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| (above) David Carle was named DU Assistant Coach on Monday |
Showing posts with label Didier. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Didier. Show all posts
Twitter: David Carle Becomes DU Assistant Coach
Dakota Mermis Defection Raises Red Flags
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| (above) Dakota Mermis left DU last weekend for the Ontario Hockey League |
On Tuesday evening the OHL London Knights announced the signing of University of Denver Freshman Dakota Mermis. Clearly this was a move designed to get Dakota's hockey career back on track towards someday achieving a roster spot in the NHL.
Before Dakota ever committed to the University of Denver, he was considered to be one of the best young hockey players in North America. His St. Louis Junior Blues team won the 2007 USA AAA Championship when he was just 12 years-old.
At age 16, he was selected to play for the prestigious US National Development team in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He was considered to be one of the top seven defensemen in the USA and his hockey future appeared bright.
Playing for the US National Development team poses issues. If you aren't on the top two forward or defensive pairings are you better off instead playing a leading role on the USHL team? Its a problem at every level of youth sports. As you progress up the ladder, the competition for playing time gets stiffer and to maintain playing time you may have to play a different role than your body or skill set is ideally suited for.
It happened to former DU star Gabe Gauthier; he could score goals in bunches on the top two lines in the AHL, but didn't have the body mass to adapt to playing physical role on a third or fourth line in the NHL.
So the decision was made for Dakota to jump from the USNDP Under-18 Team and play the following season in the USHL for the Green Bay Gamblers. Former DU coach Derek Lalonde was soon thereafter named the head coach of the Gamblers and if anyone was going to give Dakota a ton of playing time, "Olde DU Derek" could be counted upon.
By all accounts Dakota had a great season in Green Bay. He recorded 5 goals and 22 assists and the Gamblers won the USHL Championship. But compare his stats to NHLer Matt Carle, who blazed a similar career path as Dakota's. Carle recorded 12 goals and 30 assists in his lone season in the USHL for River City.
Dakota's numbers and progress after his season in Green Bay were not sufficient enough for an NHL team draft the 5'11 blueliner. At this point, Dakota had three choices. Play another season in the USHL and put up some big numbers, jump to London in the OHL or attend DU.
He chose to come to Denver and compete for playing time with some of the best young Dmen in D1 hockey. David Makowski [5 goals, 7 assists], Joey LaLeggia [7 goals, 10 assists], Nolan Zajac [3 goals, 9 assists], Scott Mayfield [2 goals, 5 assists], Paul Phillips [0 goals, 5 assists] & Josiah Didier [0 goals, 3 assists]. Dakota's stats [1 goal, 3 assists] obviously put him down the pecking order.
Dakota's numbers and size clearly weren't going to entice an NHL team to draft him this summer, so he made the decision to bolt to the OHL London Knights. He'll get more playing time, more games and power play opportunities in the OHL.
After next season he'll likely begin his career in the ECHL and compete for playing time against players that are better then his former teammates at DU. His odds of making the NHL? Based on current US born blueliners in the NHL under 6 feet tall, a thousand to one.
US Born Players Under 6' who appeared in at least 1 NHL Game last season
[NCAA FRESHMAN SEASON STATS]
John-Michael Liles - MSU [8 goals, 20 assists] 4 years of college
Keith Ballard - MN [10 goals, 13 assists] 3 years of college
Alex Goligoski - MN [5 goals, 15 assists] 3 years of college
Francis Bouillon - CHL
Andy Greene - MIA(OH) [4 goals, 19 assists] 4 years of college
Kevin Shattenkirk - BU [4 goals, 17 assists] 3 years of college
Brett Lebda - ND [7 goals, 19 assists] 4 years of college
Matt Hunwick - MI [1 goal, 14 assists] 4 years of college
Jack Hillen - CC [2 goals, 9 assists] 4 years of college
Nick Leddy - MN [3 goals, 8 assists] 1 year of college
Steven Kampfer - MI [1 goal, 3 assists] 4 years of college
Matt Taormina - Providence [1 goal, 10 assists] 4 years of college
Cade Fairchild - MN [2 goals, 13 assists] 4 years of college
Torey Krug - MSU [3 goals, 18 assists] 3 years of college
Aaron Ness - MN [2 goals, 15 assists] 3 years of college
DU's Lineup Against Bemidji Includes Omissions
#10 DU (9-5-2, 7-3-2 WCHA) @ Bemidji State (4-8-2, 3-7-2 WCHA)
Date: Friday, December 14, 2012
Puck Drop: 6:37 p.m. (MT)
Site: Bemidji, Minn.
