Breaking News: Jackson To Play One More Season

The University of Denver's official hockey Twitter account announced that redshirt Senior forward Dustin Jackson returning to DU next season.  Jackson had "officially" retired and even gave a farewell speech at Senior Night last month, now will be coming back to play for DU.

It was no secret that the DU coaching staff really wanted Dustin back on the team next year because of his size, versatility and experience.  Jackson had made it equally clear that be wanted to move on with his newly minted DU diploma and get into the construction business in Denver.

It appears for now at least, that he will be working towards an MBA at DU next year.

27 comments:

Aluuum said...

Dustin brings a capability that is sorely lacking on the team--a big strong banger at the wing position. We have many skill players at line play but need to compliment them with a couple of Jacksons. I hope the rumor is true.

Anonymous said...

Its all true. Confirmed on DU Hockey Twitter feed.

Anonymous said...

wow...he will be entering that whole Ken MacArthur, Anders Bjork, Brent Cary and Erik Andersson club of playing at the age of 25.

A pretty big boost to DU's depth for next season.

du78 said...

Excellent for DU. Also Nolan Zajac, thr youngest of DU alum Tom's four sons has committed to play D at DU. Article doesn't say what year he is coming in but my guess is 2012.

http://www.ushl.com/news/story.cfm?id=4069

Anonymous said...

No mention of Nolan Zajac yet on here? Wasn't there a prize involved for whomever was first to call DU's newest recruit? Someone brought up Zajac and was dismissed outright...seems that person knows a thing or 2 that the others did not. jus sayin..

Anonymous said...

I would suspect that Zajac is coming this year. DU is still a d-man short for next season's roster, I believe.

du78 said...

Heisenberg has him listed as 2012.

Anonymous said...

Maybe Wade Bennett will serve as DU's 8th defenseman?

Anonymous said...

OK...with Jackson returning, DU now has a full roster of forwards and d-men once you move WB from forward to defense. The only piece remaining would be a 3rd goalie.

Aluuum said...

The third goolie is solved. D.G. has volunteered

du78 said...

Cedar Rapids website confirms that Nolan Zajac will be coming in 2012.

http://www.ridertownusa.com/news/v/zajac-commits-to-the-university-of-denver/475/

dggoddard said...

I respectfully withdraw my name from consideration for the 3rd goaltender position despite the fact that I have four years of eligibility remaining.

miller said...

DG, we have checked with Gwoz and he wants in that third goalie position. The Norgwegian nightmare's helmet is available. We expect to see you at the end of the bench this year!

Aluuum said...

Not only Gwoz. but the entire team has voted D.G.in. He has no choice. We WILL see him siting at the end of the bench this season

Anonymous said...

Come on, DG!!

You would most definitely have 4 years of eligibility -- unless you have played any organized hockey past the age of 21. There is some weird NCAA rule in regards to ice hockey, which states pretty much that a player has to be 21 or younger as a freshman or loses a year of eligibility for each year they are older (if you are 22, you get 3 years and if you are 23, you get 2 years, etc...). However, if you have not played any organized hockey past the age of 21, you can retain all 4 years. Anders Bjork's brother went to Bemidji as a 23 year old (I believe) and had like two years of eligibility, but only used one.

Besides, I've always wanted to see a DU player wear #57...

dggoddard said...

I agree. Someone on the team needs to step up and request #57.

Talk about being an immediate fan favorite.

Imaws Kcup said...

Obviously it's great to get Dusty back when we thought he was gone. He brings a lot to the table (size, maturity, leadership, experience, etc.).

Also, I can't help but wonder, why would a player who made up his mind to leave reverse his decision and decide to come back? Free education? Sure. But I think there is more to it. There has to be something special in that locker room for him to come back. Makes me optimistic that the intangibles are there to complete the puzzle that has been unfinished the last several seasons. At least Dusty sees them and he has a lot more clarity than I ever will.

dggoddard said...

Jackson value is going to be elevated in the WCHA & NCAA playoffs when the games become very physical and one goal games are the norm.

DU really wanted him back in a big way.

Imaws Kcup said...

I was just looking at our forward depth quickly (please correct any mistakes). I have the following lines:

Zucker/D. Shore/Salazar
B. Bennett/N. Shore/Mermis
Ostrow/Jackson/Knowlton
Doremus/Dewhurst/Larraza

Subs: Jacobson, W. Bennett, Tabrum, Olszewski

The combos aren't my predictions of what will ultimately happen, but I think it illustrates that we have probably the most depth in our scoring lines in a long time. Any combos that Gwoz chooses will produce.

If B. Bennett improves his game like D. Shore last year and becomes a legitimate 1st round pick...a line of Zucker/D. Shore and B. Bennett would be the best line in college hockey. Holy shit that is exciting to imagine.

Anonymous said...

Alternative captains were also announced on DU hockey twitter today: Drew Shore, Lee, Phillips, and Jackson. Captain hasn't been announced yet but my guess is that it will be Luke Salazar

Carle Jersey said...

unleash the mermis!

miller said...

unleash the mermis indeed!!!!

is it October Auntie Em????

Anonymous said...

Kcup,

A junior, and two sophomores.....the best line in college hockey?....seriously are you a complete idiot. Take off your crimson glasses.

Imaws Kcup said...

9:25. If you disagree, offer an alternative. Don't just call me an idiot. If I had to guess, I'd say you are either a devout republican or democrat.

I qualified by saying - if Bennett improves like Shore did. Shore improved by 27 points between seasons. Adding 27 points to Bennett equals 52 points. Increasing Shore and Zucker by 27% (which is what the Duluth first line improved by last year from the previous year on average and not illogical considering their talent) gives them 59 and 57 points, respectively. The total equals 168 points.

Last year the Duluth line had 171 points. IMO, they were the best line in college hockey and won the national championship. I believe the only line higher point total was Miami with 182 points (correct me if I'm wrong?). But they play in the CCHA where they have less depth and can rack up points against the lesser teams. Is anyone from the Duluth line (Connellys and Fontaine) a 1st or 2nd rounder....i really don't know? Bennett, Zucker and Shore are all in the 1st or 2nd rounders and theoretically have more potential upside and should improve more year-by-year.

Tell me, what basis do you have for calling me an idiot besides arbitrarily saying they are "too young"? I might be wrong, but this line could dominate college hockey and nobody should be surprised.

And really, very highly doubtful that Gwoz will play them together, let alone for the entire season so it will be a moot point. It was just an exciting thought.

Anonymous said...

@ imaws....

Mid to upper 50 points for those guys are right on target...and no need to have to prove that obvious point to some other anonymous twit....

dggoddard said...

Zucker, Bennett and both Shore brothers will most likely be on the first power play unit with Makowski or LaLeggia. That will be fun to watch.

I see Larraza (6'2), Jackson (6'3) and Doremus (6'1) playing together on the third line, Very big boys.

Larazza & Doremus will also probably see minutes on the top two lines at some point.

Anonymous said...

Man; Jackson should be a wrecking machine out there. I thought LAST year he was physical...but OMG - can you imagine how he's going to approach the North Dakota series? LOL he's a big dude, and I think being set back a couple years has really lit a fire under his bum....and you saw it last year; but he should be outrageous this year! Look the heck out