Rocky Mountain Pond Hockey Championships

Hanging out in Vail and playing Pond Hockey all day with your buddies. Sound like fun. The event will kick off in a couple of weeks with youth and adult tournaments.

Several DU hockey alums have formed teams.

Vail Pond Hockey Photo Gallery

Located in the heart of Colorado, the Vail Valley - The Rocky Mountain Pond Hockey Championships (RMPHC) is a celebration of hockey in the truest sense, and your participation makes this celebration unique among all other hockey tournaments. By participating you will be a part of a select group of hockey players, players that play for the love of the game.

The RMPHC is being presented as an event to bring together players and teams from across the Rocky Mountain region and beyond. Every hockey player that ever laced up a pair of skates and went out onto the "pond" knows that feeling when the blade cuts into the ice and a cool breeze hits your face. The years may have past, but that feeling is still there, just waiting to be awakened with the first stride across a clear sheet of outdoor ice. The games will be like old times on the pond, with a fire lit on the side to keep warm and a warming house just waiting for the post game chatter.

You also will have the satisfaction in knowing that the success of your team and the success of this event will benefit local youth hockey programs in our area. It is called " giving back to the game" and your support will help many children learn to love the game of hockey the way you have all these years.

So be ready to lace up the skates, put on the extra t-shirt under that old jersey, and be ready to be a part of the Rocky Mountain Pond Hockey Championships.

DU Legend & Campus Lounge Owner Jim Wiste

(above) DU Alum Jim Wiste pictured with Joanie at the Snoopy Senior Hockey Tournament this summer is Santa Rosa, California

Editor's Note: As a lead-in to the upcoming 60th anniversary celebration of Denver Pioneers hockey, LetsGoDU begins a four-part series comprised of stories coming out of last month’s Snoopy Tournament in Santa Rosa, CA in which the DU alumni team successfully defended their Marcie (60A) Division championship.

In this first installment, Jim Wiste (DU '69) shares his insights with Hockeys Future writer D.J. Powers on a variety of topics including playing for the legendary Murray Armstrong, current head coach George Gwozdecky, and how he came to own one of the DU hockey community’s favorite gathering spots, the Campus Lounge. The "Campus" located near DU, is annually ranked as one of the best Neighborhood Bars in Denver by Westword.

Exclusive to LetsGoDU
By DJ Powers

Q: Let’s start off with DU Hockey's upcoming 60th Reunion Celebration. Are you planning to be there and what are some of your thoughts about it?

JW: Oh yes! I think it’s going to be fantastic. It’s 60 years when hockey started in Denver. A guy by the name of Doug McKinnon is going to drop the first puck. He was DU’s first captain. I think there are two players from the original team that I think was in ’49. There were seven coaches and I think there are seven NCAAs (championships). I think it’s going to be great for the university and great for the players to come back. We had a 50-year reunion obviously ten years ago and now this is our 60th year. I don’t know if there’ll ever be another one just because all of the coaches may not be alive much longer that have coached (over the years).

Q: How did you come to play for the University of Denver?

JW: Well, in those days it was really surprising because Murray was the only person that recruited that also coached. He would look in the papers to see who was doing well and then he would maybe make an appointment to see your parents. He made one trip up to Saskatchewan and would come into my living room and sit down. Then he would say to my father “you know, if he were my son this is what I would suggest that he should do.” (Laughs) You know, he kind of hurt the university because his recruiting budget was probably only about 3,4, or 500 dollars and he drove everywhere. Back then it was a handshake. You didn’t sign a Letter of Intent. I didn’t know if I had scholarship until I came down and found out that I was in the dorms and that my books were free. So I thought ‘oh, maybe I have a scholarship.’ But now, it’s like everything else. Now, they make big thing out of a (player) signing with all of the legality of it and other teams trying to get somebody. But back then it wasn’t anything complicated. So it was just Murray saying that he wants a player on his team and he tells him. Other than that, it wasn’t anything fancy.

Q: What was it like playing for Murray?

JW: Well, Murray was kind of a legend in his own time because he had good teams and was the best motivator that I’ve ever seen. I played pro for ten years and I’d never seen a better motivator. Murray could motivate you. He was a salesman in his younger days and he could sell you. He would grab you by the hand as you walked out of the dressing room before a really important game and he would look into your eyes, be spitting into your face and say “good luck to you, son.” Then you would go out there and as we (players) used to say the piss is running down your leg during the national anthem, so you’d better be ready for the game. When Murray motivated you, he was good at motivating you. They only had one coach, so it was hard to teach a lot of players. We worked on fundamentals and did skating drills and different other things, which were really important, but not like it is now. They have film that they can break down everything and they can tell you if your little pinky is out of joint. I don’t know if that’s good or bad, but you can back it up.

Murray was also respected. Out of respecting him, you worked hard for him. He was a man’s man. I think he was honest with his players and he worked you hard. Now I think the players have got it so soft. But I think the players today will tell you that they have a broader variety of things to do. They’ll do weight programs and running and so forth, whereas we were just mainly on the ice.

Q: What were some of the best things that Murray had taught you that you were able to take with you and apply to yourself as both a hockey player and as an individual?

JW: I think the integrity for being an honest person. He always used to have this saying that you could look yourself in the mirror in the morning when you’re shaving and you’ve given your best. That’s kind of one of the sayings that he had. There’s a book out that somebody wrote on Murray’s sayings because he always had these sayings. Like if you got hurt, he would always say ‘tape an aspirin to it. It’s a long way from your heart. You’re ok.’ And these were things that we all put into our repertoire and still say to each other. If you had a question, Murray would say ‘honest to God, Jim?’ George (Gwozdecky) has done a great job with the players too, but they’re two different eras. And people try to compare the two and you can’t. George has got to have guys out there looking for new players. He has to have help. Murray couldn’t have done this.

Q: What are some of the similarities do you personally see between Murray and George?

JW: I think George has great respect by his players. He has great character and doesn’t put up with anything if there’s a problem. The team comes first to him, and Murray was like that too. Actually they’re both kind of a lot alike in a way. George has made a name for himself, won some NCAAs (championships), and has been one of the top five coaches (in the NCAA) for about the last four or five years. It’s hard to come into the situation that he did after Murray Armstrong, who was here for 25 years. But George has made his own niche and I think winning those championships were important. So I think George and Murray are lot alike in their characters.

Q: Obviously not any player can play at DU. It takes a special type of player that could not only play at DU but also succeed there. Players who’ve come here such as Rhett Rakhshani and Tyler Ruegsegger, and even recent former players like Gabe Gauthier and Adam Berkhoel had not only the talent, but have (or had) the character that made them fit so well into the DU system. In terms of character, how are these players similar to those that played at DU when you were there?

