News & Notes From Around PioNation

(above) DU Alum Brandon Vossberg will begin his professional career in Alaska

The Portland Pirates (AHL) announced today that the Buffalo Sabres have re-signed Head Coach and DU Alum Kevin Dineen for the 2010-11 American Hockey League season. Dineen has been a candidate for several NHL head coaching vacancies in recent seasons.

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Recent DU graduate Brandon Vossberg has signed a contract with the Alaska Aces (ECHL) for the 2010-11 season.

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Defenseman & DU Alum Brett Skinner signed a one-year deal with Amur Khabarovsk of the Russian super league.

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The first annual University of Denver Hockey Alumni Pro Camp will be held Aug. 16-20 at Joy Burns Ice Arena. The pro camp will allow current professional DU hockey alums the opportunity to train together in preparation for their upcoming seasons this fall. DU hockey alumni expected to participate in this year's inaugural camp are Peter Mannino, Chris Butler, Rhett Rakhshani, Joe Colborne, Marc Cheverie, Geoff Paukovich, Ryan Dingle, J.D. Corbin, Tom May and Matt Glasser. Cody McLeod of the Colorado Avalanche is also expected to participate in the camp.

DU Alum Kurt Overhardt Represents NHL Players

(above) DU Alum Kurt Overhardt is a sports agent for many NHL stars

University of Denver graduate Kurt Overhardt is a Denver-based NHL agent who represents some of the league's top players. His clients include Dallas Stars goalie Marty Turco and young forwards Kyle Turris of the Phoenix Coyotes and T.J. Hensick of the Avalanche.

Overhardt advises two Hobey Baker Award winners in former DU defenseman Matt Carle of the Philadelphia Flyers and center Brendan Morrison of the Anaheim Ducks, plus former Pioneers Wade Dubielewicz, Connor James, Ryan Dingle, Adrian Veideman, Glenn Fisher, Geoff Paukovich and J.D. Corbin. [read rest of article]

DU Alum JD Corbin Hopes To Move Up To AHL

(above) J.D. Corbin hopes to make the Colorado Avalanche's AHL affiliate this season

From: NHL.com
by Brian Compton

DU Alum J.D. Corbin was back in Colorado earlier this summer, but not to visit his family.

Left winger Corbin was born just outside of Denver and spent quite a few years near home before beginning his professional career. The 23-year-old was selected in the eighth round (No. 249) of the 2004 Entry Draft by the Colorado Avalanche.

Corbin was participating in the Avalanche’s Development Camp, which was held from July 9-16 at the Family Sports Center in Centennial, Colo. While plenty of time was spent by the players on the ice honing their skills, the main focus was to get guys like Corbin on the right path in terms of conditioning.

“They push us at the very beginning,” Corbin said. “They want us to learn. It’s not so much like a tryout week. They want to bring us in here and kind of start developing players at a young age. The big thing that I’ve learned is the off-ice stuff and what it takes to get to the next level and how to work out properly.”

Corbin appeared in 42 games for Lake Erie (AHL) in 2007-08, notching 3 goals and 6 assists. He had 9 points in 16 games for Johnstown (ECHL).

“I thought it was a pretty good season as far as getting my feet and learning what the game’s like and kind of adapting to the pro game,” Corbin said. “It’s sort of different from the college game. Getting used to that was a big part of last year. It was a good year for me personally. It was good to play down there.”

While most used college as an excuse to get away from home, Corbin stayed close with a four-year run at the University of Denver. His best season came in his junior year (2005-06), when he had 20 points (5 goals, 15 assists) in 38 games.

“Every year, you want to get better and shoot for the next level. That’s a goal of mine next year.” said Corbin

Corbin arrived in Denver after spending two seasons with the U.S. National Under-18 Team, when he spent a lot of time away from home. That all changed once he joined the college ranks.

“Everything fit,” Corbin responded when asked about his decision to stay close to home. “It’s a great program, great facility, it’s a great city. The coaches there are great. It was just a good fit for me. I played away from home for three years before that, so it was nice to come back home and play in front of my family.”

He’ll get to spend some more time at home before training camp opens in September, but once Tony Granato begins his second stint as Avalanche coach, it will be all business for Corbin. He is hopeful he can land a full-time job with Lake Erie this season.

“That’s what I’m hoping for,” Corbin said. “Every year, you want to get better and shoot for the next level. That’s a goal of mine next year.”

Jon Foster To Sign With Knoxville Ice Bears

(above) Jon Foster won two National Championships at DU

From: Our Sports

DU Alum Jon Foster, a 5-10, 195-pound forward from Suffern, NY will be joining the Knoxville Ice Bears for the 2008-2009 season.

Foster helped the University of Denver capture back-to-back Division I NCAA National Championships. He had career bests with 21 goals and 29 points in 43 games during his 2004-2005 senior year. Foster earned many accolades while he played for the University of Denver. His 21 goals tied him for fourth in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) and 10th in the nation. He was named rookie of the week and player of the week through out his college career. In four seasons at Denver, Foster had 44 goals, 44 assists, and 102 penalty minutes in 155 career games.

Foster left his senior year of high school to play in the United States Hockey League (USHL) for the Dubuque Fighting Saints. There he made the USHL all-star game and was named to the ALL-Rookie team. He scored 26 goals in 54 games.

