Denver Post Coverage of Montgomery Hiring

Stastny Backed Appert 

Avalanche center Paul Stastny, a former University of Denver star who helped lead the Pioneers to the 2005 NCAA title as a freshman, was hoping Seth Appert would succeed longtime DU coach George Gwozdecky. Stastny even campaigned for it, urging the school to go with the man who first brought him to Denver [read entire article].

Kizla: Gwozdecky Should Still Be Coach 

For starters, let's welcome Jim Montgomery to what should be the coolest sports gig in town: University of Denver hockey coach.

Do not mess it up [read entire article].

DU To Announce Jim Montgomery As Coach

The University of Denver has scheduled a press conference on Monday, April 15 at 11 AM MT to introduce the DU’s eighth hockey coach.

The Denver Post has announced today that Jim Montgomery has been hired to succeed George Gwozdecky as the University of Denver's hockey coach, and the former All-American from Maine and NHL player will be introduced Monday, according to multiple sources [read entire article]. 

Earlier Saturday the Denver Post announced that former University of Denver assistant hockey coach Seth Appert signed an eight-year extension with Ressealear to effectively take his name out of list of finalists to coach at DU [read entire article]. 

Seth Appert Faces Mile High Dilemma

(above) Seth Appert is a finalist for the DU ice hockey coaching position

From: The Troy Record

by Ed Weaver

Seth Appert has long considered the head hockey coaching position at the University of Denver a “dream job.” Same could be said about the same position at Ferris State, Appert’s alma mater, it should be added.

Appert, though, interviewed for the open job at Denver earlier this week.

Being named head coach at Denver to replace his mentor, George Gwozdecky, after Gwozdecky retired is one thing. Replacing Gwozdecky after he was summarily fired by Denver’s athletic director Peg Bradley-Doppes could be quite another matter [read entire article].

Denver Post: Two New Coaching Finalists Revealed

From: Denver Post

by Mike Chambers

The University of Denver has tentative plans to hire a new hockey coach over the weekend and make the announcement early next week, a school source familiar with the search said Thursday.

The finalists to succeed George Gwozdecky are Seth Appert, a former DU assistant under Gwozdecky and the current head coach at Rensselear; Derek Lalonde, who succeeded Appert at DU before becoming the head coach of the Green Bay Gamblers of the U.S. Hockey League (junior-A amateur); Jim Montgomery, a former Maine star and NHL player who is head coach and general manager of the USHL's Dubuque Fighting Saints; and Boston College associate head coach Greg Brown [read entire article].

CHN: DU Is Interviewing Coaching Candidates

From: CollegeHockeyNews.com

by Adam Wodon

Denver is conducting interviews this week with the hopes of picking a new coach by next week, CollegeHockeyNews.com has learned.

Denver needs to replace George Gwozdecky, its coach of 19 years, who was fired last week.

Current RPI coach Seth Appert, and Derek Lalonde, head coach of the USHL's Green Bay Gamblers, will be in Denver this week for interviews, according to sources. Both Appert and Lalonde are former Denver assistant coaches. [read entire article].

Twitter: Here Come The Gophers

Twitter: PioNation Heads To DU Pro Camp

DU hockey professional alumni expected to participate in this year's pro camp are Paul Stastny (Colorado Avalanche), Tyler Bozak (Toronto Maple Leafs), Brett Skinner, Gabe Gauthier, Luke Fulghum, Aaron MacKenzie, J.P. Testwuide, Patrick Mullen, Geoff Paukovich, Drew Shore, Anthony Maiani, John Ryder and Dustin Jackson. Former Pioneer Stephen Cunningham and local goaltender Casey Sherwood will also participate in the camp. 

Other professional players expected attend the camp include David Jones (Colorado Avalanche), Curtis McElhinney (Columbus Blue Jackets), Kyle Quincey (Detroit Red Wings), Garnet Exelby (Boston Bruins ) and Ben Guite. Former Colorado College goaltender Richard Bachman (Dallas Stars) could also attend the camp.

