‘Is he ready to play?’ No.”

Um, OK, so … will Jackson be in the lineup Friday?

“There’s a good chance,” Gwoz said.

I was glad to get that settled.

College Hockey News Profiles The Goal Czar

(above) Luke Salazar is featured on College Hockey News today

Standing just 5-foot-7 and 150 lbs., Denver Pioneers junior Luke Salazar is the smallest player on the team's roster. But his play is perhaps the biggest reason why DU enters this weekend's series against Bemidji State in fourth place in the WCHA [read rest of article].

Peter Mannino's 2010-11 Goalie Mask

(above) DU Alum Peter Mannino's 2010-11 Atlanta Thashers mask once again features Boone

(left) Peter Mannino was in goal last night for the AHL Chicago Wolves in Houston under Boone's watchful gaze

Airbrush Artist and Custom Mask Painter David Gunnarsson has once again incorporated Boone onto Peter Mannino's goalie mask.

Mannino's speed-filled Atlanta Thrashers mask design features a monster style Thrasher bird on one side. On the other side a graphic design in action with the Atlanta logo with cool 3-D effects. And of course the Boone mascot shows up, just like on his previous masks.

Fired Up DU Men's Soccer Team Takes On UCSB

(above) DU goalkeeper Joe Willis is 6'5


From: PresidioSports.com
by Barry Punzal


The Mountain Pacific Sports Federation isn’t considered one of the power conferences in men’s college soccer, but it has more teams in this year’s NCAA Tournament than any conference in the west.

Three teams from the MPSF made the 48-team tournament field, bettering the Pac-10 (2), West Coast Conference (1) and Big West (1).

Denver, the MPSF regular-season champion, received an at-large berth in the tournament and takes on UCSB (13-4-3) in a first-round match Thursday at 7 p.m. at Harder Stadium. DU will have their work cut out for them as UCSB draws the largest crowds in D-1 soccer. The winner travels to sixth-seeded Cal for the second round on Sunday.

“I don’t think we’re shocked, we’re excited,” Denver coach Bobby Muuss said about making the NCAAs for the second time in three years.

UCSB is making its ninth straight NCAA Tournament appearance.

The Pioneers (9-6-4) come to Santa Barbara full of confidence, despite losing 3-1 in the semifinals of the MPSF Tournament to host Sacramento State.

“It was a bad day to have a bad day,” Muuss said of the loss. “We were left in limbo for three days not knowing if we’d have the opportunity to train again and play in the NCAA Tournament. When our name went on the board, the guys were back in game mode again. They were excited. The last couple of days of training have been excellent. There’s a lot of energy and guys are buzzing around.”

Denver is joined by Sacramento State (10-4-7, the MPSF tournament champion) and New Mexico (9-5-5) in the NCAAs, the first time the conference has had three teams in the tourney.

Muuss said the credit for the MPSF’s big year goes to the conference coaches.

“Our conference top to bottom did a great job scheduling. It’s a testament to the coaching staffs and the teams,” he said.

The Pioneers’ non-conference schedule included matches against nationally ranked teams like Georgetown, Penn State, Cal — all in the NCAA Tournament — and Portland. That helped them get an RPI of 42.

Denver beat Georgetown and played Cal to a tie.

“They got three big-time players,” UCSB coach Tim Vom Steeg said of the Pioneers, citing forwards Jarod Stigall (9 goals, 8 assists) and Kellan Christensen (5 goals, 3 assists) and outside midfielder Alex Tarnoczi (3 goals, 6 assists).

Gaucho forward Sam Garza played with several of the Denver players two years ago when he was the MPSF Newcomer of the Year for the Pioneers.

“Garza rates (Stigall) him as their best player,” said Vom Steeg.

Goalkeeper Joe Willis is a big reason for Denver’s success. He has a 0.70 goals-against average.

“They have a 6-5 goalie who is going to sign a contract with a team in England. He makes the goal look like a hockey net. Obviously, he can change the game.”

The Gauchos have faced several hot goalkeepers this year.

“I feel like we’re going to need our 25 shots and get 2-3 goals no matter who’s in goal,” Vom Steeg said

“This is a good match-up for us,” he added, “because it’s a team that will want to play.”

DU Students: Magness Arena-Thursday Nite B There

(above) DU wants to pack the Student Section on Thursday night at Magness Arena

The University of Denver Men's Basketball team kicks off the 2010-11 home opener Thursday night when the Colorado State Rams visit Magness Arena. DU coach Joe Scott wants to see Magness Arena hopping with students hanging on every fast break and big shot produced by the Pioneers.

Come out to Magness Arena on Thursday night and Go Crazy.

Bad Boyz Video: Stop Sign Bandit Trial


(above) Live video of Tony Mosey's trial in St. Cloud

(left) St. Cloud State hockey player Tony Mosey, "The Stop Sign Bandit," was nabbed by police back in September

The last time we checked in on the Stop Sign Bandit, Tony Mosey, he was charged with a felony for removing a stop sign in St. Cloud, Minnesota. Now it turns out that prior to being arrested that night he was trampling the roofs of parked cars. Luckily, CSI-St. Cloud was able to crack the case wide open thanks to a shoe print left at the scene of the crime.