Although this is Jon's first year in the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL), he is not a stranger to professional hockey. He played one year in the Central Hockey League (CHL) as a rookie for the Corpus Christi Rayz and the Lubbock Cotton Kings. He scored 17 goals and had 14 assists. After a year with the CHL, Foster moved to the (ECHL) and signed with the Wheeling Nailers, after being invited to camp with the Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League (AHL). Foster scored 12 goals and had 15 assists while with Wheeling.

Ice Bears head coach Scott Hillman is more than excited to have Jon Foster join the Bears this season.

"To say we are very excited to announce Jon Foster has signed with our club would be an understatement. This is huge for the Ice Bears organization! Jon will be entering his fourth season of professional hockey, and he knows what it takes to win championships. He played along side players like Gabe Gauthier (LA Kings, NHL), Paul Stastny (Colorado Avalanche, NHL), Matt Carle (San Jose Sharks, NHL), Luke Fulghum (Providence Bruins, AHL) and JD Corbin (Lake Erie Monsters, AHL). You do not put up great numbers like Jon did in Division I hockey and get invited to an AHL camp by accident. He is an incredible talent for this level. We expect Jon to be a huge contributor in the 2008-2009 season for the Ice Bears, and he is very excited to team up with Swider and Vitek to make a real impact in the SPHL," commented Coach Hillman.

The Knoxville Ice Bears will resume play in October. The defending SPHL champions will play 30 regular season home games at the Knoxville Civic Coliseum. For more information on game dates, season tickets and promotional activities, please visit www.knoxvilleicebears.com.

Denver Post's Terry Frei Covers Tyler Ruegsegger

(above) Tyler Ruegsegger is back from the Czech Republic

From: Denver Post
by Terry Frei

Tyler Ruegsegger was back on the University of Denver campus Wednesday, readjusting to the Mountain Time Zone and stepping out of the glare of international hockey's spotlight.

Still only 19, the Lakewood native and DU sophomore forward is one of the nation's top young hockey players — a status reinforced by his selection to the U.S. team that finished fourth in the World Junior Championships in the Czech Republic last week.

Another Pioneers sophomore, Rhett Rakhshani, also was on the U.S. team, and both will be back in their DU uniforms for weekend home games against Wisconsin.

"To have a chance to represent my country was very special, and it's something I'll remember my whole life," Ruegsegger said at Magness Arena.

The Americans went 4-0 in pool play, then lost to eventual champion Canada in the semifinals and to Russia in Saturday's bronze-medal game. The disappointment was palpable, but because Ruegsegger is open about his fervent Christian faith and never has used words that trigger the laughs in "Slap Shot," he doesn't need to be censored when talking about it.

"Any time you play, especially for your country, you want to medal, if not win the gold medal," Ruegsegger said. "So it's frustrating, yet at the same time, we took a lot from that tournament. We met some great people, learned a lot about the game and had a wonderful experience."

Both of the Pioneers help illustrate the changing face of DU and U.S. hockey. With youth hockey booming throughout the state since the Avs' arrival, DU has six Coloradans — including Ruegsegger, already a 2006 Toronto Maple Leafs draft choice — on its roster.

He follows the departed Geoff Paukovich and J.D. Corbin as Coloradans to play for DU and go in the NHL draft. His predecessors are toiling in the minors in their rookie pro seasons — Paukovich as an Edmonton Oilers farmhand with the Stockton Thunder of the ECHL; and Corbin with the Avalanche's American League affiliate, the Lake Erie Monsters.

And Rakhshani, the other current Pioneer on the U.S. World Junior team? He's from Huntington Beach, Calif., and is the latest in a caravan of Southern California products to wind up playing for the national power programs at DU and Colorado College.

At this point, even the Coloradans generally leave the state to refine their game, most often in junior hockey and the United States Hockey League, before coming to DU. Ruegsegger, who played for the powerhouse youth programs in Arvada and Littleton, instead went to Shattuck-St. Mary's, the renowned prep school in Faribault, Minn. His mother, Catherine, moved to Faribault with Tyler and his sister, Rebecca. Father Doug, an attorney, visited them when he could, also watching Rebecca's development into one of the top young American goaltenders.

"Shattuck was a great school and a great hockey program, and both are important to me," Ruegsegger said.

As a Shattuck-St. Mary's freshman, he wasn't on the varsity, but got to watch a sophomore, Sidney Crosby, score 72 goals in 57 games for the prep school before Crosby — now the NHL's best player at age 20 — moved on to major junior.

"I never was on his team, but skated with him in some drop-ins and things like that," Ruegsegger said. "He's pretty amazing. Even as a 10th-grader, he had incredible talent. When he left, I remember shaking hands with him and he wished me the best. He's a really good person."

As Ruegsegger, the Pioneers' third-leading scorer this season, makes his mark at DU, his little sister is taking a break from Shattuck-St. Mary's to play for the USA in the inaugural girls' under-18 world tournament in Calgary. (Denver-area resident Elizabeth Turgeon, the daughter of former Avalanche center Pierre Turgeon, also is on the U.S. team.)

"We helped each other," Tyler said of his goalie sister, who is 17. "There were times in high school when I went through difficult things, whether frustrations on the ice or injuries or things like that, she'd be the first person there to help me and help pushing me along. We have a very special relationship, and I love her to death."

DU Prepared Four Former Players For NHL

(above) Avalanche forward Paul Stastny, left, who is in his second NHL season, credits his two seasons at the University of Denver as being a jumping-off point for his 78-point rookie season

From: Rocky Mountain News
by Pat Rooney

When Matt Carle shows his face around the University of Denver, it's almost as if Magness Arena is being graced by hockey royalty.

