News & Notes From Around PioNation

(above) Bluechip DU recruit Dylan Gambrell will play in the USHL a year early

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Former DU Captain Ryan Caldwell's father, Bob, has been named as an assistant coach on the Western Michigan University hockey staff. Bob Caldwell coached at various levels of hockey and has been recognized by Hockey Canada for his leadership in coaching development programs.  Western Michigan will face DU several times each season in the NCHC starting next season.

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The Colorado Springs Business Journal has an article detailing the revenue created by the Colorado College hockey program.  Many of the figures discussed would be similar or in the ballpark of what DU's hockey program generates.

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While the NHL strike lingers on, several former DU players have been sent down to the AHL to develop while the two sides negotiate a settlement.  Jason Zucker was among a group of players sent to the AHL Houston Aeros.

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2013 Recruiting Class 
F Matt Van Voorhis (Sioux Falls, USHL)
F Tyler Pham (Indiana Ice, USHL)
F Brad Hawkinson (Lincoln Stars, USHL)
F Landon Smith (Cedar Rapids, USHL)
F Connor Chatham (Omaha, USHL)
F Ray Pigozzi (Chicago, USHL)
D Will Butcher (U.S. Under-18)
F Cody DePourcq (Penticton, BCHL)
F Trevor Moore (Tri-Cities, USHL)

2014 Recruiting Class 
F Jared Fiegl (U.S. Under-17)
D Gage Ausmus (U.S. Under-18)
F Dylan Gambrell (Dubuque, USHL)
F Garrett Gamez (Tri-Cities, USHL)

Junior Hockey Tourney To Feature Colorado Team

From: Grand Forks Herald
by Tom Miller

The UND men’s hockey team’s series against the University of Denver won’t be the only big event in Ralph Engelstad Arena in Grand Forks, North Dakota this weekend.

REA, will host the Little Caesars North American Showcase midget hockey tournament Friday through Sunday.

The eight-team event features Little Caesars (Detroit), Colorado Outlaws, Dallas Stars, Okanogan, Shattuck-St. Mary’s, Winnipeg Thrashers, Chadders and Pembina Valley Hawks.

It’s an opportunity for some of the most talented youth hockey players in Canada and the United States to play in front of college recruiters and junior hockey coaches.

“That’s the main focal point coming to these tournaments,” tournament organizer Scott Koberinski said. “Most of these kids will play juniors somewhere. This gives them a chance to move on their hockey careers.

“It also gives college recruiters a heads up to where kids are at with their development. It’s a good, high-caliber tournament.”

Shattuck-St. Mary’s defeated the Winnipeg Thrashers in the title game last season.

Former 14 year NHL player Doug Smail coaches the Colorado Outlaws.

Notes: Tyler Ruegsegger, David Carle & Ryan Caldwell used to play for Shattuck St. Marys ... Future Pioneer Matt Donovan used to play for the Dallas Stars.

DU's East Coast NHL Affiliate Wants Tyler Bozak

DU's East Coast NHL Affiliate, otherwise known as the New York Islanders, are hot on the trail of Tyler Bozak. The Isles signed Ryan Caldwell, Wade Dubielewicz and Peter Mannino to their first pro contracts and have drafted Rhett Rakhshani and future Pioneer Matt Donovan.

According to the Islanders Point Blank Blog, the Isles have designs on Bozak and Boston University Senior Matt Gilroy. The rumor may have some legs because , according to the blog, New York could make a spot for Bozak at center on their NHL Roster.

Tyler Bozak is without a doubt regarded as the #1 collegiate free agent.

The sophomore center at the University of Denver is 7-11-18 in 15 games this season. One Eastern Conference scout calls the 20-year old “dynamic,” “fast” and “a complete player.”

For comparison, Point Blank recently ranked Denver forward Rhett Rakhshani as the Islanders’ No. 5 prospect not currently in Bridgeport or with the big club. If the Islanders signed Bozak, Rakhshani’s Pioneers teammate would be neck-and-neck with the top-ranked Kirill Petrov - and the team wouldn’t have to worry about getting him here.

Dreger reported that 26 NHL teams have expressed interest in Bozak. We can confirm that the Islanders are one of them. The college player cannot have an agent, but he is being “advised” by Wade Arnott, with whom the Islanders share a cordial working relationship.

