Coach Gwozdecky to Guide Valor Christian High School

Article and video discussion in the Denver Post explaining George's move from the Tampa Bay Lightning back to Colorado to build a local 'sleeping giant'.

http://www.denverpost.com/preps/ci_28600316/george-gwozdecky-named-head-hockey-coach-at-valor

Twitter: Tweets From Around PioNation

Clarion Profiles Coach Montgomery

(above) Boone welcomes Coach Monty to campus

From: DU Clarion
by Calvin Jouard

The air has cleared.

George Gwozdecky will forever be remembered as a great coach in DU and college hockey history. But after what some would deem an unwarranted dismissal after last season, the air has cleared. Time has helped to forget.

In fact the more you look into the future, the easier it is to understand the buzz emanating around the hockey team. Not only will Denver Hockey make its debut in the newly formed National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC), but it will, for the first time in 19 years, have a different face standing behind the bench—new Head Coach Jim Montgomery.

So, who is he? [read entire article]

Denver Post: Gwozdecky's TV Career Sidetracked

From: Denver Post
by Terry Frei

Until last month, George Gwozdecky was planning to work as a college game television analyst for several networks during the 2013-14 hockey season. The former University of Denver coach had accepted that he wasn't going to land a high-profile head coaching job this year, and that television would be his sabbatical in the wake of his controversial April firing after 19 seasons with the Pioneers.

"I was thinking it would give me an opportunity to stay in the game, stay in the environment," Gwozdecky said recently over lunch in Denver. "That was the plan — to see what jobs opened up in the spring."

Then Jon Cooper, who took over as the head coach of the NHL's Tampa Bay Lightning on March 24, asked Gwozdecky if he was interested in talking about joining the Lightning as an assistant [read entire article].

Gwozdecky Opens Up About DU In Tampa

From: Tampa Bay Times
by Damian Cristadero

New Lightning assistant George Gwozdecky said he did not expect to be fired in April by the University of Denver. And while he said, "There will always be some wounds," he added, "I've got a lot more positive feelings about our years there and the people that I've worked with and the great players that I've worked with rather than with one person's decision."

Gwozdecky, 60, was fired after 19 seasons with the Pioneers and national championships in 2004 and '05. He won at least 20 games in his final 12 seasons, but the team exited in the first round of the NCAA playoffs in five of the past six seasons.

"The consistency of success I was proud of," Gwozdecky said. "That's a lot of work by our assistant coaches and staff and players. So, yeah, (being fired) kind of caught me off guard."

Gwozdecky was in Tampa Tuesday and spoke on many topics.

On the shock of being fired by Denver: My better half, she's still on the war path. I say that a little bit sarcastically because once we decided -- once Jon and Steve offered us the opportunity and we decided this is what we wanted to do -- she was all in. But with her, and I think with me, there will always be some wounds. But we've got 19 years of great memories. I think we did things the right way. We had success. But like in any part of life, whether it's the National Hockey League or college hockey, sometimes things just don't work out. The bosses have their prerogative to make decisions based on the direction they wanted to go. 

On if he saw the split coming: No. I had been assured that the contract was going to get done.

On if Denver was as forthcoming as it should have been: Oh, I don't know. I've learned that sometimes you take things for granted. Hockey at DU, we weren't high maintenance. We just kind of did our job and every year it's, 'Okay, hockey is going to the national tournament. They've won 20, 22, 25, 26 games and they're selling out every game. So, that's kind of the golden goose. We don't worry about them.' ... The focus of concentration was on other sports. You didn't really have to worry about men's hockey. I wish I could give a better answer or give you a better understanding, but I really don't have one.

On any lingering hard feelings: I don't think you ever get over being jilted, whether it's your first high school dance and you ask the pretty girl in the corner and she says 'get lost.' That's kind of tough to take, the rejection. But I've got a lot more positive feelings about our years there and the people that I've worked with and the great players that I've worked with rather than with one person's decision [read entire article].

CU AD Gets Canned For Fundraising Failures

Mike Bohn axed at CU

A very interesting article in the Denver Post today on the University of Colorado Athletic Director getting fired this week. These are unbelievably challenging times for collegiate athletic departments. 

In March, Chancellor Coombe cut the DU Athletic Department budget by $500,000 for next fiscal year. He also froze faculty salaries and raised tuition by 3.8% for 2013-14 as well. No doubt the Gwozdecky firing, the golf coach resignation and reported budget problems on the ski team were related. More painful cuts are sure to come.