Fans do double takes as Carle walks past, whispering and tugging the sleeves of their companions to make sure they get a glimpse. Naturally, the 2006 Hobey Baker Award winner gets ushered to one of the best seats in the house.

And, perhaps most important to Carle and the Pioneers, he receives full access to the DU locker room, where he can share tales and advice from his life as an NHL defenseman with friends, former teammates and the unfamiliar newcomers hoping to one day be in shoes similar to his.

If it seems like Carle is acting big time on the heels of a four-year contract extension he signed with the San Jose Sharks last month, think again. In a sense, he is just hoping to pass the torch.

When Carle arrived at DU after a two-year stint with the River City Lancers of the U.S. Hockey League, he immediately received mentoring from guys such as Antti Laaksonen, one of several DU alums who was plying his trade in the NHL and returned for workouts and scrimmages during the summers.

Now Carle, who enjoyed an opportunity to visit his former team last weekend as the Sharks prepared for a game against the Avalanche, is doing the same for Pioneers such as Chris Butler and Peter Mannino, who eventually should jump into the professional ranks.

"There was no better way to get prepared (for the NHL) than to come here and play for coach (George) Gwozdecky," said Carle, whose three seasons at DU included consecutive national championships in addition to winning the Hobey. "He kind of turned me into the player I am today and helped me evolve, not only as a hockey player, but as a mature person. That was probably the biggest reason why I came back for a third year - I wanted to mature more as a person and get another year of education under my belt.

"Now I don't really go around preaching to the guys. If they have questions, I'm more than happy to answer them. But I still keep in touch with the guys I played with here, like Butler and Mannino and (Andrew) Thomas. It's a huge tradition here. The alumni keep in touch, and it is great to be a part of that."

Getting their attention

A similar pipeline to the pros exists in Colorado Springs, where Colorado College has sent several players to the NHL, including Mark Stuart (Boston Bruins) and Tom Preissing (Los Angeles Kings).

While the lure of the NHL still is not a marquee recruiting tool for colleges - Canada's major junior system remains a top outlet for young talent, and Gwozdecky has watched two young defensemen leave the program to sign major junior contracts in the past year - having young NHL standouts such as

Carle and Stastny to point to certainly captures the attention of any young hockey player with NHL aspirations.

Carle is trying to persuade his younger brother to follow in his footsteps and sign a letter of intent with the Pioneers.

And with Stastny thriving with the Avalanche, it's not unusual for him to show up at DU's hockey offices to shake hands with recruits and plug the Pioneers' program.

"I tell them the truth, that they are a good player and (DU) wants you for a reason," Stastny said. "It's a small school and a great environment. It has good facilities. You're treated well, from the coaching staff to the faculty and everyone else. You know it's a good hockey tradition and it shows up right now with all the guys in the NHL right now to the powerhouse teams in the 1960s. It is easy to point that out."

Titles fuel exodus

Sending players to the NHL is nothing new to the storied DU program. Yet the Pioneers hockey alums playing in the NHL have taken a brighter spotlight in recent years for several reasons.

First, the back-to-back national championships the Pioneers won in 2004 and 2005 helped lead to early departures for players such as Carle, Paul Stastny and, this past offseason, Ryan Dingle and Geoff Paukovich.

Secondly, the fact that three DU hockey alums - Stastny, Laaksonen and Mark Rycroft - all played for the hometown Avalanche last season only strengthened the tie to the NHL.

Laaksonen returned to Europe after an unproductive season, and Rycroft plays for the Avalanche's American Hockey League affiliate Lake Erie Monsters and is teammates with former Pioneers player J.D. Corbin, who recently was promoted from the Johnstown Chiefs of the East Coast Hockey League.

But Stastny, in his second pro season, has continued to blossom as one of the NHL's most impressive young stars.

The son of Hockey Hall of Famer Peter Stastny credits his two-year stint at DU as being the springboard for his 78-point rookie season.

"From a hockey standpoint, I was able to develop my game for two years at DU, both offensively and defensively," Stastny said. "The trust and confidence the coaching staff had in me and Carle and all the other guys - they let us play and do our thing. They let us be the same players we are. They didn't try to change any of our styles.

"And at the same time, as a person, you mature that much more. You develop as a person and the character you are."

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

DU Freshmen Shine Opening Weekend

From: Denver Post
by Mike Chambers

(left) Peter Mannino was huge in goal this past weekend against Maine

Of course, it's too early to mention University of Denver goalie Peter Mannino as a player of the year candidate and suggest that the Pioneers' freshman class can make up for the four early departures since January. But judging from what unfolded this weekend at Magness Arena, DU could have a big-time player on a nicely developing team.

The 10th-ranked Pioneers are off to a sizzling start behind their senior goalie and four freshman forwards. Mannino backstopped a 3-1 victory Saturday night over perennial power Maine and two more freshmen collected their first goals.

The victory capped a two- game sweep of the No. 15 Black Bears, who have advanced to the Frozen Four the past two years, and got DU off to a 2-0 start in its 59th season.

The Pioneers rode Mannino's 10th career shutout in a 2-0 win on opening night Friday.

"I think it's very noticeable how hard our team competes and even more noticeable that when we do make blunders how phenomenal Peter can be in making us look good," DU coach George Gwozdecky said.