Scouts seem convinced Bozak has the ability to step right into the NHL next season. While the competition for Bozak’s services will be fierce, the Islanders no doubt could find a spot for him down the middle.

Kevin Doell Signs Contract With Swedish Club

(above) DU alum Kevin Doell is heading to Sweden

From: Leksand Stars Website

DU alum Kevin Doell has signed a contract with the Leksand Stars of the Swedish Ice Hockey League. The Stars are currently playing in the second division in Sweden, but obviously with the signing of Doell, will be looking to move back to the first division by the end of next season.

Doell spent last season in the AHL, winning a Calder Cup with the Chicago Wolves and playing 8 games in the NHL with the Atlanta Thrashers.

Leksand's Mikael Lustrom said, "We are happy to sign a player of Doell's ability. He is a very good two way player who will help us tremendously."

Doell is the 4th DU alum to sign in Europe for next season. The other three are Ryan Caldwell in Germany, Wade Dubielewicz and Mark Rycroft in Russia.

Doell will be joing a team that is a phenomenon in Swedish sports. Its a tiny community (just 6,000 residents) with a big-time ice hockey following and remains one of the most popular clubs in Sweden.

Notes: Andy Thomas and Adam Berkhoel are two players with DU ties that have yet to sign a contracts with professional clubs. The Washington Capitals drafted Thomas in 2005 have until August 15th to sign him or he will become a free agent.

DU Hockey Blog Updated

This week the DU Hockey Blog on the DU Athletics Website has news on Ryan Caldwell's professional career, Mike Chamber's recent surgery, Steve Miller's poker career, Derek Lalonde & Matt Laatsch coaching the USA Select 15's and potentially Geoff Paukovich's new teammate Robbie Bina.

NHL Free Agent Signing Period Underway

Ryan Caldwell with the Phoenix Coyotes

Kevin Doell with the Atlanta Thrashers

Connor James with the Pittsburgh Penguins

Gabe Gauthier with the LA Kings

The NHL free agent signing period is just underway. Former DUers with 20007-08 NHL experience who are unrestricted free agents are Ryan Caldwell, Connor James and Kevin Doell. Gabe Gauthier is a restricted free agent who was given a qualifying offer by the Kings. Goalie Wade Dubielewicz has already signed with in the Russian Kontinental Hockey League with Ak-Bars Kazan. Adam Berkhoel, Mark Rycroft, Brett Skinner and Glenn Fisher are also free agents but they didn't log any time in the NHL last season. It is believed that Glenn Fisher has agreed to an AHL contract with the Edmonton organization. Below are the links to the TSN site to follow the signings and the official NHL free agent list.

TSN.ca

Official NHL Free Agent List

DU Receives Commitment From David Carle

Mike Chambers Blog is reporting that David Carle is coming to Denver.

Defenseman David Carle of Anchorage, Alaska is ranked 74th among 210 North American skaters by the NHL's Central Scouting Service in its mid-term rankings. David, 18, is a senior at Shattuck-St. Mary’s, a prep school in Faribault, Minn., that produced Tyler Ruegsegger and Ryan Caldwell.

Carle is listed at 6'1 and is 185 pounds. Carle produced 8 goals and 26 assists in his first 43 games this season as Shattuck has rolled to a 34-8-2 start this season.

David is the middle son of Bob and Karen Carle's three boys. Former DU player Matt, 23, is the oldest, and future DU superstar Alex, 13, who plays defense for the Alaska All Stars Bantam B team.

"David Carle committed to DU on Thursday _ a move that substantially elevates an already stellar incoming freshman class.

The younger defenseman has 34 points in 43 games for Shattuck-St. Mary’s prep team and is ranked No. 74 in Central Scouting’s midterm rankings." (rest of the story)

Obviously a huge signing and a very important one for a program that is going through a rough couple of weeks. Cynics may note that DU may have been delaying the "Trotter Announcement" until news of Carle broke since that has appeared to be the "Pioneer Formula" during previous "catastrophes."

Important to note that the timing of the signing comes just two weeks after Andrew MacWilliam signed with North Dakota and Patrick Wiercioch signed with Wisconsin. Maybe it was a coincidence, but I think DU was in the running for those guys as well, but Carle was obviously Denver's first choice.