JW: I’m fortunate to be able to skate with them. I met Rhett Rakshani and can see why he’s the captain. Mark Rycroft when he was here at DU was like him (Rakhshani) too. So they’re no different from the players that played for Murray. The same kind of guys that play for George played for Murray. Both are character people, as well as other guys like J.P. Testwuide. It’s a fraternity and in those guys, you can see that they pick it up. Just looking at their skills on the ice, you can tell that they’re way better than we were. But we never got a chance to meet them through the old-timers hockey. When you look at a player on the ice, they’ve got a helmet on and a mask. And you hardly recognize them until their senior year. And now we get to see them in the dressing room. George has a deal where he’d have alumni come in and talk to the team. You ask him what he wants you to talk and he would say whatever you want. And he’d even open the door up. And we’ve all done that. Alot of the players (that are alumni) have. So I think that’s pretty good on George’s part that he would take the chance on allowing us to talk about anything to the team that we wanted, whether it be what it’s like to be a freshman or anything about hockey or about life. I think the players always enjoyed it because a lot of the older guys would have things to say. And I give George credit because that’s like saying ‘come into my bedroom and you can say what you want.’ He wasn’t afraid to open the door. That shows me that he is self-sufficient with his own operation. When you can say that, you’re not hiding anything because I can walk into the dressing room and say I think this or that. Now George would say ‘say what you want to say. I don’t care what you talk about, just talk about something.’ I’ve had a lot of my other (Snoopy) teammates do it and we’ve all approached it from different angles. Some have approached it on a humorous angle and some have approached it on a serious angle. Well, I think that brings character into it. So I give George credit for that. He’d just look at you and say ‘do what you want to do.’ I’ve talked to them (the team) a couple of times and depending on how well the team is doing or what’s happening, it’s hard to tell them when they’re in first place what they’re doing wrong. Yet when they’re struggling, it’s not my job to tell them what to do right because I’m not their coach, but George has opened up those doors and just told me to say what I want to say.

Q: Let’s shift gears here for a bit and talk about the Campus Lounge. How did that all come about?

JW: Well, when I finished hockey, I had played about ten years, I wanted to do well in something and had no idea. I really hadn’t done anything in ten years, so with my degree I thought it was tough, but I wanted to be my own boss. I’ve always loved the food business, and actually the Whites owned it. John White played for DU and I knew his dad pretty well. One day he skated with us and asked if he ever wanted to sell his business. Each time we skated, I’d talked about it a little more. And the funny thing about it was that I didn’t know a thing about the restaurant business. Maybe it was a good thing because otherwise I probably wouldn’t have bought it. (Laughs) So that’s how I bought it and it’s been 33 years. It’s kind of nice because when I go and watch sports and talk sports, I’m fortunate to do something that I enjoy doing. Sure, there are a lot of tough things, but it’s been good to me. The DU people have been good to me. They’ve frequented my place. The faculty and other sports teams like the Boston Bruins or the Chicago Blackhawks would come in too. So that’s how I got into the business.

Q: I know that you had played professionally for a number of years. So what was it like making that huge jump from college to the pros?

JW: We were probably, and really and truly, the first college players to come out. There were players such as Keith Magnuson, Cliff Koroll, and myself, along with Tony Esposito with Chicago. College players never played in the NHL back then. Now it’s unbelievable. It was good and bad because players would take an extra run at you because you were a “college player” and maybe felt that you weren’t tough enough. They were jealous of you because you had a college education. So we were kind of the pioneers of that. I’m proud of that. Now you look down the roster and there’s I don’t know how many college kids that are in the NHL. It’s unbelievable. But we were really the first to come out. I think college players are more dedicated and I think they have a vision of what they want to do. I’m not downgrading the other guys, but that’s how much college hockey has come along too. Like when DU starts each year, they may have eight freshmen coming in and by the senior year they may have two or three because the rest have all turned pro already. So that shows the quality that they have and things like that. So we were kind of the pioneers on that end. I remember going to Chicago’s camp. We trained before we even went to camp and the other pros didn’t. We were in better shape and focused on what we were doing a little more. Now all of the pros do that. Maybe we helped them in a way that they didn’t know about because it’s an all-year job now. In the old days, you went to camp thinking that you could get into shape in about two or three weeks. Now these guys are practicing all the time.

Q: As an outsider, I have the opportunity to look at how you guys interact with one another both at the rink and away from it. And while all of you are friends and come from different mothers, you’re all brothers too.

JW: Well there’s an old saying that if you can’t be yourself around your friends, then they’re not your friends. If I can’t say what I want to say around my friends, then they’re not my friends. I might say the wrong things, but I can do it. Who else can I do it around? Who will forgive me or who will help me? So a lot of people look at us and say ‘you guys are kind of honest with each other.’ We’ll look at each other and say you’ve got this wrong in a joking way or you might say ‘you’re being an ass.’ (Laughs) So that’s the biggest compliment that you can pay your friends is to be yourself among them. And you know, it doesn’t come overnight. You have to gain that respect or have that respect to give. So I think we’ve done that and it’s carried on. At least I hope it has carried on. There have been a couple of hiccups along the way, but how can you have a program that doesn’t? When you’re on top, there’s nowhere to go but down a little bit. DU has been picked first this year and that’s the kiss of death in a way, but you know what? I’d rather be picked first than last. I think that shows the strength of our program too. We all go to the games and we all support them. The reunion is going to be great. I think it’s always tough too because we’re all at that part in our lives where we’re going to lose a few each year. So that’s tough.

Q: Would you say that “family” is a more generally accurate description of the team, especially in the way you guys support one another?

JW: Oh yeah, and we all are. We’re sitting there tonight, playing in the over-60 group, we all know that we can’t do the things that we used to do, but we’re just sitting there cheering each other on. If a guy gets hurt, we’re all concerned. We’re friends and we’re here because of that. There’s still that competitiveness. You can’t lose that because let’s face it you still want to win. If you can look into mirror and say that I gave it my best, then that’s all that matters. Even when I played pro, I remember one of the older pros that was our goalie say to me after we had been beaten 7-2, “I played the best that I could.” And I thought, he was right. He tried his best and did his best. If don’t play your best, then you’ve got a problem. Maybe you could say that I could’ve been in better shape or more prepared. But those go on in life and in business. So be prepared and be there. Hockey is no different than running a business. You’ve got to be organized and have leadership and do a lot of things, so those things carry on. I think they’re important. I’m fortunate enough to be here talking to you and say that I’m a Pioneer and I’m proud of it.

Q: In your personal opinion, how would define a Denver Pioneers hockey player?

JW: I would like to define him as dedicated, sincere, honest, hard working, and compatible with other people. Maybe we would like to have everything but we can’t. But I think a lot of those qualities are maybe 80 percent of what they are because if he isn’t then all the other guys would give him a hard time. Like maybe we would have a guy that’s a little bit of problem and we would all say ‘c’mon, you have to lighten up.’ (Laughs) We would govern ourselves. We’ve always done that. I think they still do that. So when you bump into a guy and if he’s a Pioneer, then he’s your friend. And if he needs help, you help him. If he needs some advice, then you give him some advice. And I think it’s sincere. So those are the things that you look upon as a Pioneer.

Q: What was the greatest memory that you took from your time at DU?