Arena: Sanford Center (4,373)
TV: None
Radio/Web: 102.3 FM ESPN (KDXP - Denver)
Several players are missing in action this weekend:
- Garrett Allen sent out a Twitter mentioning already being home and some sort of surgery.
- Jarrod Mermis is not in the lineup and whereabouts unknown.
- Larkin Jacobson is serving the final days of his suspension.
- Josiah Didier has an ankle injury.
News & Notes From Around PioNation
Mike Chambers of the Denver Post used his blog this week to take a look at several issues that have been hanging over the team in recent weeks. Chambers updated the goaltender situation, Larkin Jacobson's suspension, asked Quinten Shore several questions & updated Josiah Didier's ankle injury.
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The Denver Post breaks down the DU-Bemidji State series and CC's battle with St Cloud State. Saturday night's CC game in the Springs will be broadcast on Altitude.
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DU alum Geoff Paukovich plays for the ECHL Las Vegas Wranglers and returns to Colorado several times a year to play the Colorado Eagles in Loveland.
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The Bemidji Pioneer newspaper has an article on what the Beavers have to do this weekend against DU. Twitter: DU Hockey On NBC Sports Network
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| (above) Josiah Didier pimping the Pios |
DU vs Wisconsin
FRIDAY - 8 PM MT
TV: NBC Sports Network
Its Gameday: News & Notes Edition
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Chambers also has another article in the Denver Post previewing the DU-Wisconsin series. He also has an update on Josiah Didier's injury.
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Tonight's game against Wisconsin [8 PM MT] is part of a doubleheader on NBC Sports Network. The earlier game features Boston College at Boston University [5:30 PM MT]. They will also televise the North Dakota at DU game on Feb. 22nd. NBC Sports Network College Hockey Schedule.
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Western College Hockey Blog looks at the biggest story heading into this game, the long-awaited debut of Wisconsin star freshman Nic Kerdiles.
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Pat Rooney of DenverPioneers.com has an article about DU's blueline featuring Joey LaLeggia.
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A few good seats remain for the Wisconsin series this weekend. More prime seats [$40] remain for the Friday and both games should be close to sell-outs at gametime. Check out DU's new seat software that allows you to pick your exact seats and move around the arena.
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FYI: Hardly any seats remain for the North Dakota series on Feb. 22-23.
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The DU Women's Golf Team lost a blue-chip recruit when Mia Landegren from Connecticut decommitted and signed a Letter of Intent with the University of Alabama. Landergren committed to DU a year ago as a 16 year-old and won some major tournaments in the past year. A huge loss to the program.Colorado College Hockey Fans Give Beer To Minors
World Arena Provides Alcohol To Minors
Colorado Department Of Revenue Hotline
Colorado Department Of Revenue Hotline
Two Front Page Articles About DU-CC Series
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| (above) DU's homegrown heroes receive a little facetime in the Denver Post today |
The Gazette focused on the matchup tonight between #14 ranked Colorado College and #2 ranked DU. The Post looked at the Colorado Thunderbirds hockey development program and the inroads that have been made in youth hockey in Colorado in recent years.