DU Recruiting Classes

2008
F Nate Dewhurst (Des Moines, USHL)
F Joe Colborne (Camrose, AJHL)
D John Lee (Waterloo, USHL)
F Stepan Novotny (Indiana, USHL)
D David Carle (Shattuck-St Mary's HS)

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)*

*Could be either a 2009 or 2010 recruit

DU Players Waiting For Their Shot In The NHL

From: Rocky Mountain News
by Pat Rooney

(left) Gabe Gauthier was sent down yesterday by the LA Kings to the AHL Manchester Monarchs

Note: Part II of article published yesterday.

Former Pioneers who have received some time in the NHL and are playing for affiliates, awaiting recall:

* C Gabe Gauthier (Los Angeles Kings) - Scored the only goal in DU's 2004 national title-game victory. Appeared in five games with Kings last season and was recalled from Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League on Monday.

* D Ryan Caldwell (Phoenix Coyotes) - Captain of DU's 2004 national championship team appeared in two games with New York Islanders during 2005-06 season. Signed by Phoenix last summer, appeared in two games with Coyotes earlier this season and now plays for the Rampage, Phoenix's American Hockey League affiliate in San Antonio.

* LW Connor James (Pittsburgh Penguins) - Appeared in two games with Los Angeles during 2005-06 season and was signed by Pittsburgh in August 2006. Now with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the AHL.

* G Adam Berkhoel (Detroit Red Wings) - Most Outstanding Player of 2004 Frozen Four is with third NHL franchise in four professional seasons. Appeared in nine games for Atlanta Thrashers in 2005-06 and now plays for Grand Rapids Griffins of the AHL. Berkhoel is sharing time with Jimmy Howard, the former Maine goaltender Berkhoel bested in '04 title game.

* LW Mark Rycroft (Avalanche) - Veteran forward has posted 46 points in four NHL seasons and captains Avalanche's AHL affiliate in Lake Erie. Was joined this week by rookie J.D. Corbin, a native of Littleton who has scored one goal since his promotion.

DU Hockey Alums In The Pros - 2007

The Official "Mustards Last Stand" Pioneer Professional All-Hot Dog Team

Thanks to our resident Pionologist & LetsGoDU Statistician "Duper" (who can frequently be found working at Mustard's...Don't forget to ask for your LetsGoDU 10% Discount) we have updated statistics on all of the guys that we know of currently playing professional hockey all over the world. There are four alums currently playing in the NHL.

2006 Edition Of Pioneers In The Pros

Goaltenders

Team - League - GP - W - L - OT - GAA - S%

Wade Dubielewicz - NY Islanders - NHL - 3 - 1 - 1 - 5.08 - .836
Dubie was shelled in his first appearance, things have gotten better since.

Adam Berkhoel - Grand Rapids Griffins - AHL - 10 - 3 - 6 - 1 - 3.76 - .879
Berky splits time with 2004 NC game opponent Jimmy Howard

Glenn Fisher - Stockton Thunder - ECHL - 9 - 4 - 3 - 1 - 3.23 - .903
2 shutouts

Sinuhe Wallinheimo - JYP - sm-liiga (Finland) .923 S%
sm-liiga has changed their site, and, not reading Finnish, the only solid stat I can find is S% He is generally a top league goalie, but for a crappy team.


Skaters

Team - League - G - A - P - +/- - PM

Paul Stastny - Colorado Avalanche - NHL - 9 - 14 - 23 - +2 - 10 - 1pp - 2gw
Leads team in points and assists

Matt Carle - San Jose Sharks - NHL - 1 - 5 - 6 - -3 - 4 - 1pp
Carle just got a 4 yr extension

Matt Pettinger - Washington Capitals - NHL - 1 - 2 - 3 - -2 - 17 - 1pp - 1gw

Ryan Caldwell - San Antonio Rampage - AHL - 1 - 3 - 4 - +6 - 23 - 1sh
In 2 games with the NHL Phoenix Coyotes, Caldwell had 2 PM in about 12 minutes on ice.