DU Today Looks At Gwozdecky's Coaching Protoges

(above) George Gwozdecky talks about his former players and coaches with DU Today

Read Entire Article

FORMER ASSISTANTS
Seth Appert, head coach, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Enrico Blasi, head coach, Miami-Ohio
Bob Motzko, head coach, St. Cloud State
Bob Prier, head coach, Princeton
Joe Piscotty, director of video scouting, Anaheim Ducks, NHL
Greg Drechsel, scout, Columbus Blue Jackets, NHL
Matt Cady, director of hockey operations, Miami-Ohio
Drew Famulak, associate head coach, Ferris State
Chris LaPerle, assistant coach, McGill University (CAN)
Steven Palmer, assistant coach, Muskegon Lumberjacks, USHL
Michael Zucker, assistant coach, Omaha Lancers, USHL
Derek Lalonde, head coach, Green Bay Gamblers, USHL
Mike Mudd, general manager, Worcester Sharks, AHL

FORMER PLAYERS
Chris Bergeron, head coach, Bowling Green
Nick Larson, head coach, Colorado RoughRiders
Scott McConnell, head coach, Chicago Steel, USHL
Angelo Ricci, director/head coach, Colorado Thunderbirds
Matt Laatsch, scout, Anaheim Ducks, NHL
Mike Corbett, assistant coach, US Air Force Academy
Brian Gifford, assistant coach, Colorado Thunderbirds
Jason Grahame, assistant coach, Rocky Mountain RoughRiders
Ryan Hacker, head coach, Sartell-St. Stephen (MN.) High School
Gavin Morgan, assistant coach, University of Alabama-Huntsville
Barry Schutte, assistant coach, Bowling Green
Bryan Vines, assistant coach, RPI

News & Notes From Around PioNation

Mike Chambers Blog reported last week that DU will once again host a Pro Camp, Aug. 22-26 at Magness Arena & Joy Burns Arena. DU’s assistant coaches run drills for the professional hockey players. Afterwards the coaches leave and current Pioneers join the pros for a non-contact, no-referee scrimmage. The camp is open to the public and free.

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Former Pioneer Brock Trotter's career has had its share of twists and turns, but he now has a shot to make the Montreal Canadiens NHL roster.  SB Nation has a pretty interesting article about where things stand for Trotter.

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DU Alum Bryan Vines begins his second season as an assistant coach at RPI under former Pioneer assistant Seth Appert.  The RPI Website has Bryan's bio.

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Alum Nate Rohnert, who played for the University of Denver men's basketball team from 2006-10, will play for Denain ASC Voltaire in France this season.

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DU soccer alum and goaltender for D.C. United, Joe Willis, was named Rookie of the Week by Soccer by Ives Blog.

News & Notes From Around PioNation

Rough weekend for former University of Denver assistant coach Seth Appert. His RPI squad was upset in the first round of the ECAC playoffs by last place Colgate and RPI dropped out of the Top 15 in the Pairwise. This is the second year in a row that RPI has exited in the first round of the ECAC playoffs, despite win totals of 18 games in 2009-10 and 20 games this season.

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Denver 2011 recruit Matt Tabrum was interviewed by Omaha.com about the trade that sent him from USHL Sioux Falls to Omaha earlier this season.  Tabrum grew up playing hockey in Colorado Springs and will enroll at DU in the Fall.

2011 Recruiting Class

D Scott Mayfield (Youngstown, USHL)
F Zac Larraza (U.S. Under-18)
F Garrett Allen (Fargo, USHL)
D Joey LaLeggia (Penticton Vees, BCHL)
F Larkin Jacobson (Janesville Jets, NAHL)
D-F Wade Bennett (Wichita Falls, NAHL)
F Matt Tabrum (Omaha, USHL)

2012 Recruiting Class
D Matt Van Voorhis (U.S. Under-18)
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)

News & Notes From Around PioNation

One can't help but notice that while Coach Gwozdecky is trying to renegotiate his current contract with DU, his two proteges signed contract extensions with their respective schools. Enrico Blasi at Miami University and Seth Appert at RPI. And one of Enrico's assistants at Miami just named the head coach at Western Michigan. The family tree is growing.

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More post season honors for DU skiers. Senior Nordic skier Antje Maempel, and sophomore alpine skiers Leif Kristian Haugen and Lindsay Cone were named Collegiate Skiers of the Year by Ski Racing magazine. DU skiers swept three of the four awards. Maempel, who won the NCAA individual titles in both the classical and freestyle races for the second consecutive year, was named Women’s Nordic Collegiate Skier of the Year. Haugen, who won the 2010 NCAA individual title in men’s giant slalom, was named Men's Collegiate Alpine Skier of the Year. Haugen represented Norway at the Vancouver Olympic Games, finishing 28th in giant slalom. Cone won the Women's Collegiate Skier of the Year award after finishing second in both slalom and giant slalom at the NCAA Championships, earning All-American First Team honors in both events.