Maine coach Tim Whitehead said DU "outplayed us and deserved the series" and that the Bears didn't have much of a chance with Mannino in goal.

"He's very, very impressive," Whitehead said. "He made some big stops, and timely ones, and lots of different types of saves. Saves through traffic, saves going across the net, saves on the rush. He brought out the full repertoire."

Overall, he said of DU: "We know where the bar is now."

Freshmen accounted for three of DU's five goals in the series. Kyle Ostrow scored Friday and classmates Jesse Martin and Anthony Maiani delivered Saturday.

The most heralded freshman also was impressive. Tyler Bozak took the opening faceoff that led to Brock Trotter's breakaway goal six seconds into the game, and Gwozdecky had Bozak take two draws in the final minute when Maine pulled 6-foot-7 goalie Ben Bishop for a sixth attacker.

"I like what I see right now," Gwozdecky said of his freshmen. "Maiani, Martin, Ostrow, Bozak - they've done a wonderful job. They've taken a lot in, in a short time."

Sophomore Tyler Ruegsegger centered a line with Martin and Maiani and set up the freshmen's two goals with by creating turnovers off the forecheck. Ruegsegger, whose forechecking heroics turned a 1-1 game into a 3-1 lead in the second period, had a goal and two assists for the series.

"The forecheck, we've really been trying to get in there," Ruegsegger said. "We knew Bishop would move the puck and come out and play it. We created turnovers and they turned into scoring chances."

DU played the series without sophomore Rhett Rakhshani, who had a team-high 26 assists last season. Rakhshani suffered a concussion last Sunday in an exhibition game and sat out for precautionary reasons. He likely will play Thursday when DU begins a two-game series at Notre Dame.

Last season, freshmen accounted for nearly half of DU scoring, with Trotter, Rakhshani and Ruegsegger finishing first, third and fourth on the team with 110 combined points.

Five freshman forwards, including fourth-liner Dustin Jackson, are replacing Ryan Dingle and Geoff Paukovich - who both signed NHL deals after their junior years - and the graduated J.D. Corbin, Ryan Helgason and Mike Handza.

"We're adjusting pretty well," Maiani said.

Corbin To Begin Pro Career in Avs Rookie Camp

The Colorado Avalanche announced today that it will hold a four-day rookie camp September 8-11 in Centennial, Colorado.
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DU graduate J.D. Corbin is among 27 players will be attending the camp, which includes some of the 2007 draftees along with recently signed prospects.
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“The rookie camp will allow our hockey staff to evaluate the young players on their own before they begin training with the veteran group,” said Avalanche Director of Player Development Craig Billington. “It will also give our prospects additional on-ice sessions with our coaching staff.”

DU Announces Post Season Awards
Fisher Wins MVP, Ruegsegger's GPA Creates Buzz

From: DU Athletics Website

(left) Glenn Fisher capped off a tremendous DU Career by winning the Bill Masterton award as DU's MVP

Senior goaltender Glenn Fisher earned Most Valuable Player honors, while redshirt freshman Brock Trotter, freshman Tyler Ruegsegger and senior alternate captain J.D. Corbin earned two awards each as the University of Denver celebrated its 51st Annual Hockey Awards Evening tonight at The Cable Center on the DU campus.

In addition to honoring Fisher, the Pioneers celebrated their 2006-07 season and said goodbye to seniors Steven Cook, Mike Handza, Ryan Helgason, Danny King, Adrian Veideman, Corbin and Fisher. DU also honored junior Ryan Dingle, who left DU after three seasons when he signed a professional contract with Anaheim on March 27.

Fisher earned the Bill Masterton Memorial Award (MVP) after enjoying his finest season as a Pioneer by leading the team with a 13-9-2 overall record. He established career bests with a 2.32 goals against average and .919 saves percentage. Fisher recorded three shutouts, including back-to-back shutouts against Wisconsin and Michigan Tech, and ended Minnesota's 21-game home unbeaten streak with a 31-save shutout effort on Jan. 19. He stopped a career-high 47 shots in a 4-3 overtime win at St. Cloud State and set a personal best with a shutout minutes streak of 158:03. Fisher was named one of 10 finalists for the inaugural Lowe's Senior CLASS Award for classroom, character and community in addition to performance in the hockey rink during this season.

Trotter earned the Leading Scorer Award and "Star of the Year" Award. He made a successful return to the ice after suffering a season-ending Achilles tendon injury early last season. Trotter became the first DU freshman to lead the team in scoring since Dave Shields in 1986-87 when he netted a team-leading 40 points on 16 goals and 24 assists. He tied for the team lead with 12 multi-point games, including four three-point efforts. Trotter set a career high with three assists in DU's 5-1 win over RPI on Oct. 21. Trotter helped DU to 13 home wins and was named the No. 1 star in three games this season.

Ruegsegger was honored with the Barry Sharp Memorial Award as DU's top freshman and shared the Dr. Art Mason Award as DU's top scholar-athlete with King. Ruegsegger led the Pioneers with a +15 plus/minus rating, while finishing fourth on the team in scoring with 34 points on 15 goals and 19 assists. Ruegsegger netted two points in his collegiate debut against Miami and was named the Red Baron WCHA Rookie of the Week for Jan. 16-22. Ruegsegger tallied a 3.96 GPA in general business this year for the Pioneers, while King earned his second consecutive Dr. Art Mason Award after posting a 3.91 grade-point average in finance and marketing during his senior season.