JW: I think winning an NCAA championship was a great memory. But I don’t like to say that everything is about winning because I know some guys that didn’t win. They always say that you’ve won an NCAA championship. That’s not really it. I think the friendships with guys like Cliff Koroll, Keith Magnuson and the guys that I met that I went to school with is a great memory. And it’s not just in hockey either. The people that I’ve met when my life changed and I couldn’t mention them all was the best thing that I’ve gotten out of it. So if you asked what the biggest thrill from hockey, I’d say winning the NCAA championship. They always say that what you can go back to is priceless, which are the friendships that we formed. And we’re all still good friends.

DU Alum Plans To Watch Hockey At Wrigley Field

(left) Former NHL player and DU Alum Cliff Koroll

From: NHL.com

As a young Chicago Blackhawks rookie during the 1969-1970 season, DU Alum Cliff Koroll filled the very big skates of Kenny Wharram as the right wing to Hawks legend Stan Mikita. Koroll scored a hat trick early that year and he went to not only play alongside Mikita but roomed with him for more than a decade.

Both Mikita and Koroll were at Wrigley Field Tuesday. Mikita to talk up the Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic with the media and Koroll to take a spin on skates around the rink.

"I wasn't originally going to come to the game because of the cold weather," said Koroll. "I'm getting my hip replaced Monday [Jan. 5] and didn't want to catch a cold or flu bug or anything, to mess up the surgery."

What changed his mind? Koroll said a friend offered him a spot in a suite that promises to be warm. He jumped a the chance to watch the new Hawks play.

"It's been a fantastic turnaround for this [Chicago] team in such s short time," said Koroll, who spent 21 seasons with the Hawks as a player, assistant coach and front office executive before moving on to a successful business career as a supplier for McDonald's. "This team is fun to watch."

Koroll looked smooth on the ice for a guy with a painful hip. He was even giving skating lesson to the "The Hockey Show" host Carrie Millbank.

"The Winter Classic is such a great event for the Hawks and our city," said Koroll. "I love it here. I moved to Chicago when I graduated from college [University of Denver] and never left.

DU Athletics Hall Of Fame Ceremony Recap

(above) The 2008 Inductees into the DU Athletics Hall of Fame

From: DU Clarion

by Arianna Ranahosseini

On Thursday, over 20 student-athletes joined with alumni and the DU community to induct four individuals and the 1957-58 hockey team into the University of Denver Athletic Hall of Fame to kick off Homecoming weekend.

As the Denver Spirit Squad welcomed DU alumni, the Pioneer Pep Band played the fight song and DU's student-athletes and coaches, old and new, gathered to honor Denver's athletic program.

The event was held at the Westin Tabor Center downtown.

"It's a great honor to be a part of the Hall of Fame ceremony," senior swimmer and Student Athlete Advisory Council member Blake Worsley said. "It's exciting to see all these people getting inducted. They serve as role models to me. All of the athletes obviously dream of being in the Hall of Fame, so it's nice to be a part of this beforehand." [read rest of article]

1957-58 Team Honored At Hall of Fame Dinner

(above) DU's 1958 National Championship team

Dick Hilker's article on 1957-58 Team

Four distinguished individuals and the 1957-58 hockey team became the 12th class of the University of Denver Athletic Hall of Fame Thursday night in a ceremony at the Westin Tabor Center in downtown Denver. The event kicks off homecoming week at DU, with the hockey team hosting Ohio State Friday and Saturday in Magness Arena. [read rest of article]

Former Player Update: George Morrison

(above) George Morrison scored 70 goals and 45 assists in 64 games at DU

George Morrison scored DU's second goal of the game in the 1969 National Championship contest against Cornell. The 4-3 victory is considered to be one of the greatest in DU hockey history for several reasons. It came against Cornell goaltender Ken Dryden, it was Murray Armstrong's last championship and it was Keith Magnuson's final game at DU.

Today George Morrison is battling a brain tumor, but his daughter Sloane wrote to LetsGoDU and said that George was "thrilled to hear of all the support and love," when we reported on his illness last month. She asked if we were interested in some photos from George's playing days at DU.....Are you kidding? We'd be honored to post them.

Get well George. Pioneer Nation is still cheering for you. And Sloane, thanks for sharing the picture and updating us.

Murray Armstrong, Aged 92, Still Playing Golf

(above) A signed note from Murray Armstrong appears on a sports collectors blog

(above) Armstrong played for the NHL Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Americans & Detroit Red Wings before coming to DU and building the most dominant college hockey program in the country

We found a sports memorabilia blog, Jeescy's IP and TTM autographs, that had autographed photos of former DU coach Murray Armstrong's NHL days and a hand written note from Murray.

"The Chief" noted in June, that despite not seeing as well as he used, to he still plays golf three days a week in Florida.

More Photos From The Penrose Library Archives

(above) Goaltender Lucian Carignan makes a save while #3 Rod Summers and #10 Dave Gourlie defend during the 1987-88 season

(above) Coach Gwozdecky addresses the team before the championship game of the Norwest Denver Cup (January 1, 2000). Maine won 4-3.

(above) DU players (left to right) George Konik, Marty Howe and Bill Masterton pose after winning the MacNaughton Cup in 1961

More DU hockey photos were uncovered yesterday. The University of Denver's is is in the process of digitizing its historical athletics photos in the Special Collections Department for use on the internet. The link above contains additional photos.

DU Library Digitallizing Classic Hockey Photos

(above) Legendary DU Coach Murray Armstrong won five National Championships. Also in photo Tom Zajac (foreground) and Lindsay Thomson (background)

(above) A Russian player is helped to the locker room during DU's 4-4 tie on Jan. 10, 1959

(above) The DU ice hockey team poses for a portrait around a Packard automobile at Reed Auto Sales on 5901 E. Colfax Ave in Denver. All team members wear uniforms that read: "Tom Reed Auto Sales."

(above) Craig Patrick, Tom Miller, Keith Magnuson & Tim Gould celebrate DU's second straight National Championship in 1969

The University of Denver's Media Relations is is in the process of digitizing its old athletics photos in the Special Collections Department for use on the internet. Check out the link to see dozens more hockey photos.

The photographs were compiled from several sources including the records of the Division of Athletics and Recreation held by the University of Denver Special Collections and Archives. The following image book is a compilation of the University of Denver Men's Ice Hockey photographs and will be added to over time.

Needless to say this is going to be a "Boone" to DU and college hockey buffs.

Note – Some of the attributions are vague and/or contain errors, but many of the captions can probably be updated with the help of the DU Media Guide and other sources.

A Look Back At The 2007 Snoopy Tournament

After the Denver Pioneers victory over the Michigan hockey alums this weekend, several readers wanted to check out last year's coverage of last year's Snoopy Hockey Tournament, so here's the link...

http://letsgodu2.blogspot.com/2007/07/snoopy-senior-world-hockey-tournament.html

Editor's Note: DJ Powers of Hockey's Future was in California last week covering the Snoopy Senior World Hockey Tournament. For the second straight year she agreed to write a series of articles for LetsGoDU about the DU Pioneers, an alumni team made up of former DU players from the Murray Armstrong era. We can't thank DJ enough for her outstanding coverage of the event.