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Goaltender Marc Cheverie earned his second consecutive Most Valuable Player honor, while senior captain Rhett Rakhshani was named Most Inspirational Player as the University of Denver celebrated its 54th Annual Hockey Awards Evening at the Cable Center. Matt Donovan earned the Barry Sharp Memorial Award as top freshman, while Nate Dewhurst and Chris Nutini shared the Murray Armstrong Award as most improved players. Matt Glasser earned the Dr. Ken Bredesen Award for sportsmanship and shared the Dr. Art Mason Award for top scholar-athlete with Tyler Ruegsegger. Barandon Vossberg earned the Bob Martin Memorial Award for community service for the fourth consecutive season.

News & Notes From Around PioNation

(above) DU recruit Jason Zucker has had a sensational tournament in Belarus

Rensselaer has given coach Seth Appert a two-year contract extension, the school announced Wednesday. Appert’s deal now runs through the 2013-14 season. Appert was formerly an assistant coach at DU. The Athletic Director at RPI is Jim Knowlton, the father of DU hockey player Chris Knowlton.

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Incoming DU recruit David Makowski was named a USHL first team All-Star. The 20-year-old native of Wildwood, Missouri was named the USHL Defenseman of the Year. He led all League defensemen with 18 goals and tied for second with 41 points (18g, 23a). He tied for the lead among League defenseman with nine power play goals and three shorthanded goals. He was an All-USHL Second Team selection a year ago.

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The USA Under-18 Team will play Sweden on Friday at 10 AM MT for the gold medal at the World Under-18 Championships. Incoming DU recruits Jason Zucker and Nick Shore have had a great tournament thus far. Playing together on the USA first line, Shore has 3 goals and 6 assists while fellow DU recruit Jason Zucker has 4 goals and 2 assists. Shore's 9 points tie him for the team lead. Sweden defeated the USA 4-2 last week.

DU Alum Leaving RPI To Return To Denver

(left) Shawn Kurulak played at DU from 1996-99

From: Troy Record
by Ed Weaver

The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s hockey family has lost a key member, as assistant coach Shawn Kurulak has resigned.

The former University of Denver defenseman and assistant coach is returning to the Denver area to spend more time with his family.

While that clichéd phrase is often a catch-all excuse to cover the true reason(s) a coach or player leaves a program, it’s totally accurate for Kurulak.

“It’s strictly a family decision,” he said on Wednesday. “I need to be with them more than I have been. I love this place and it’s been a great three years of my life but this is just something I need to do for my family.”

“Our profession keeps us away from home a lot,” RPI head coach and former DU assistant coach Seth Appert said. “Shawn wants to put his young family first.

“We will miss him,” Appert said of Kurulak. “He’s done a very good job here and I appreciate everything he’s done for RPI hockey.”

Appert said RPI players will miss Kurulak a great deal.

“He had a good balance of being tough on them and still being their buddy,” he said.

“Obviously, it was very difficult to tell the guys,” he said. “It was very emotional.”

Rensselaer has not officially announced Kurulak’s resignation and Appert said there are dozens of applicants for the vacated position.

“We wanted to tell all our upperclassmen, all our incoming freshman and all our recruits personally before it was on the internet,” Appert said.

And coaching changes, even among assistants, can often cause players currently being recruited to feel uneasy.

Kurulak and fellow assistant Jim Montgomery played big parts in RPI’s recruitment of players in all four current classes.

Kurulak’s immediate plans include hockey only at the youth level in the Denver area.

“I don’t want to say I’m out of (college) hockey for good,” he said. “I just need to do something else right now.”

A four-year letterwinner on the blueline for the Pioneers, Kurulak wore the alternate captain's "A" for three seasons. A three-time WCHA All-Academic selection, he helped the team to the league championship as a senior. In 131 career games, he had 41 points (7 goals, 34 assists) and 268 penalty minutes. He also represented the WCHA on an all-star team that traveled to Switzerland for an international tournament in 1998.

News & Notes From Around Pioneer Nation

Former DU announcer Norm Jones will no longer call Colorado Avalanche radio broadcasts.

Former DU Captain Brian Vines is leaving the Miami University Redhawks to join former DU assistant Seth Appert at RPI. Vines a former defenseman for the University of Denver served as a volunteer assistant coach for the RedHawk staff for the 2008-09 season. Vines will replace another former Pioneer, Shawn Kurulak who resigned as an RPI assistant coach in order to move back to Denver and pursue business interests not related to hockey.

Former DU star Tyler Bozak will have to battle Christian Hanson and Andre Deveaux for fourth line duties on the Toronto Maple Leafs this preseason.

Hockey's Future ripped incoming Freshman Drew Shore in this scouting analysis.