Corbin earned his second consecutive Dr. Ken Bredesen Award for sportsmanship and first Bob Martin Memorial Award for community service. Corbin committed just two penalties for four minutes and tallied six points on two goals and four assists in 10 games. Corbin missed 30 games this season after suffering a broken leg and ankle injury in practice in October. He made a triumphant return to the lineup when he netted his first career game-winning goal in DU's 4-3 overtime win over Frozen Four participant North Dakota on Feb. 23. Corbin shared the community service award with freshman Brandon Vossberg. Corbin and Vossberg participated in the Skate with the Pioneers event to benefit the Starlight Starbright Foundation and visited local children's hospitals and elementary schools. Corbin and Vossberg volunteered for the D.U. Youth Hockey program, participated in the Qwest Food Drive and made several public appearances on behalf of the Pioneer hockey program.

Sophomore J.P. Testwuide captured the Murray Armstrong Award as DU's most improved player. Testwuide proved to be DU's most versatile player this season. He started the season as a defenseman before combining with Handza and Cook on Denver's top defensive forward line. He contributed three assists and finished third on the team with 63 penalty minutes.

Veideman was honored with the Dr. Ralph Verploeg Award as DU's most inspirational player. Veideman led the Pioneers to their sixth consecutive 21-win season and a fourth-place finish in the WCHA. The Sicamous, British Columbia, native scored 13 points on three goals and 10 assists, while recording three multi-point games. Veideman missed four games after suffering a concussion against Colorado College, but returned in time to lead the Pioneers to their 12th Wells Fargo Denver Cup championship in 15 seasons.

Sophomore Chris Butler earned the Keith Magnuson Memorial Award as DU's top defensive player. Butler earned honorable mention All-USCHO All-America honors after scoring 27 points on 10 goals and 17 assists. He earned Ice Breaker Invitational and Wells Fargo Denver Cup All-Tournament honors, while leading DU with 110 blocked shots. Butler tied for second among WCHA defensemen with 20 points and seven goals in league play. He earned Red Baron WCHA Defensive Player of the Week honors for Oct. 9-15.

DU Faculty Athletics Representative Dr. Nancy Sampson recognized DU's 10 All-WCHA Academic honorees. Zach Blom, Butler, Cook, Corbin, Fisher, Helgason, King, sophomore Patrick Mullen, Testwuide and junior alternate captain Andrew Thomas were all honored for earning a 3.0 GPA or better this season. In addition, Blom, Cook, Corbin, Fisher and King were recognized for winning WCHA Scholar-Athlete Awards for GPA's of 3.5 or better.

DU Lands 10 Players On WCHA All-Academic Team

MADISON, Wis. - The University of Denver placed 10 of the 88 student-athletes on the 2006-07 All-WCHA Academic Team, announced today by the league office. Fifty of the 88 student-athletes are repeat honorees from last season.

Representing the Pioneers were junior Zach Blom, sophomore Chris Butler, senior Steven Cook, senior J.D. Corbin, senior Glenn Fisher, senior Ryan Helgason, senior Danny King, sophomore Patrick Mullen, sophomore J.P. Testwuide and junior Andrew Thomas. Blom, Cook, Corbin, Fisher, Helgason, King and Thomas are repeat selections for the Pioneers.

"On behalf of the entire membership of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, I want to commend each and every one of these 88 student-athletes for their outstanding academic accomplishments," said Commissioner Bruce M. McLeod. "They can take a great deal of pride in the fact that they have excelled both in the classroom while also competing at the highest level of collegiate athletics."

To earn a position on the annual All-WCHA Academic Team, member-team student-athletes must meet the following criteria: 1) have completed at least one year of residency at present institution prior to the current academic year; 2) have a grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale) for the previous two semesters or three quarters, or may qualify if his overall grade point average is at least 3.00 for all terms at his present institution. The conference has recognized an All-WCHA Academic Team each season since the league instituted the honor beginning in 1984-85.

DU's Tournament Hopes Hang By A Sliver

From: Denver Post
by Mike Chambers

Travel plans for the University of Denver hockey team are on indefinite hold. Although discussing next season might seem premature for fans clinging to hope that the Pioneers will make the NCAA Tournament and play next week at the Pepsi Center's West Regional, realistically it's time to look ahead.

And the future is bright despite the disappointment of a season-ending slide. Assuming that three professional-caliber players return, the 2007-08 team could be among the best in coach George Gwozdecky's 13-year tenure. This season's top eight scorers and nine of the top 10 are scheduled to return, and junior goalie Peter Mannino, the 2005 Frozen Four MVP, could finally have goalie duties all to himself.

The Pioneers have just one senior defenseman in captain Adrian Veideman, and with the exception of winger J.D. Corbin and goalie Glenn Fisher, the rest of DU's seven-member senior class are role players.

However, after losing Brett Skinner, Matt Carle and Paul Stastny early to the pros over the past two years, it would not be surprising if DU loses more underclassmen. The biggest flight risks are Mannino, sophomore defenseman Chris Butler and junior center Ryan Dingle. Mannino (2.19 goals-against average) and Dingle (22 goals) are undrafted free agents, so they can negotiate with any NHL team. Butler's rights are owned by the Buffalo Sabres, who chose him in the fourth round in 2005.

Butler, 20, leads DU in ice time, blocked shots and points by a defenseman. He grew up in St. Louis with Stastny, who left DU last summer after his sophomore season.