DU's Josiah Didier Profiled By INCH
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| (above) Josiah Didier was profiled by Inside College Hockey |
Josiah Didier came to DU a year earlier than expected after several Pioneer underclassmen turned pro in 2011. This figures to a be a breakout year for Didier as his Baptism of fire was completed during his Freshman campaign.
Denver Post Profiles Josiah Didier
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| (above) Freshman Josiah Didier is the first of several Colorado Thunderbird players to join the Pioneers |
by Mike Chambers
Freshman Josiah Didier is following a long list of Colorado-raised hockey players to develop into NCAA Division I skaters with NHL potential. The young University of Denver defenseman, however, is unique when it comes to his success on skates [read entire article].
Follow DU Players On Twitter
Beau Bennett (@BeauBennett78)
Wade Bennett (@Wade_Bennett24)
Sam Brittain (@sambrittain1)
Nate Dewhurst (@DuHast37)
Josiah Didier (@jdidier52)
Daniel Doremus (@dan_doremus)
Zack Hope (@zhope30)
Larkin Jacobson (@Ljaco26)
Joey LaLeggia (@JLeggy21)
Zac Larraza (@zaclarraza16)
Ty Loney (@tyyourshoe)
Scott Mayfield (@scottmayfield2)
John Ryder (@RohnJyder)
Luke Salazar (@Goalczar18)
Drew Shore (@drew_shore15)
Nick Shore (@nshore23)
Matt Tabrum (@HewTabrum14)
Jason Zucker (@jasonzucker17)
Clarion Profiles DU Defenseman Josiah Didier
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| Josiah Didier |
by Leah Scott
Josiah Didier attended Thunder Ridge High School in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, attaining the U16 AAA Hockey Club national championship while playing for the Colorado Thunderbirds in 2010.
"I was offered [a scholarship] to play both for Colorado College and DU," said Didier. "I've been a Denver fan my whole life, though. It was my dream to come here. The history of the program and the school is just unbelievable." [read entire article]
News & Notes From Around PioNation
University of Denver freshman swimmer Samantha Corea was named to the Canadian national team for the Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico. She will compete in the 100 meters Butterfly.
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President Barack Obama is returning to the University of Denver in two weeks. The president will make a campaign stop that will include a fundraising reception and discussion at the Ritchie Center. The president last spoke at Magness Arena while he was a candidate seeking the Democratic nomination.
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Mike Chamber's Blog has the latest on the four players who missed last week's exhibition game against McGill. Highly touted local product, Josiah Didier, is expect to make his University of Denver debut tonight against the US National Development team.
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Alums on the east coast who want to attend the DU hockey games in Boston, the Alumni Association is hosting pregame drinks & hors d'oeuvres on October 14. You must RSVP. Game ticket info is also available on the DU Alumni website.
107 Rear Union Street
DU's 2011 Recruiting Class Ranked In Top 9
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| (above) Scott Mayfield is pictured on CHN's Top Recruiting Classes article |
College Hockey News listed the top recruiting classes in college hockey. CHN did not numerically rank the classes, but the University of Denver was listed along with eight other schools.
DU was led by incoming Freshman Scott Mayfield, Joey LaLeggia, Zac Larraza & Josiah Didier.
DU was led by incoming Freshman Scott Mayfield, Joey LaLeggia, Zac Larraza & Josiah Didier.
2011 Freshman Class
D Scott Mayfield (Youngstown, USHL)
F Zac Larraza (U.S. Under-18)
D Joey LaLeggia (Penticton Vees, BCHL)
F Larkin Jacobson (Janesville Jets, NAHL)
D-F Wade Bennett (Wichita Falls, NAHL)
F Matt Tabrum (Omaha, USHL)
D Josiah Didier (Cedar Rapids, USHL)
F Daniel Doremus (Sioux Falls, USHL)
G Juho Olkinuora (Sioux Falls, USHL)
F Ty Loney (Youngstown, USHL)
G Zack Hope (Hill School, PA. HS) [JR.]
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