Kevin Doell - Chicago Wolves - AHL - 1 - 4 - 5 - +4 - 26

Mark Rycroft - Lake Erie Monsters - AHL - 0 - 5 - 5 - E - 9

Gabe Gauthier - Manchester Monarchs - AHL - 7 - 16 - 23 - -1 - 21 - 6pp
Gabe is 3rd in the league in points

Aaron MacKenzie - Peoria Rivermen - AHL - 0 - 2 - 2 - -3 - 8

Brett Skinner - Providence Bruins - AHL - 1 - 7 - 8 - E - 8

Gavin Morgan - Rockford Ice Hogs - AHL - 0 - 2 - 2 - -2 - 7

Connor James - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins - AHL - 4 - 5 - 9 - +3 - 10

Ryan Dingle - Portland Pirates - AHL - 0 - 2 - 2 - -1 - 4 - 7 games
Augusta Lynx - ECHL - 2 - 8 - 10 - -7 - 10 - 1pp - 9 games
Dingle currently plays for Augusta

Adrian Veideman - Augusta Lynx - ECHL - 2 - 7 - 9 - -4 - 20

Kevin Ulanski - Elmira Jackals - ECHL - 4 - 8 - 12 - +2 - 10 - 2pp - 1sh

Luke Fulghum - Elmira Jackals - ECHL - 6 - 5 - 11 - -2 - 0 - 2pp - 1sh - 8 games
Stockton Thunder - ECHL - 1 - 1 - 2 - -1 0 - 1 pp - 5 games
Fulghum currently plays for Elmira

J. D. Corbin - Johnstown Chiefs - ECHL - 1 - 7 - 8 - -9 - 10 - 1pp

Geoff Paukovich - Stockton Thunder - ECHL - 4 - 3 - 7 - +1 - 12 - 1sh

Jon Foster - Wheeling Nailers - ECHL - 0 - 0 - 0 - -7 - 8

Erik Adams - Colorado Eagles - CHL - Has not played this season

James Patterson - Huntsville Havoc - SPHL - 5 - 5 - 10 - -1 - 2 - 4pp - 1gw

Jussi Halme - Tappara - sm-liiga - 0 - 2 - 2 - -5 - 14

Antti Laaksonen - Fribourg-Gotteron (Swi) - 8 - 6 - 14 - 28PM

An interesting note; While Duper can't seem to find him this year, Lukas Dora played in England last season.

Puck Swami's list of DU's most notable athletes all-time

Dubbie's Success Spans From DU To Big Apple

From: Rocky Mountain News
by Rick Sadowski

(left) Wade Dubielewicz stops the Sabres on this attempt in the first period last night, but it wasn't enough as Buffalo defeated the Islanders 4-1.

The New York Islanders were long shots to make the playoffs and their chances of upsetting the Buffalo Sabres in the opening round wouldn't be great even if they weren't banking on an inexperienced player at such a critical position: goaltender.
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But stranger things have happened in postseason play, and former University of Denver star Wade Dubielewicz doesn't appear to be intimidated by the prospect of facing the high-powered Sabres, who won Game 1 of the series 4-1 on Thursday night.

Dubielewicz, 28, was thrust into the role when Rick DiPietro suffered a concussion and Islanders coach Ted Nolan could no longer count on veteran backup Mike Dunham to get the job done.

All "Dubie" did was backstop the Islanders to wins in their final four games, including the 3-2 shootout victory against New Jersey in Sunday's regular-season finale that propelled the club into the playoffs.

Dubielewicz has become the feel-good story of the postseason, although the story could end soon. DiPietro was cleared to practice late Thursday and will practice today. The team will then determine whether he can play Saturday.

"I've had three calls in the last two days from different New York writers asking me about Wade," DU coach George Gwozdecky said. "There's no question he is a big story. I talked to Wade and he is so excited and so pumped and so positive. It's really neat to see. I don't think he's surprising himself and I certainly don't think he's surprising any of us at how he's playing."

Dubielewicz's career was on the upswing during his junior year at DU in 2001-02. He posted a 20-4 record with a 1.72 goals-against average and .943 saves percentage and helped the Pioneers earn the first No. 1 ranking in the national polls in the school's history.

Only an upset by Michigan in the West Regional in Ann Arbor, Mich., prevented the Pioneers, who finished 32-8-1, from advancing to the Frozen Four.

