News & Notes From Around PioNation

The University of Denver has dumped Ticketmaster and replaced them with a Comcast subsidary called Paciolan. The new ticketing service should mean lower fees for DU sports fans.  Additionally, DU students will now be able to buy tickets online in their dorm rooms and print them straight to their student ID cards.

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DU Lacrosse 2012 recruit Patrick Karole won a Summer Lacrosse National Championship with the Tri-State Black in Baltimore two weeks ago.  Tri-State upset the Philadelphia Dukes who had won five straight championships.  Karole attends Montclair Kimberly Academy in New Jersey.

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Former DU volunteer assistant coach P.J. DeLuca has been hired as the Florida Panthers video coach. DeLuca worked for the Colorado Avalanche and Minnesota Wild after his stint at DU.

Woody Paige Mocks Avs On ESPN

(left) Former DU volunteer assistant coach P.J. DeLuca was shafted by the Colorado Avalanche yesterday

Needless to say LetsGoDU wasn't the only one who thought the Avs came down too hard on the Video Replay Coach after last season's disasterous last place finish in the Western Conference.

Especially since the Av's Video Coordinator was DU's popular former volunteer assistant P.J. DeLuca.

Mark Kizla of the Denver Post called the firings, "A bush-league move by a classy organization."

Woody Paige has this to say in the last minute of ESPN's "Around The Horn" (scroll to the very end).

Its a sad day in Denver. We've had the "Wednesday Morning Purge."

Avs Coach Tony Granatio has been fired along with three assistants and the video coordinator.

Why in the world would the fire the video coordinator? Why in the world fire P.J. DeLuca?

P.J., we luv ya.

The ESPN Moderator noted, "It was the first time Around The Horn had a segment dedicated to the video replay guy."

News & Notes From Around Pioneer Nation

Highly sought after recruit Drew Shore decided to come to DU instead of playing major junior hockey in Canada for the Chilliwack Bruins who held his WHL rights. Looks like Shore made the right decision, because the Bruins franchise is in disarray. Chilliwack was 19-46-2 last season.

In the mist of the Avalanche house cleaning yesterday, former DU volunteer assistant coach P.J. DeLuca was let go along with head coach Tony Granato and three others. It appears DeLuca was fired so that Pierre Lacroix could hire his son, Eric. DeLuca was in charge video for the Avs. Let's hope he gets a new gig ASAP.

NESN in Boston thinks the Boston Bruins may select Drew Shore with the 25th pick in the 1st Round of the NHL Draft this summer.

Two-time Olympic medal-winning figure skater Michelle Kwan will graduate from the University of Denver on Saturday. Kwan will receive a degree in international studies with a minor in political science.

DU Hockey Blog Updated

DU Hockey Blog previews the five most exciting upcoming weekends at Magness Arena this season. They also have details of two goaltender camps that Marc Cheverie attended and will attend this Summer. Former volunteer assistant coach PJ Deluca has a new gig and Adrian Veideman will be playing in the AHL next season.

DU Names Volunteer Assistant Coach

P.J. DeLuca Comes From USA Development Program
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From: DU Athletics Website

DENVER – PJ DeLuca has been named volunteer assistant coach for the University of Denver hockey program. DeLuca joins the Pioneers after serving as a graduate assistant hockey coach last season with the USA Hockey National Development Program (USNTDP) in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

DeLuca assisted in the day-to-day operations and coaching for the Under-17 and Under-18 USNTDP programs in 2006-07. He managed the teams’ video breakdown and analysis, and travel. DeLuca assisted in daily practice planning and scouting, while working primarily with forwards for both programs. He helped Team USA to the gold medal at the Under-17 Four Nations Tournament in 2007.
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“PJ comes highly regarded by USNTDP head coaches Ron Rolston and John Hynes,” Gwozdecky said. “He will make a strong contribution to our program and we’re pleased to have him join the DU hockey family.”
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DeLuca served as an assistant coach for the Chicago Mission Hockey Club (AAA) from 2005-06 and was the head coach for the Chicago Blues Hockey Club (AA) from 2004-05. He played junior hockey for the Cleveland Barons and Danville Wings of the North American Hockey League from 1994-96 and Dubuque Fighting Saints of the United States Hockey League in 1996-97.