The Tournament was founded by Peanuts creator Charles Schultz in 1975 and brings together hockey players between the ages of 40-75. (Video Link about Tournament)

DU Beats Michigan 3-2 To Win Snoopy Tourney

The Clash of the Titans II
Denver Pioneers vs. Michigan Wolverines

Editor's Note: DJ Powers of Hockey's Future was in California last week covering the Snoopy Senior World Hockey Tournament. For the second straight year she agreed to write a series of articles for LetsGoDU about the DU Pioneers, an alumni team made up of former DU players from the Murray Armstrong era. We can't thank DJ enough for her outstanding coverage of the event.

The Tournament was founded by Peanuts creator Charles Schultz in 1975 and brings together hockey players between the ages of 40-75. (Video Link about Tournament)

Special to LetsGoDU
By DJ Powers

In hockey, it is said that revenge is a dish that is best served cold. For the Denver Pioneers, that dish couldn’t have tasted any sweeter than it did on Sunday morning when they defeated tournament nemesis the Michigan Wolverines to capture the gold medal in the 60A “Marcie” Division by a score of 3-2 (all skaters are over 60 years old).

Every year in the Snoopy Tournament, the Denver/Michigan game has always been one of the best and most hotly contested matches and it was no different this year.

Prior to the game, Denver got some bad news when forward Norm Kvern wasn’t able to go due to a back injury.

The pace of the game was set from the moment that the puck dropped and it wasn’t long after that the intensity level would gradually begin to get ratcheted up.

The first good chance on goal for Denver came about four and half minutes into the opening stanza when Pat Halas went in on a partial breakaway but just couldn’t finish.

Things began to get heated with matching minors being assessed at the 7:57 mark.

When the Wolverines were able to successfully execute their attack into the Pioneers zone, goaltender Tom Jones was there to make sure the puck stayed out. Denver’s stifling defense and aggressive forecheck throughout the game proved to be keys in effectively slowing down Michigan’s speed and limiting their opportunities.

Denver’s offensive attack came in consistent waves throughout the period. However, their inability to finish was becoming problematic. That was compounded by the fact that Michigan got some very good goaltending from Greg Page.

One of the best chances for the Pioneers in the period came at about the midway point when Bill Pettinger’s shot rung off of the crossbar.

While Denver had momentum on their side, it would be Michigan that would draw first blood. Jack Norqual’s shot at the 18:23 mark beat Jones five-hole for the score.

With time winding down in the first period, Denver began to furiously attack the Wolverines net, but Page was there to shut the door, making several outstanding saves.

The second period opened with both teams coming out with good jump. The Wolverines were getting more scoring opportunities but once again the Pioneers defense wouldn’t let up.

As the period progressed towards the midway point, the physical play really began to pick up, particularly with Michigan.

The hard work that the Pioneers had put into their offensive efforts would finally pay off at the 8:27 mark. Tom Miller punched home the rebound for the equalizer.

Denver continued to relentlessly attack the Michigan zone, but Page continued to stand tall in the Wolverines net.

The Pioneers would take the lead at the 14:24 mark. Pettinger drove down the sideboards before cutting in front of the net. After getting to the net, he kept trying to get the puck behind Page, before finally succeeding for the score.

When play resumed, Michigan mounted a fierce attack, getting several good shots on goal, but had nothing to show for it.

At the 19:24 mark, the Wolverines would have the opportunity to get the equalizer on the power play when Miller was called for a trip.

The final period opened with Michigan on the power play for another almost two and a half minutes. [NOTE: Minor penalties in the Snoopy Tournament are three minutes long].

About a minute into the period, a turnover by Michigan nearly proved to be costly when Wayne Wiste got the puck, proceeded to skate up the ice with defenseman Blake Emery hustling to join the rush to create a shorthanded, odd-man situation, but was unable to finish the play.

After successfully killing of the penalty, Denver went back to work on trying to add an insurance goal to maintain the lead. But Michigan wasn’t about to go quietly. The Wolverines continued mounting good offensive attacks only to have the Pioneers’ aggressive forechecking and unyielding defensive play neutralize them. The Wolverines did an excellent job of utilizing their team speed, but the stifling Denver defense gave them little skating room for which to work with.

One of the best opportunities for the Wolverines to tie the game came around the midway point when a shot fired from in close nearly beat Jones. The Pioneers netminder was able to corral the puck just before it crossed the goal line.

Denver would get another opportunity to extend their lead at the 11:56 mark, when Bob Boysen was called for holding the stick.

It took just 23 seconds into the man-advantage for the Pioneers to capitalize, when Miller forced Page to commit first before flipping a shot up and over the Michigan netminder for the score.

Denver would get the opportunity to put the game out of reach when Michigan’s Alex Hood was called for interference at the 14:19 mark.

As well executed as their previous power play was, Denver couldn’t quite get this one to go, thanks in part to some great work by the Michigan defenders.

In a game of this magnitude, bad mistakes in your own zone can be costly, especially while on the power play. And that became quite apparent on Michigan’s next goal. Red Berenson gained possession, then curled in and flipped a beautiful backhander over Jones for the shorthanded tally.

The score was now 3-2 Denver.

With time winding down and the prospect of being unable to successfully defend their gold medal, Michigan began to throw everything at the Denver net in an effort to get the equalizer. With just over a minute left in regulation time, the Wolverines pulled Page for the extra attacker. As the clock ticked down to end the game, the entire Pioneers team did whatever it took to hold on for the win.

And when the final buzzer sounded, it produced two very different scenes on the ice – the jubilation of the Denver Pioneers at one end, and the frustration of the Michigan Wolverines at the other.

BOX SCORE

First Period:
Michigan (1-0) Jack Norqual (Larry Covitz) [18:23]

Second Period:
DU (1-1) Tom Miller (John MacMillan) [8:24]
DU (1-2) Bill Pettinger (Tom Miller, John MacMillan) [14:04]

Third Period:
DU (1-3) Tom Miller [PPG-GWG] (John MacMillan, Bob Brawley) [12:19]
Michigan (2-3) Red Berenson [SHG] (Unassisted) [16:24]

Power Play Conversions:
Michigan: 0-for-2
DU: 1-for-3


DU Snoopy Tournament Notes

Denver’s tournament win over Michigan on Sunday was their first since 2004.

In their three tournament games, Denver outscored their opponents by a combined score of 19-6.

Tom Miller led Denver in overall tournament scoring with nine points (three goals, six assists)

Pat Halas and Bill Pettinger led Denver in tournament goal scoring with five each.

Miller and John MacMillan led Denver in tournament assists with six each.

Norm Kvern and Tom Jones were the only Pioneers held without a point in the tournament.

- DJ Powers Staff Writer - NCAA

Hockey's Future (http://www.hockeysfuture,com/)
Future Considerations (http://www.futureconsiderations.ca/)
[And your humble DU Snoopy Tournament correspondent]

DU 11 Hodgepodge Elite 0 at Snoopy Tourney

The Denver Pioneers vs. The Hodgepodge Elite

Special to Lets Go DU

By DJ Powers

The second game of the Snoopy Tournament for the Denver Pioneers became a one-sided affair against the Hodgepodge Elite. Bill Pettinger and Pat Halas each tallied four goals as the Pioneers crushed the Elite11-0 in the early Saturday morning contest.