"If last summer was an indication of how the NHL was going to approach the new (collective bargaining agreement), every team that has a draft pick, or considers a free agent a top prospect, is going to look at possibly pursuing these kids," Gwozdecky said. "We'll just have to wait out the NHL season, and the playoffs, and see what happens."

Survival scenario

DU could receive the No. 4 seed at the West Regional if the following events take place:

* Wisconsin beats Michigan Tech in the WCHA Final Five play-in game Thursday, but the Badgers fail to win the league tournament.

* St. Lawrence, seeded No. 1 in the ECACHL, and Michigan State, No. 3 in the CCHA, both lose two games in their respective tournaments.

* Dartmouth, Quinnipiac and Lake Superior State don't win their tournaments.

Thanks For A Terrific Season

Firstly and most important I want to say thank you to the Seniors. They were a part of two incredible National Championships. I often said, "If DU never won another game after Boston, I'd still owe a debt of gratitude to the players who were involved with that experience." Obviously they've tested that philospophy, but I mean it.

Thanks to Seniors Veideman, Handza, Helgason, Corbin & Cook who ALWAYS played their hearts out, often with injuries. We can't thank them enough. These guys made so many sacrifices for the Program, while others got the glory.

Thanks to Glenn Fisher who was always MONEY in the Third Period and leaves DU with one of the best winning percentages of any goaltender who played here.

And to Danny King, two rings & All-WCHA Academic Team multiple times. I'd still take King over Brett Sterling any day.

In reality the death bell tolled for this team when we lost 3-0 to CC last week. With everything on the line and so much to play for, DU couldn't answer the challange. For the first time in four years, extraordinary effort couldn't get the job done.

When you look at the second and third period last night and you see the effort extended trying to fulfill their dreams and make it to Pepsi Center, it breaks your heart. These kids wanted it badly and missed the prize by one or two wins.

This is a team that won four games in overtime. They won or tied FIVE games in the last 10 seconds of regulation or overtime. Simply amazing. The team deserved a better fate than this.

Finally to the DU fans, some of who have spent hundreds and hundreds of dollars to buy Regional tickets that are now basically worthless. You deserve more, but hopefully DU will make the Frozen Four next season and the "investment' will be worth it in the long run.
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It was an incredible season and everyone associated with the Program deserves props. I don't care if they win or lose only that they play hard. This team played their guts out repeatedly all season long, particularly during the last ten games of the season. They just weren't good enough and thats not a crime. They've introduced thousands of new fans to college hockey in Denver and revitialized the Program. Tough way to end the season but thanks again to everyone.

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And oh yeah. CC still SUCKS...

Wisconsin Thumps DU 3-2

Box Score

(left) Ryan Dingle has scored four goals against the Badgers this season

DENVER -Wisconsin's Jake Dowell tallied the game-winner with 4:24 remaining in the third period to propel the Badgers (16-17-4) to a 3-2 victory over the No. 10/11 Denver Pioneers (21-14-4) in the opening game of their WCHA first-round playoff series tonight before a crowd of 5,196 at Magness Arena. The Pioneers received goals from Ryan Dingle and J.D. Corbin and Peter Mannino made 34 saves in the defeat.

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"The way we stepped on the ice and how we performed in the first period was unexpected and out of character, " Denver head coach George Gwozdecky said. "We responded a little bit in the second period, but our guys have to understand that this is the playoffs and every play is critical."

Wisconsin got off to a quick start with two goals in the first period. Joe Piskula gave the visitors a 1-0 lead on an unassisted tally at 14:33, followed by a Ben Street rebound effort off a Kyle Klubertanz shot from the high slot at 17:44.

The Pioneers evened the game with a pair of tallies during an action-packed second period. DU made it a 2-1 game on Dingle's team-leading 22nd goal of the season at the 5:14 mark. Brock Trotter swooped in along the right wing and carried the puck around the back of Wisconsin's goal before feeding Dingle, who one-timed a shot from just inside the left faceoff circle. Corbin evened the score at 15:44 when his shot from the sideboards deflected off a Badger defenseman and slipped past UW netminder Brian Elliott (23 saves).

Clarion Looks At DU-CC Rivialry

"We don't like them & they don't like us." - Paukovich

From: DU Clarion Student Newspaper

by Brooks Kirchheimer

For many, the Colorado College v. DU hockey rivalry may not be in the same category as the Yankees vs. Red Sox, Duke vs. North Carolina and many other historic rivalries, but for players and fans alike, it means quite a lot."
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CC is the best series of the whole year, at the beginning and end of the year. It is definitely the most fun to play in. The atmosphere is great and it is a fun time of the season," said senior J.D. Corbin.
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The Pioneer and Tiger rivalry datesback to the 1949-1950 season, which was DU's first season of college hockey. Denver owns a 151-101-9 record against the in-state rivals and has outscored the Tigers 1,242 to 1,059. Also, the Pioneers have gone 7-4-1 in the last 12 meetings including going 3-0-1 against CC last season. "Being from Denver, it is probably the thing I look forward to the most. I used to watch the series when I was little and it is for bragging rights in the state. We don't like them, they don't like us. It is such a great rivalry," said junior Geoff Paukovich.

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Head Coach George Gwozdecky's favorite game of the rivalry and a game he says helped kick start interest in college hockey in the state of Colorado occurred during the '95- '96 season. It was just Gwozdecky's second season as head coach at DU and the Pioneers defeated then No. 1 CC 3-2 in not a NCAA Frozen Four game or regular season game, but in the Denver Cup. The game was held at McNichols Arena and sold out with over 16,000 screaming fans in attendance. "That really told me what a great rivalry it was and it was a great experience for me," said the 13th year coach.