Phillips Nets Game Winning Goal Against Swiss

(left) DU recruit Paul Phillips netted the biggest goal of his career on Saturday for Team USA

From: USA Hockey.com

DU 2009 recruit Paul Phillips (Darien, Ill.) tallied the game-winning goal with less than seven minutes to go in the game against Switzerland. With a delayed penalty coming against Switzerland, the U.S. pulled goaltender Casey DeSmith in favor of an extra attacker, and Phillips scored on a shot off the post to account for the 6-5 final.

With the victory the U.S. Under-18 Select Team finished in 7th place at the 2008 Under-18 Memorial of Ivan Hlinka tournament. Caleb Herbert, who scored two goals, was named Team USA's Player of the Game.

"It's good to see the guys find a victory in a difficult game and end the tournament on a strong note," said former DU assistant and Team USA Head Coach Seth Appert (Albany, N.Y.). "We knew we were playing in a tremendously difficult bracket, so it is great to end it with a win."

Herbert opened the game's scoring when his wrist shot from the high slot beat Swiss netminder Remo Trub through the legs with Team USA on the power play at 12:06. Switzerland scored twice before Herbert tallied his second of the game, knocking in a long pass from Collin Bowman (Littleton, Colo.) at 17:44, to tie the game, 2-2.

After Switzerland took the lead at 8:02 of the second frame, Steven Whitney (Wakefield, Mass.) scored on an across-the-crease pass from Christopher McCarthy (Collegeville, Pa.) at 9:16 to again tie the game for Team USA. Switzerland a 4-3 lead at 11:31 before Brendan Rempel (Willington, Conn.) knocked the puck out of the air and into the back of the Swiss net at 14:28 to knot the game at four. Nick Oliver (Wannaska, Minn.) re-directed a slapshot from Bowman at 17:31 to give the U.S. a 5-4 advantage after 40 minutes.

Switzerland scored at 8:41 of the third, before Phillips' heroics talling the game-winning goal less than a minute later.

Team USA 2008 Memorial of Ivan Hlinka Tournament Results
August 12-16 • Breclav, Czech Republic and Piestany, Slovakia

USA Results & Scores
August 9 Canada* L 4-6
August 10 Slovakia* W 6-2
August 12 Russia L 1-5
August 13 Finland L 5-6
August 14 Czech Republic L 2-5
August 16 Switzerland W 6-5
* exhibition game

Tournament Results & Scores
Gold Medal - Canada
Silver Medal - Russia
Bronze Medal - Sweden
4th Place - Finland
5th Place - Czech Republic
6th Place - Slovakia
7th Place - USA
8th Place - Switzerland

USA Falls To Czechs 5-2 In Ivan Hlinka Tourney

From: USA Hockey.com

BRECLAV, Czech Republic – The U.S. Under-18 Select Team, including DU 2009 recruit Paul Phillps, fell to the Czech Republic, 5-2, today at the 2008 Under-18 Memorial of Ivan Hlinka tournament. Zach Budish (Edina, Minn.), who scored one goal and added one assist, was named Team USA's Player of the Game.

"We played hard from the start of the game today," said Team USA Head Coach and former DU assistant coach Seth Appert (Albany, N.Y.). "The loss today was not from lack of physical effort. Unfortunately, we just had a few mental mistakes."

The U.S. Under-18 Select Team returns to action Saturday (Aug. 16) when it faces Switzerland in its final game of the tournament at 9:30 a.m. EDT in Breclav, Czech Republic. (Full Story)

Czech Republic 5 - United States 2

Scoring by period:
USA 0-1-1 -2
CZE 1-2-2 -5

Team USA 2008 Memorial of Ivan Hlinka Tournament Schedule
August 12-16 • Breclav, Czech Republic and Piestany, Slovakia

August 9 Canada* L 4-6
August 10 Slovakia* W 6-2
August 12 Russia L 1-5
August 13 Finland L 5-6
August 14 Czech Republic L 2-5
August 16 Switzerland (7th Place Game)
* exhibition game

Former DU Assistant Becomes AHCA President

From: Polytech Online
by Melanie Depoian

The American Hockey Coaches Association announced in May that former DU assistant coach Seth Appert was selected by its members as their new president. Appert follows in the footsteps of University of Denver coach George Gwozdecky, under whom he got his coaching start. Gwozdecky will act as an advisor to the board and particularly to the president, as stated in the AHCA bylaws.

We are thrilled that Seth has agreed to serve in this capacity, said Joe Bertagna, AHCA executive director, in a press release. His self-confidence and energy will give our organization a boost as we set out to meet the demands of our many constituencies.