The Hodgepodge Elite, made up of a mish-mash of players from other teams in the tournament, had a somewhat different lineup versus Denver than they did in their contest against the University of Michigan 60s on Wednesday.

While the slow pace to start the game was not unexpected, considering the 6am start time, the Pioneers would get things going quickly. It also didn’t take long before the Pioneers got on the board. Just 3:24 in, Halas would get Denver on the board going top-shelf on the Elite goaltender for the score. Norm Kvern drew the lone assist.

Throughout the game, the Pioneers got great goaltending from Tom Jones. While Jones did not see as much rubber as his counterpart at the other end, he did make a number of quality saves when he had to.

Denver’s next goal came at the 7:17 mark, when Pettinger’s shot snuck in underneath the Elite netminder to extend their lead. Tom Miller drew the lone assist.

One of the things that frustrated the Elite throughout the game was the Pioneers’ control of the neutral zone and the blueline. While the Elite did manage to get into Denver’s zone at various times throughout the game, they weren’t able to sustain any real pressure for an extended period of time the way the Pioneers were able to do.

Pettinger and Miller would figure once again on Denver’s next goal at the 15:06 mark. The goal was the result of a nice two-on-one play between the two linemates with Pettinger finishing the play by tucking the puck behind the Elite netminder. Miller and defenseman Bob Peers drew the assists.

One of the few quality opportunities for the Elite came about two minutes after Denver’s third goal on a two-on-one play that was stopped by Jones.

The second period proved to be slightly better for the Elite, but they had nothing to show for it. Denver, meanwhile, came out of the gate strong and notched their next goal just one minute in when Halas got his second of the game. He banged home the loose puck that the Elite goaltender had trouble corralling with traffic in front of him. The goal was unassisted.

Halas would complete the hat trick on Denver’s next goal at the 4:17 mark when his shot went in just inside the post for the score. Miller and John “Johnny Mac” MacMillan would draw the assists.

The Pioneers continued to apply good pressure in the offensive zone, but the Elite would get their chances.

The first came at the 7:20 mark when defenseman Peter McEwen was called for interference, giving the Elite the game’s first man-advantage. However, they wouldn’t get the full power play time as one of their players was called for a hold at the 9:43 mark.

Both teams successfully killed of their penalties and Denver was back to business and controlling the game.

At the 14:52 mark, defenseman Wayne Smith would push the Pioneers’ lead to 6-0. Smith jumped into the play to create an odd-man situation with Halas and with the Elite goaltender out of position, Smith tucked home the shot into the empty side for the score. Halas and defenseman Blake Emery would draw the assists.

Around the 16-minute mark, the Elite would have a partial breakaway opportunity, but Emery did an excellent of job of staying with the puck carrier and prevented him from getting a shot on goal.

The Elite however, would get another crack at the Pioneers at the 16:17 mark when Don Cameron would be sent off for a trip.

Denver once again successfully killed off the penalty, but the Elite managed to get a few quality chances, only to have Jones shut the door on them.

The final stanza became the Denver Pioneers show and the fatigue factor began to really set in on the Elite. The Pioneers dictated nearly every facet of the game and area of the ice.

In the five-goal outburst of the period, Halas got things started at the 9:13 mark with his fourth tally of the game. Halas tapped in a rebound just inside the post for the score. Smith and Bill Goodacre drew the assists.

Just under two minutes later at the 11:54 mark, Pettinger completed Denver’s second hat trick after slipping the loose puck underneath the Elite netminder for the score. Miller drew the lone assist.

The Pioneers would score again under a minute later at the 12:36 mark off of the stick of MacMillan and Pettinger would make it 10-0 at the 18:26 mark.

Perhaps the best goal of the game came on Denver’s final tally at the 18:42 mark. Miller posted his first goal of the Tournament on a beautiful wraparound to put the frosting on the cake for the Pioneers. Pettinger and MacMillan drew the assists.

Tom Miller led Denver in scoring in the contest with six points (one goal, five assists). Pat Halas and Bill Pettinger each posted five points (four goals, one assist) and John MacMillan posted four points (one goal, three assists).

The Pioneers went 0-for-1 on the power play while the Elite went 0-for-2 on the power play.

Next up: “The Clash of the Titans II” versus the University of Michigan Wolverines 60s on Sunday.

- DJ Powers Staff Writer - NCAA

Hockey's Future (http://www.hockeysfuture,com/)

Future Considerations (http://www.futureconsiderations.ca/)

[And your humble DU Snoopy Tournament correspondent]

Magnuson's #3 To Be Retired By NHL Blackhawks

Chicago Blackhawks Website

The Chicgao Blackhawks announced today the former DU great Keith Magnuson's No. 3 will be retired to honor him and Hall of Famer Pierre Pilote who also wore the number.

The Chicago Blackhawks announced today the organization will retire jersey No. 3 in honor of defensemen Keith Magnuson and Pierre Pilote during the a 2008-09 regular season home game to be announced at a later date.

"In keeping consistent with honoring our past greats, the Blackhawks are proud to announce that we will be retiring the number three for two wonderful gentlemen," Blackhawks President John McDonough said. "The number three hanging in their honor will be a continuing memory to our fans and players on what it means to be a distinguished member of the Blackhawks family."

Magnuson spent 11 seasons in a Blackhawks uniform (1969-80), racking up 1,442 penalty minutes and 139 points (14 goals, 125 assists) in 589 career games, which includes captaining the squad for three years (1976-79). The Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, native helped Chicago reach the postseason eight times, collecting 164 penalty minutes and 12 points (3 goals, 9 assists) in 68 career playoff outings.

Following his playing career, Magnuson served as Chicago’s head coach during the 1980-81 campaign before helping organize and serving as president of the Blackhawks Alumni Association. He passed away tragically in an automobile accident on Dec. 15, 2003, at the age of 56.

DU Beats Reno Aces In OT In Snoopy Tourney

Denver Pioneers 5 Reno Aces 4 OT

Special to LetsGoDU by DJ Powers

The opening game for the Denver Pioneers in the Snoopy’s Senior World Hockey Tournament on Thursday night needed overtime to be decided. Jim Wiste tallied two goals, including the game winner.

The Pioneers were without regulars Cliff Koroll and Ron Grahame this year due to prior commitments.

While the game started off a bit slow for Denver, they quickly established some good pressure in the Reno end.

At the 3:28, the Pioneers would draw the first penalty of the game when defenseman Wayne Smith was called for a hold. Denver successfully killed off the penalty.

At about the six and a half minutes into the period, Tom Miller gave Denver a glorious scoring opportunity when he went in on a breakaway but lost control of the puck by the time he had the chance to shoot.

The Pioneers continued to pressure and another great scoring opportunity came again about a minute later when Bill Goodacre was unable to get the puck by the Aces netminder.