"I still think that was our best team ever," Gwozdecky said.

Remember, DU won back-to- back NCAA championships in 2004 and 2005.

Dubielewicz turned down a contract offer from the Minnesota Wild so he could return to Denver for his senior year, but he suffered a hamstring injury that limited his playing time to 19 games.

"I don't think he ever got back to the level of his game that he was before the injury," Gwozdecky said.

The Islanders signed Dubielewicz as a free agent in May 2003 on the advice of a scout who saw him play while watching DU defenseman Ryan Caldwell, who was drafted by the Islanders and is now in the Columbus Blue Jackets system.

Dubielewicz has spent most of his four professional seasons in the American Hockey League. He was the AHL's rookie of the year in 2003-04 and this season won 22 games and played in the AHL All-Star Game.

"A lot of goaltenders take more time to mature at the pro level than at other positions," Gwozdecky said. "You've seen the maturation process of Wade over the last few years. Sometimes you put certain guys into roles and you don't really understand what they can do until all of a sudden they surprise you because you're forced into playing them."

Gwozdecky said Dubielewicz's poke check of New Jersey's Sergei Brylin to secure Sunday's shootout win was a typical play by the 5-foot-10, 180-pounder, whose smallish size forces him to compensate in other ways.

"The poke check was one of the things he made famous his final two years with us," Gwozdecky said. "He frustrated so many shooters, including our guys in practice. He was so quick with the poke check and so hard to anticipate. That was the kind of move he did so frequently for us."

Dubie Likely To Start In Goal Against The Sabres

From: New York Islanders Website

New York Islanders coach Ted Nolan did not pull any punches. He could have waited as late as Thursday's morning skate to declare his goaltender for that night's Game 1 in Buffalo. Instead, he cut to the chase.

"(Wade) Dubielewicz has been playing great and right now it looks like he'll continue to play," said Nolan. "We'd like to have our injured players back (Rick DiPietro), but we can't focus on the injured players. We have to worry about the guys we have. My job is to get the players that are ready to play prepared for the Buffalo Sabres. When the doctors and the medical staff tell me someone is ready to play, then it's a coach's decision."

When asked by Newsday's Greg Logan, "So then are we looking at Dubie in Game One?" Ted said, "More than likely."

After only 17 career NHL appearances, Dubielewicz now has the job of trying to shut down the NHL's highest-scoring team. It means a lot to a guy from Invermere, British Columbia, who was signed only because an Islanders scout who went to the University of Denver to check out defenseman Ryan Caldwell couldn't overlook the little goaltender.

DU Alums In The Pros - 2006

The Official "Mustards Last Stand" Pioneer Professional All-Hot Dog Team

USCHO poster & DU Superfan "Duper" has posted an updated list of former Pioneers currently playing professional hockey

NHL
Matt Carle - San Jose
Antti Laaksonen - Colorado
Mark Rycroft - Colorado
Paul Stastny - Colorado
Matt Pettinger - Washington

AHL
Ryan Caldwell - Bridgeport Sound Tigers
Wade Dublieweciz - Bridgeport
Kevin Doell - Chicago Wolves
Gabe Gauthier - Manchester Monarchs
Aaron MacKenzie - Peoria Rivermen
Brett Skinner - Portland Pirates
Adam Berkhoel - Rochester Americans
Connor James - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins

ECHL
Luke Fulghum - Columbia Inferno
Jon Foster - Wheeling Nailers

CHL
Erik Adams - Colorado Eagles

SPHL
James Patterson - Huntsville Havoc

UHL
Kevin Ulanski - Rockford Ice Hogs

Overseas
Sinuhe Wallinheimo - JYP - sm liiga (Finnish top league)
Jussi Halme - Sodertalje SK - Allsvenskan (Swedish 2nd league)
Gavin Morgan - Vienna-Austria
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List of Pioneers Who Played Professional Hockey

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Here's a link to Hockey Database's List of many Pioneer players who played professional hockey over the years with teams, statistics & leagues played in. Current players statistics will be a year old. Unfortunately, there appears to be several omissions.

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Puck Swami's list of DU's most notable athletes

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A complete list of DU players who have played professional hockey is avaliable in the DU Media Guide available in the Magness Arena Shop.