Appert will serve a three-year term as president, while he continues to guide the Engineers (Rensselaer Polytech Institute) toward a championship.

The AHCA bylaws describe the duties of the president, including to be chair of the Ethics Committee, to represent the AHCA, and to prepare written correspondence with the NCAA, USA Hockey, NHL, USOC, and other such bodies with the executive director, as well as to initiate revisions to the constitution as necessary.

Butler Readies Himself For Professional Career

(above) Professional hockey player Chris Butler hopes to finish his degree from DU within two years

From: Portland Pirates.com

Portland, Maine - When Chris Butler signed a contract with the Buffalo Sabres on April 13, 2008, opting to forgo his final year at the University of Denver, he became the fourth player in the past three years to leave DU early for a chance to play in the NHL. His collegiate career may be over on the ice, but off the ice it's a different story; Butler plans to complete his bachelor's degree in Business within the next two years to keep a promise he made to his grandmother. That shows loyalty and determination that would be welcome by teammates and fans wherever he plays.

In the 2007-2008 season, Butler earned RBK/Hockey AHCA West-All American second-team honors and All-WCHA second-team accolades. He was named to the WCHA Final Five and Wells Fargo Denver Cup all-tournament teams. Butler blocked a team high 110 shots while scoring three goals and 17 points in 41 games for the Pioneers. The St. Louis, Missouri native appeared in 115 games over three seasons and finished his collegiate career with 66 points on 20 goals and 46 assists.

RPI head coach and former DU assistant Seth Appert describes Butler saying, "He's the ultimate two way defenseman. He can and does provide offense, but he does it with minimal risk to his game. When he contributes offensively he does it by making great decisions. Chris is a rare defenseman that runs the first power play, but can also match against the other team's top line."

Butler represented team USA at the 2006 World Junior Championships held in Vancouver, Canada, where he was a teammate of fellow Sabres prospect Nathan Gerbe. In the 2004-2005 season, he led Sioux City (USHL) with a +36 plus/minus rating and was named to the first team All-USHL, earning a spot in the USHL All-Star Game.

DU Recruit & Former Coach To Lead Team USA

(above) 2009 recruit Paul Phillips (#7) spent last season manning the blueline for the Cedar Rapids Roughriders in the USHL

2009 incoming recruit Paul Phillips and former DU assistant coach Seth Appert were selected by USA Hockey for the 2008 United States Under-18 Select Team. They will participate in the 2008 Memorial of Ivan Hlinka Tournament August 12-16 in Breclav, Czech Republic, and Piestany, Slovakia.

Team members were chosen from the 2008 USA Hockey Select 17 Player Development Camp, which was held July 7-13 at the National Hockey Center at St. Cloud State (Minn.) University and featured many of America's best hockey players born in 1991.

Phillips was a member of the U.S. Under-17 Select Team that took part in the 2007 Under-17 Five Nations Tournament in the Czech Republic.

Seth Appert has been chosen to serve as the head coach.

“I’m honored to represent our country with these twenty-one fine young men,” said Appert. “This group has an outstanding mix of skill, competitiveness and hockey intelligence which will allow us to contend for the gold medal.”

DU's Recruiting Classes

2009
D William Wrenn (U.S. Under-17)
D Matt Donovan (Cedar Rapids, USHL)
D Paul Phillips (Cedar Rapids, USHL)
G Adam Murray (U.S. under-17)
F Drew Shore (U.S. Under-17)
F Shawn Ostrow (Camose, AJHL)

2010
Jason Zucker (Detroit Compuware)

Thomas & Mannino Notch Up One Last Victory

(above) DU legends Andy Thomas and Peter Mannino performed one last time in front of the Denver faithful at the NCAA Skill Competition on Friday at the Pepsi Center

Photo Credit: S. Victoria

From: University of Denver Website

DENVER – University of Denver seniors Andrew Thomas and Peter Mannino helped the West squad to 13-6 win over the East at tonight’s NCAA Frozen Four Skills Challenge at Pepsi Center.

Thomas claimed the accuracy shooting contest by winning a playoff against the East’s Luke Flicek (Army). Thomas hit 3-of-4 shots in a playoff after going 4-of-8 in the opening round. Thomas also clocked a time of 4.55 seconds in the fastest skater competition, while Mannino stopped 7-of-8 rapid fire shots and 3-of-3 penalty shots.

Denver head coach George Gwozdecky and former DU assistant coach and current Miami head coach Enrico Blasi served as co-coaches for the West. Former DU assistant and current RPI head coach Seth Appert was one of two coaches for the East.