While Denver had most of the scoring opportunities approaching the halfway point of the period, it would be Reno that would get on the board first. The Aces scored at the 9:50 mark when with a shot fired from the slot beat Pioneers goaltender Tom Jones.

Denver would continue to get some excellent scoring opportunities, but were unable to capitalize on them.

At the 13:45 mark, the Aces would be called for a hook, giving the Pioneers their first power play of the game. Exactly one minute into Reno’s penalty, defenseman Blake Emery would tally the unassisted equalizer for Denver when his shot bounced off of the Aces netminder’s pad and into the net.

As the period progressed the game began to open up a bit as Denver continued to dictate the tempo of the game.

At the 18:01 mark, Reno would once again take the lead when a high shot beat Jones for the score.

Denver came out with some good pressure to start the second period. About a minute and a half into the middle stanza, John MacMillan’s relentless drive to the net would draw Reno’s next penalty. The holding call came at the 1:53 mark, giving the Pioneers their second power play of the game.

Denver did an excellent job in moving the puck during this power play and it would pay off at the 5:08 mark. Jim Wiste tied the game after poking home the loose puck amid the mass of humanity in front of the Reno netminder. Don Cameron and defenseman Bob Peers would be credited with the assists.

One of the things that the Pioneers did very well throughout the game was having their defensemen involved in the offensive play. After Wiste’s goal, Denver continued to dominate both territorially and in puck possession.

At the 9:01 mark, Reno would once again regain the lead when a rebound was shot past Jones from just inside the right faceoff circle. The score was now 3-2 Reno.

The Aces nearly extended their lead at about the 10-minute mark when a bad Pioneers turnover led to a two-on-none situation. Fortunately for Denver, the puck looked to have rolled off of the stick of the Reno puck carrier before he could get a shot off.

At the 14:22 mark, Denver would once again knot things up with a goal by Pat Halas. The goal came as a result of a beautiful feed by Goodacre, who found Halas in the slot. Halas’ shot beat the Aces netminder just inside the near post for the score. Goodacre drew the lone assist.

At the 17:12 mark, Smith made his second trip to the penalty box when he was called for hold. One of the best power play opportunities came in the waning seconds of the period when a Reno player was attempting to fight off the coverage by Bill Pettinger. Pettinger did an outstanding job of tying up the stick of the Reno player to prevent him from getting at the loose puck.

The third period opened with Denver short-handed for the remaining 51 seconds of Smith’s holding call. While still shorthanded, the Pioneers generated a couple of good scoring chances. The best of which came just as the penalty was about to expire. Tom Miller fired a low shot through traffic that ended up going off of the post.

Denver stepped their pressure in the Reno zone after killing off the penalty. And their efforts would once again be rewarded at the 2:51. Wayne Wiste gave the Pioneers their first lead of the game when he tipped home Peter McEwen’s shot from the slot for the score, making it 4-3 Denver.

The Pioneers did an excellent job of maintaining puck control and in their forechecking in this period. And it would be two things that would frustrate the Aces for much of the remainder of the game.

At the 8:21 mark, Denver would get the opportunity to extend their lead when Reno was called for a trip. After successfully cashing in on their previous two opportunities, this time around the Pioneers had trouble getting their power play working, mainly due to passes not quite connecting.

The remaining 17 seconds of Denver’s power play would be negated when Pettinger would be called for a hook at the 11:32 mark.

The penalty would prove to be costly for the Pioneers. At the 14:04 mark, Reno tallied their first and only power play goal of the game off of a shot flipped up and over Jones for the score.

The Aces were given a chance to take the lead once again when Halas was called for a hook at the 15:04 mark. Denver would once again successfully kill of the Aces power play.

As the period and regulation time winded down, both team had some glorious opportunities that came in odd-man situation but neither was successful in finishing the plays.

At the 19:35 mark, McEwen nearly gave the Pioneers win but couldn’t beat the sprawling Reno netminder.

With the score tied a 4-4; the game went to overtime with no penalties carried over.

Denver came out as hard as they had finished regulation time. The Reno goaltender was clearly the busier of the two netminders in the extra session.

Jim Wiste would become the hero of the game at the 2:05 mark when he picked up the rebound and proceeded to flip a backhanded over the Aces netminder for the game-winner. Halas drew the lone assist.

Denver went 2-for-3 on the power play, while Reno went 1-for-4 on the power play.

Next up: Denver Pioneers vs. the Hodgepodge Elite on Saturday.


Official 2008 Denver Pioneers Roster (revised and updated)

Goaltender
#1 Tom Jones

Defensemen
#2 Wayne Smith (DU 1963-66)
#3 Bob Peers (DU 1963-66)
#4 Blake Emery
#5 Bob Brawley (Michigan State 1964-67)
#6 Peter McEwen

Forwards
#8 Tom Miller (DU 1967-69)
#9 Bill Goodacre (Colorado College 1958-62)
#11 Wayne Wiste (DU 1965-67)
#12 Don Cameron (DU 1964-67)
#14 Jim Wiste (DU 1966-68)
#15 Pat Halas
#16 John MacMillan (DU 1957-60)
#18 Bill Pettinger (DU 1969-71)
#19 Norm Kvern (DU 1964-65)

- DJ Powers Staff Writer - NCAA

Hockey's Future (http://www.hockeysfuture,com/)

Future Considerations (http://www.futureconsiderations.ca/)

[And your humble DU Snoopy Tournament correspondent]

DU Snoopy Roster

2008 University of Denver Pioneers roster for the 32nd annual Snoopy’s Senior World Hockey Tournament

Special to LetsGoDU
By DJ Powers

The Denver Pioneers are expected to field a complete team at this year’s Snoopy’s Senior World Hockey Tournament that is already underway in Santa Rosa, CA. Last year, the Pioneers captured the Silver Medal in the 60A “Marcie” Division with a depleted lineup. They will be looking to capture their division’s gold medal when they make their first tournament appearance of the year on Thursday evening against the Reno Aces.

Below is the expected roster for this year’s tournament. 10 of the 15 players on the announced squad are University of Denver alumni. At press time, the goaltending information was not available, and it is not presently known if Ron Grahame (DU 1969-73) will be participating with the team this year.

The notable returnees to the DU lineup after last year’s absence are Jim Wiste, Wayne Wiste and John MacMillan. The three players were unavailable for last year’s tournament due to injury or prior commitments.

Defensemen
#1 Blake Emery*
#2 Wayne Smith* (DU 1963-66)
#3 Bob Peers* (DU 1963-66)
#4 Peter McEwen*
#5 Bob Brawley* (Michigan State University 1964-67)
#6 Pat Halas

Forwards
#7 Jim Wiste (DU 1966-68)
#8 John MacMillan (DU 1957-60)
#9 Bill Goodacre* (Colorado College 1958-62)
#10 Cliff Koroll* (DU 1965-68)
#11 Wayne Wiste (DU 1965-67)
#12 Don Cameron* (DU 1964-67)
#14 Tom Miller (DU 1967-69)
#15 Norm Kvern (DU 1964-65)
#16 Bill Pettinger (DU 1969-71)

Goaltenders
TBA

* - Indicates member of the 2007 tournament team

DJ Powers cover the NCAA for two online hockey prospects magazines. In the United States DJ covers Hockey's Future (http://www.hockeysfuture.com/). DJ also covers NCAA hockey for the Canadian-based publication called Future Considerations (http://www.futureconsiderations.ca/).