From: St. Cloud Times

St. Cloud State University hockey player Tony Mosey is facing a felony charge in Stearns County District Court after being accused of walking on a parked car, caving in its roof.

Mosey, 22, is charged with felony damage to property because the damage to the vehicle reduced its value by more than $1,000. Mosey made his first court appearance on the charge Monday. A court complaint charging Mosey accuses him of causing about $3,500 damage to a 1997 Buick LeSabre that had its "entire roof caved in."

That complaint indicates that the damage happened in the early hours of Sept. 20 in the 300 block of Fourth Avenue South. A man who had been on an apartment balcony in that area saw three men walking from the downtown area at about 1:25 a.m., according to court records. The witness told police that only one of the men walked onto the Buick.

The witness then saw the same man walk over to a second vehicle. Although his vision from the balcony was partially blocked, the witness told police that the same man likely walked onto and over the second vehicle, a Toyota Camry. Police found a footprint on the dusty roof of the Camry, according to the complaint, and located the three men that the witness reported seeing.

The three men showed police the bottoms of their shoes, and the print on the Camry's roof matched the sole pattern of Mosey's shoes, according to the criminal complaint.

Mosey is scheduled to be back in court Jan. 7 for his next hearing on the charge.

Tyler Bozak Twitters LetsGoDU

Former University of Denver star Tyler Bozak may be a first line center in the NHL these days, but he's been tweeting about Jesse Martin a lot lately. Like everybody else, Bozak was psyched to see Jesse Martin walk into the Press Conference at Craig Hospital yesterday.

You can follow Bozak's exploits in the NHL by signing up for his Twitter account Bozie42.

Denver Post: Messier Helmet Protects Players

(above) Mark Messier displays the M11 hockey helmet that is designed to reduce concussions

From: Denver Post
by Adrian Dater

The way Mary-Kay Messier sees it, for too long the only criteria for whether a helmet deserved to be worn by NHL players was "how it made them look in the mirror."

"And I think that's still the case with a lot of players at the (NHL) level," said Messier, the sister of Hall of Famer Mark Messier and former DU Captain Paul Messier. "But we're trying to educate and change all that." [read entire article]

DU Women's Hoops Shock Colorado

Led by double digit scoring from two Texans, Britteni Rice & Kaetlyn Murdoch, the University of Denver women's basketball team outclassed the University of Colorado Buffaloes, 70-69 on Tuesday night in Magness Arena.

The game began on a somber note as both teams and fans shared a moment of silence with DU head coach Erik Johnson and his family in honor of their son Davis James Johnson who passed away in May. However, after tears and hugs, the night ended on a high as the Pioneers beat the Buffalos and earned their first win of this early 2010-11 season [read entire article].

Video: Jesse Martin Strides Into Press Conference


(above) Channel 9 Newscast


(above) DU Today YouTube

DU Recruit Scott Mayfield Receives NHL Props

(left) Scott Mayfield's stock is on the rise with NHL scouts

The Intenational Scouting Service has ranked 2011 DU recruit Scott Mayfield the #22 best North American prospect for next summer's NHL Draft.

Scott Mayfield, D, Youngstown Phantoms
"The big blueliner has been turning heads in every rink he has played in so far this year. A hulking strong defender Mayfield moves extremely well and already has the look of a top level pro. Mayfield will represent the USHL at the World Junior A Challenge in Penticton, BC and will gain even more exposure to NHL scouts. His ability to play in all ends of the rink and be an impact player in all situations will certainly move his name way up the draft list. Few players have the maturity and ability to adapt to the different styles and emotions that a game takes on, Mayfield can without missing a beat. With Mayfield already looking so strong the question will be how much better can he get, but as far as this year’s prospects go there are few players that are this ready for the NHL already."

Jesse Martin News Conference At 2 PM

University of Denver hockey player Jesse Martin will speak to the media during a 2 p.m. news conference on Tuesday at Craig Hospital. He arrived at Craig Hospital on Monday, Nov. 15 to continue his rehabilitation. Jesse's father, Terry Martin, and University of Denver head hockey coach George Gwozdecky will also take part in the news conference.

Denver Post Profiles Jason Zucker

Mike Chambers of the Denver Post calls forward Jason Zucker, "DU's best freshman forward since Paul Stastny." High praise indeed.

The exciting thing for DU fans is that Zucker is only going to get better as the season progresses. His leadership, energy and drive are infectious [read the entire article].

The Pioneer Post: New DU Basketball Blog

(above) The Pioneer Post is covers the DU Basketball Program

Why is an alumus of the University of Southern California and Notre Dame Law School, erstwhile journalist, now a lawyer with a blogging habit, deciding to randomly devote a sizable portion of his free time and energy and blog space to covering University of Denver basketball?

Read The Pioneer Post to find out.

Veteran blogger Brendan Loy is undertaking the daunting task of blogging about the DU basketball program. The Pioneer Post is everything LetsGoDU is not. Loy has Journalism & Law degrees, writes very well and posts long articulate articles.

Brendan tells us why he's doing it and what his plans are in his introductory article. His subsequent postings detail the agony of DU's 0-3 start to the season, including losses to UC-Santa Barbara, Oregon and North Dakota State last weekend.