It is not only about pride and bragging rights, but also about the Gold Pan trophy which has been a part of the rivalry since the days when CC used to play at The Broadmoor Arena. "Gold Pan on the line. We have had it ever since I have been here and we don't want to lose it," said Paukovich.

For some Pioneers, the Gold Pan has always been in the lovely confines of Magness Arena. "This rivalry means a whole lot. I mean, we won the Gold Pan freshman year and we have had it ever since, these next two games coming up our huge for my pride and huge for the program," said senior Adrian Veideman.

The rivalry has not only taken place on the ice, but it is always a heated battle between fans whether at Magness Arena or down at the World Arena in Colorado Springs. There have been fights between fans in concourses, Tigers with nooses around their neck and T-shirts making fun of the other team. "It has gotten better; I think the rivalry from my standpoint has gotten better. I have learned more about it and been able to appreciate it more and more importantly I think both teams have become more competitive over the past six or seven years, in the league and nationally," said Gwozdecky.

One main example of that would be when DU and CC met in the first round of the Frozen Four in 2005. The Pioneers won 6 to 2 and went on to win their second straight NCAA title. "I think 2005 NCAA Frozen Four semifinals [is] probably my highlight of playing CC, but it is always fun playing those guys, because of the high tempo and intensity," said Veideman.

This weekend will be no different; there will be crazy student sections, loud cheers, dismantled Tigers and a battle for a brand new Gold Pan trophy. "We are going to funnel all of our attention into that Friday night game here and see if we can get ourselves a chance to be playing for all the marbles on Saturday night," said Gwozdecky.

DU Looks To Amp Up Special Teams

From: Rocky Mountain News
by Pat Rooney

(left) Coach Owens was spotting purchasing a copy of "Hockey Drills for Passing & Receiving" by George Gwozdecky at Barnes & Noble in the Springs on Monday morning

DENVER - The University of Denver hockey team still is in command of its fate in regard to securing the third place in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association.
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A resurgence by DU's dormant power-play units certainly will help finally land that coveted No. 3 seed, which allows teams to avoid the play-in game at the WCHA Final Five.
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The Pioneers' split against North Dakota was enough to maintain third place and keep DU ensconced in the NCAA tournament picture heading into its regular-season closing home-and-home series this week against Front Range rival Colorado College.

DU, which has encountered sporadic trouble on the power play throughout the season, went 0- for-11 with a man advantage against North Dakota and has scored only three power-play goals in 31 opportunities during the past five games.

"If I can critique any part of our game, the No. 1 area that we struggle with and has to be more effective is the power play," DU coach George Gwozdecky said.

"When you get down to this time of year, the majority of games will be decided on special teams."

DU cannot finish better than third but could finish as low as fifth. CC has endured a tailspin that includes four consecutive losses and a six-game winless streak and is fighting for home ice in the first round of the WCHA tournament. The Tigers remain desperate to solidify their stature on the NCAA bubble.
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Notes: With the return of senior forward J.D. Corbin from a four-month layoff, Gwozdecky moved sophomore Patrick Mullen from forward to defense against the Fighting Sioux. Given DU's tenuous depth along the blue line, Mullen might remain there the rest of the season.

DU Needs To Build Momentum

From: Denver Post
by Mike Chambers

(left) DU's Rhett Rakhshani, looks to clear the puck from deep in the Pioneers' zone as North Dakota's Robbie Bina closes in Saturday night in Denver

The University of Denver hockey team is in good position to qualify for the NCAA Tournament, but a glaring weakness suggests the Pioneers won't advance to the Frozen Four.

Making it to the national semifinals requires two weekend victories at regionals, and DU has not swept a two-game series in its past five weekends - and past six weekends against Western Collegiate Hockey Association foes.

The most recent sweep for the sixth-ranked Pioneers, who are eighth in the all-important Pairwise Rankings, came the weekend before Christmas at Alaska-Anchorage. Their most recent nonconference sweep occurred in the second week of January against Niagara.

"It's a concern," DU captain Adrian Veideman said after last weekend's 4-3 overtime win and 3-0 loss to North Dakota. "We're lacking a little bit of focus from game to game. But I think the freshmen and sophomores realize now that it's time to go six periods over a weekend, and not just four or five."

DU's three major goals are to retain state bragging rights over Colorado College, advance to the WCHA Final Five (March 15-17 in St. Paul, Minn.) and make it to the Frozen Four (April 5-7 in St. Louis).

Meeting each of those requires two weekend wins, beginning with the upcoming home-and-home series against CC to finish the regular season.

The Tigers pinned DU with its only two weekend losses this season, winning 5-1 and 3-2 in early December, and will take ownership of the new Gold Pan traveling trophy with at least a tie this weekend.

"Pretty much for the rest of the year we have to win twice on a weekend," DU's Patrick Mullen said. "That's all we talk about, being more consistent."

DU is assured of hosting a WCHA first-round, best-of- three series March 9-11. At stake will be advancement to the prestigious Final Five at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.

The Pioneers, if they qualify, are guaranteed to play at the West Regional on March 24-25 at the Pepsi Center.