DU Alum Elected Into Hockey Hall Of Fame

TORONTO (June 17, 2008) — The Hockey Hall of Fame's Selection Committee, announced today that DU Alum Glenn Anderson and Igor Larionov have been elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in the Player Category. The vote took place today at the annual meeting of the Selection Committee in Toronto.

Anderson joins fellow DU Alum Craig Patrick in the Hockey Hall of Fame. Patrick was elected to the Hall in 2001 in the Builder Category.

“It’s very emotional,” said Anderson upon hearing of his election. “This is right up there with one of the great things I’ve done in life.”

The induction ceremony will be held on Nov. 10.

DU Alum Glenn Anderson Battled With Media

(above) These days you're more likely to find former DU hockey player Glenn Anderson helping six year olds to their feet than hoisting the Stanley Cup

Today former DU player Glenn Anderson will hear his fate from the Hockey Hall of Fame Committee. His career numbers, playoff stats and six Stanley Cups would suggest he's a shoo-in, but a contentious relationship with the media and some highly publicized off the ice incidents, including the death of his best friend, have blocked his induction in the past.

Anderson only played one season at the University of Denver (1978-79) but he recorded 26 goals, 29 assists in 41 games. After playing for DU, Anderson played on the Canadian Olympic team in the 1980 Olympics in Lake Placid. The Edmonton Oilers drafted Anderson in the 4th round of the 1979 NHL Draft. He won five Stanley Cups with Edmonton and won a final Cup with the New York Rangers.

This excellent article from the Edmonton Journal documents Anderson's often rocky relatiship with the media.

Glenn Anderson's Hall of Fame numbers should speak for themselves, but his Hall of Fame friends have felt the need to lobby on his behalf for ages.

Because until now two equally influential factors have conspired to bar the former Oiler from the shrine to hockey greatness.

Some years, it was all about the competition; too many automatics like Mark Messier, Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, Scott Stevens and Al Macinnis. But more often, Anderson's failure to garner enough support was related to an unflattering public persona, one shaped by the dark and negative headlines that followed him around the National Hockey League from Edmonton to Toronto, New York, St. Louis and even into retirement.

The problem will disappear forever today if at least 12 of the 16 selection committee voters agree that 1,099 points and six Stanley Cup rings amount to an admittance fee paid in full. Up to four players can get the nod and competition isn't stiff - Doug Gilmour, Steve Larmer, Adam Oates, Igor Larionov and Pavel Bure. The timing seems right. But just in case he needed to tip the scales, Anderson has been working on perception, reaching out to suggest his problem with the media has been rooted in misunderstanding.

We didn't understand him, he said, because we didn't take the time. I would counter that he wouldn't give us the time of day, or a thoughtful answer to most of our questions, and his standoffish attitude was detrimental.

What cannot be argued is the fact his relationship with the media went sideways and every negative headline played a role, however small, in keeping him on the outside of the Hall looking in at teammates Jari Kurri, Grant Fuhr, Paul Coffey, Gretzky and Messier. Though only five committee members are from the media, a larger consensus suggests Anderson has been left wanting with regard to the off-ice component of the voting.

He contends the negative media coverage has never told the real story of his personal life.

"Back then, I don't think they really knew who I was," he said of the Edmonton media. "They only wanted the story. I was categorized as a person before I was even interviewed. It was already determined and I was hung out to dry.

"That's not the individual I was. As years went by, we developed relationships. It changed. We finally came to a very civilized balance."

It didn't happen quite that easily. The bridge was burned in Edmonton and is only now being rebuilt. He returns phone calls, entertains questions, gives thoughtful answers.

For those who knew Anderson as cool, distant and occasionally antagonistic, his recent evolution can be traced to media courses he took in a continuing effort to educate himself and establish a healthy life after hockey. He has gained an appreciation for the role of the media and has been busily re-establishing relationships with sports writers he came to view as irritants; people who wouldn't look past the wacky grin and outlandish statements for any deeper meaning.

Anderson said he didn't want to think outside the box, he wanted to saw through it, and believes that oblique focus was misconstrued and he was written off.

But his larger problem with the Edmonton media can be traced to 1988 when his friend George Varvis died after collapsing in Anderson's pool.

"In Edmonton there were some things that were really blown out of proportion, especially when my very good friend died. I ended up getting death threats and hate mail. Everyone knew where I lived because the pictures of my house were on the front page. Every week I got a different letter in a different colour in an envelope. In Latin. Whoever was sending it was threatening to kill me.

"If it weren't for the media reports they wouldn't have had my address. I thought, 'Geez you guys have no idea what you opened up.' Then there was all the innuendo and false accusations of what transpired. I thought, 'Guys, do a little research. Find out what happened because that's not what went down.'

"Not only did I lose my best friend, but I'm getting wounded by all this other stuff."

He said the manner in which his friend died was misconstrued.

"I dove in to the pool and revived him by giving him mouth-to-mouth. He walked out of the house with paramedics and went to the hospital, where he had a relapse. People said he died right there (in the pool). Not true.

"It just showed me that I got treated unfairly. It snowballed from there and I'd always had to have my guard up.

"Now, I'm over it. I forgave and forgot. Life goes on. I'm not holding a grudge. Life is too short for that."

LAUGHTER COMES EASILY

He is 47, living in New York with wife Susan and five-year-old daughter Autumn. He said he has resolved a contentious child support issue regarding a teenager from a previous relationship and continues to make regular payments, even though he still considers them too large because his income has been drastically reduced from that of his playing days. He runs a fantasy camp, plays in charity and oldtimers games and operates a hockey school in Connecticut, his wife is in the real estate industry and his daughter has done some acting.

"She makes more money than me now, because she's in commercials," he chuckled.

The laughter usually came easily to Anderson when he was an Oiler. He was, as he still states today, a free spirit. I bumped into him in Quebec City during the world hockey championship and sensed he is trying hard to engage. Skeptics would point to the timing, but I don't think he's simply shilling for votes.

"I feel way more comfortable talking to the media now, especially the guys I had been around for years," he said. "I respect them for what they have to do."

What they and other committee members ought to do now is put him in the Hall of Fame. His numbers say he belongs there and if voters embrace

Anderson's new persona, it's a slam dunk. After years of shrugging off disappointing results with an ambivalent tone, as if to deny the media any satisfaction, Anderson admitted to nervousness on Monday.

"For the first time," he said. "I don't know if we'd celebrate like we did after a Stanley Cup.

"But we'll be pretty happy. And if it doesn't happen this year, it's going to be pretty tough because of the players coming up and eligible for next year (Steve Yzerman, Brian Leetch, Luc Robitaille and Brett Hull). I know that.

"If it happens, great. If not, who knows what happens down the road."