CC is still hoping to clinch home ice for the WCHA tournament and rally to make the 16-team NCAA field. The Tigers, on a four-game losing streak and winless in their past six, have fallen to a three-way tie for 13th in the Pairwise.

Footnotes
Colorado natives accounted for each of DU's four goals last weekend. They came from Ryan Dingle (Steamboat Springs), Tyler Ruegsegger (Lakewood), Geoff Paukovich (Englewood) and J.D. Corbin (Littleton)....

Corbin's Return Has Storybook Ending

From: Denver Post
by Mike Chambers


(left) Ryan Dingle started his first game at wing this season and was flying all around Magness Arena

The game ended in storybook fashion.

Adding to the overtime drama of winning a crucial game at home Friday night was the fact University of Denver co-captain and Littleton native J.D. Corbin was the difference.

Corbin, who returned to the lineup after missing 30 games with leg and ankle injuries, scored 2:18 into overtime to propel the Pioneers to a 4-3 come-from-behind victory over North Dakota at Magness Arena.

Off an offensive faceoff won by DU's Mike Handza, Corbin redirected a shot from defenseman Adrian Veideman past goalie Philippe Lamoureux. Another Colorado native, junior Geoff Paukovich of Englewood, tied the game at 3-3 early in the third period, and Steamboat's Ryan Dingle and Lakewood's Tyler Ruegsegger also scored for DU in an impressive offensive showing from Colorado-bred players.

Corbin, playing in just his fifth game of the season, declined to discuss what his first goal of his senior season meant from a personal standpoint. "All I care about is the win," he said. "It's playoff time, and to get a win like that is great. It's really big for us."

The victory was DU's first when they trailed after two periods, and it snapped the Fighting Sioux's NCAA-best 11- game unbeaten streak. It also increased the Pioneers' lead from one to three points over North Dakota in the WCHA.

5 DU Players Named As WCHA Scholar Athletes

Five DU players were honored as WCHA Scholar-Athletes for achieving a 3.5 GPA during the 2005-06 academic year:
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Zach Blom (Englewood)

Steven Cook (Denver)

JD Corbin (Denver)

Glenn Fisher (Edmonton)

Danny King (Colorado Springs)

DU Stuns Nodaks In Overtime

Box Score

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(left) Rhett Rakhshani fights for the puck against the University of North Dakota on Friday night

DENVER - After missing the last 30 games due to injury, J.D. Corbin notched the game-winning goal 2:18 into overtime to propel the No. 7 Denver Pioneers to a 4-3 victory over No. 8 North Dakota in a crucial WCHA contest before a sellout crowd of 6, 117 at Magness Arena. Ryan Dingle, Tyler Ruegsegger and Geoff Paukovich also notched a goal apiece for the Pioneers and senior goaltender Glenn Fisher recorded 20 saves as DU snapped its three-game winless streak while also bringing North Dakota's 11-game unbeaten streak to a halt.

The Pioneers overcame a stellar performance from North Dakota's top line of Ryan Duncan, Jonathan Toews and T.J. Oshie, who combined for three goals and six assists.

At nearly the midway point of the extra frame, Mike Handza won a faceoff cleanly back to Adrian Veideman (Sicamous, British Columbia) in DU's zone. Veideman fired a shot toward North Dakota's net, and Corbin was able to get enough of a tip to redirect the shot past UND goaltender Philippe Lamoureux (38 saves).

"You saw two pretty good teams going at it tonight," said Denver head coach George Gwozdecky. "We got a big draw win from Mike Handza and a great shot from the point. It may have been a lucky bounce, but I think you make your own luck. We deserved the win and really earned that bounce."

The Fighting Sioux got on the board first at 17:41 when Duncan fed a pass across the goalmouth to Oshie, who buried a shot before Fisher could slide across the crease.

DU struck back before the end of the first period when Dingle netted his team-leading 20th goal of the season. Ryan Helgason (Woodbury, Minn.) fought off two UND defenders in DU's offensive zone before slipping a pass into the slot to Dingle, who shelved a backhand over Lamoureux's left shoulder at 19:18.

Ruegsegger gave DU a 2-1 lead when he netted the 14th goal of his freshman campaign at 6:57 of the second period. Dingle led a 2-on-1 rush toward the North Dakota goal before firing a shot from the right faceoff circle that was stopped by Lamoureux. Ruegsegger corralled the rebound on the far side of the goal and fired the puck past Lamoureux, who couldn't recover in time.

UND's Oshie and Duncan again teamed up to tie the game, with Duncan being the benefactor this time on a power-play tally at 12:52. Toews then gave the Sioux a 3-2 advantage at 16:14 off assists from Duncan and Oshie.

The Pioneers evened the game, 3-3, at the 2:18 mark of the third period when Tom May walked around a UND defender and fed a pass to Paukovich, who knocked the puck home from the doorstep to account for the last goal in regulation.

DU outshot UND by a 42-23 margin. The Fighting Sioux finished 1-of-3 on the power play, while the Pioneers went 0-5 with a man advantage.

The two teams will meet again tomorrow night at Magness Arena at 7:07 p.m.

Notes: Tonight marked the first time all season that the Pioneers won a game when trailing after two periods. DU came into the game with a 0-9 record when entering the third period with a deficit ... Dingle's multi-point game was his first since Jan. 13 in a 5-2 victory over Niagara University ... Prior to the start of the game a moment of silence was observed for long-time DU Board of Trustee member Phil Hogue, who passed away on Feb. 20 at age 71 after a battle with leukemia.