DU Hockey Legends - Rich Preston

From Calgary Flames website, Legends of Hockey website, DU Media Guide

Rich “Sarge” Preston played one season of junior hockey with the Regina Pats of the SJHL before heading south to attend the University of Denver. There, he excelled as an offensively productive forward for four seasons, graduating in 1974. Sarge played 127 games at DU scoring 34 goals and 62 assists for 108 points. He played in three straight NCAA tourneys from 1971 through 1973. In his four seasons at DU, the team finished 2nd, 1st, 1st and 3rd in the WCHA. Although Rich was never selected as an All American he played with five All Americans at DU including Mike Christie, Vic Venasky, Tom Peluso, Ron Grahame and Rob Palmer.

As property of the Chicago Blackhawks, Preston was promptly informed that he'd be starting out his pro career in Texas with their minor-league affiliate in Dallas. He and Terry Ruskowski did head to the Lone Star State, but not to join the Hawks. Instead, they jumped to the WHA's Houston Aeros where the prospect of playing with Gordie Howe looked more rewarding than toiling in the minors.

So Preston launched a successful four-year stint in Houston where he developed into an outstanding two-way player who, as he put himself, was a jack-of-all-trades and master of none. At least, until he joined the Winnipeg Jets for the WHA's final season in 1978-79. During the playoffs, Preston was stellar, being voted as the MVP of the tournament. His Jets won the last Avco Cup ever awarded.

After weathering a contractual dispute between the Blackhawks and Jets as the two leagues merged, Preston landed on his blades in the Windy City, thanks in part to his friendship with Keith Magnuson and Cliff Koroll from their University of Denver days.

In his first season, Preston leapt from the starting gate, corralling 31 goals and 30 assists, his best single-season NHL result. In all, he put in five solid years with the Hawks before jumping to the New Jersey Devils for two seasons.

In 1986-87, he re-signed as a free agent with the Hawks where he played 77 games and then retired. Preston played in eight NHL seasons from 1979-87 collecting 291 points (127 goals, 164 assists) in 580 games.

Preston began his coaching career with the Chicago Blackhawks during the 1991-92 campaign and spent four seasons with the team. He worked as an Assistant Coach to Mike Keenan during the 1991-92 season, and to Darryl Sutter from 1992-95.

Prior to coaching with Calgary and San Jose, Preston spent two seasons (1995-96 and 1996-97) as Head Coach of his hometown, Regina Pats of the WHL. During this period the Pats compiled a 79-60-5 record. With 42 wins registered in the 1996-97 season, the Pats managed their first 40 win season in 11 years and also established a new team record 27 home game undefeated streak.

.

With the San Jose Sharks (2000-02) as an Assistant Coach under Head Coach Darryl Sutter, Preston also saw his team improve its point totals each year.

On June 26, 2003, Rich Preston rejoined the Flames organization as Assistant Coach. The Regina, SK native was previously with the Flames organization, along with Head Coach Brian Sutter, from 1997-2000 and helped the Flames increase its point totals in each of those seasons.

Preston and his wife Laura have three boys, Troy, Lucas and Thomas and reside in Calgary.

Bill Masterton: 1961 NCAA Tournament MVP

(left) Bill Masterton was a Pioneer in every sense of the word

The flags are at half mast at LetsGoDU's Corporate Headquarters today on the 40 anniversary of Bill Masterton's untimely death (see below). But its not all doom and gloom, as Bill left quite a legacy at the University of Denver. The MVP of the 1961 NCAA Championship Tournament, Bill scored 66 goals and added 130 assists in 89 games for the Pioneers. Remarkably, he had just 6 penalties for 12 minutes in his entire DU career.

Bill's greatest gift to the hockey world was unquestionably his tragic passing. Countless junior hockey players were told, "always wear your helmet," because of his death.

Awards
WCHA First All-Star Team (1960, 1961)
NCAA West First All-American Team (1960, 1961)
NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team (1961)
NCAA Championship Tournament MVP (1961)

Death Ended Masterton's Hockey Dream

LetsGoDU: This article appeared in the St. Paul Dispatch just after Masterton's death in 1968.

From: St. Paul Dispatch 1/15/68

Bill Masterton always dreamed of someday playing in the NHL. But not until the league expanded to 12 teams this season did Masterton fulfill his lifelong ambition. Masterton first began playing hockey in Canada's far flung junior hockey program and his first team was the St. Boniface Canadiens in the Manatoba Junior Hockey League in 1956-57.

But Bill - or Bat, as his North Stars' teammates called him - didn't turn professional until he was 23. He choose instead to pursue a bachelor of science degree in business while on a hockey scholarship at Denver University.

The Winnipeg, Man. native still figured he had plenty of time to make the big time even after hissenior year when he scored 27 goals and collected55 assists on the way to being named MostValuable Player in the NCAA tournament.

Masterton recalled recently, "I signed with the Montreal organization and was assigned to their Hull-Ottawa farm club (1961-62) in the Eastern Professional Hockey League.

"After scoring 31 goals and 35 assists there, I moved up to Cleveland the following season and had what I thought was a pretty good year (AHL's sixth-leading scorer).

"But the Canadiens were loaded with centers so I really never had much of a chance to make the grade with them."

When any of the five NHL failed to draft him out of the Montreal organization, Masterton decided to quit pro hockey and return to Denver for his master's degree in 1964.

"By that time I had gotten married," Masterton continued," and there was this offer to work in contract administration for a big, establishedfirm like Honeywell.

"Everything seemed to be working out so well, I really didn't have much time to think about hockey."

Wren Blair, coach and general manager of the North Stars, was aware of Masterton's two-year pro record when he scouted the 6-foot, 186-pounder in several exhibition games he played for the U.S. National team.

Blair recalled, "I liked what I saw so I asked Bill if he would consider giving pro hockey
another fling. When he said he would like to try it, I bought his contract from Montreal.

"From what I saw of Bill in training camp, I think he'll help us. He had the misfortune of getting a shoulder separation just before the exhibition games started, but he worked hard with Lloyd Percival, our physical fitness expert, and was able to return for our last six or seven games and get three goals and a couple of assists."

Masterton said that the chance to play in the TwinCities had a big part in his decision to return to pro hockey.

"I doubt very much whether I would've considered playing hockey any place," Masterton said.

"I went to training camp knowing it wouldn't be a picnic, especially after being out of pro hockey for four seasons. I had the opportunity to skate quite a bit last summer when I coached in a summer league, and I think that helped me quite a bit. I was in pretty good shape when I reported."

Masterton admitted he was pleasantly surprised to still be with the parent club when it opened its regular season schedule Oct. 11. He would not have been eligible anyway to compete for the United States in the 1968 Winter Olympics because of his previous pro experience.

"When I signed a two-year contract, I more of less expected to spend this season at Memphis," Masterton said at the time. "I still may end up there but even if I do, I won't be disappointed because I've given myself two years to prove that I can play in the NHL."

"I realize it's going to be tough, but if I get the opportunity to play, I'm confident that I can make it."

Masterton did make it until his fatal accident Saturday night resulting in his untimely death early today.