This week DU extended Bill Tierney's contract, joined the Big East in lacrosse and priority number one is to expand seating capacity at Barton Lacrosse Stadium.

The point of this is that the facilities arms race, wild television contracts, huge coaches contracts and conference affiation roulette will call for elite fund raisers to run the athletic departments and universities of tomorrow.

From: Denver Post

"One day after Colorado chancellor Phil DiStefano had his say about why the university abruptly decided to let its athletic director go, Mike Bohn took his chance for rebuttal.

Tops on the list? Fundraising not matching expectations.

"The insinuation that we don't have a (fundraising) plan is offensive at best," Bohn said. "Our Sustainable Excellence Initiative is one we've been working on for three years. And we've been working hard on what works. How do we work within the footprint we have?" [read entire article].

News & Notes From Around PioNation

Add the Denver Post's Woody Paige to the growing chorus that wants George Gwozdecky to be the next coach of the Colorado Avalanche.

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DU alum Mark Matthews of the NLL's Edmonton Rush was named Rookie of the Year of the Indoor lacrosse league.  Matthews was 5th in the league in scoring.

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Incoming University of Denver coach Jim Montgomery led the Dubuque Saints to two wins over the weekend to grab a 2-0 lead in the best of five series against the Fargo Force.

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After upsetting the University of Florida on Friday, the DU men's tennis team lost to the University of California 4-1 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

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The University of Denver women's lacrosse team also advanced to the second round of the NCAA women's Lacrosse Tournament before falling to Florida 16-5.

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DU alum Anthony Maiani, a member of the Allen Americans, won their first CHL Presidents Cup Championship, 3-2 in overtime on Saturday night.

Former DU Recruit Commits To North Dakota

From: Dickinson Press

by Brad Schlossman

The University of North Dakota lined up a defensive corps for next season that was made up almost entirely of puck-moving, offensive defensemen.

But when Denver coach George Gwozdecky was fired last month, it started a sequence of events that would ultimately give UND a key piece that was missing in the puzzle for the 2013-14 squad.

East Grand Forks native Gage Ausmus, a stay-at-home shutdown defenseman, gave a verbal commitment Thursday to play for UND beginning in the fall.

Ausmus, who played for the U.S. Under-18 team this season and won a silver medal at the World Under-18 Championship, will add some grit and physicality to UND’s defensive corps — elements that will be welcome.

“They are losing (Andrew) MacWilliam and (Derek) Forbort, two physical, strong guys,” said Ausmus, who is expected to be a late-round NHL draft pick in June. “They (the coaching staff) thought I’d fit into that role really well.”

Ausmus originally committed to the University of Denver two summers ago, but those plans changed when Gwozdecky was suddenly fired on April 1.

“When Gwozdecky left, I didn’t think it was the best option for me anymore,” Ausmus said.

After Denver hired Jim Montgomery as Gwozdecky’s replacement, Ausmus re-considered going to Denver. He also considered Minnesota Duluth — where his father played football — but ultimately decided to stay home.

2013 Recruiting Class Updated Stats
D Matt Van Voorhis (Sioux Falls, USHL) - 38 gms, 3 goals, 15 assists
F Brad Hawkinson (Lincoln Stars, USHL) - 40 gms, 8 goals, 4 assists
F Landon Smith (Chicago, USHL) - 36 games, 11 goals, 6 assists
F Connor Chatham (Omaha, USHL) - 47 games, 14 goals, 14 assists
F Ray Pigozzi (Chicago, USHL) - 41 games, 6 goals, 19 assists
D Will Butcher (U.S. Under-18) - 45 games, 7 goals, 13 assists
F Trevor Moore (Tri-City, USHL) 44 games, 17 goals, 30 assists
D Nick Neville (Texas, NAHL) 45 games, 5 goals, 18 assists

2014 Recruiting Class Updated Stats
F Tyler Pham (Indiana Ice, USHL) - 46 games, 4 goals, 13 assists
F Jared Fiegl (U.S. Under-17) 44 games, 4 goals, 9 assists
F Garrett Gamez (Tri-Cities, USHL) 30 games, 6 goals, 5 assists
F Cody DePourcq (Penticton, BCHL) - 49 games, 11 goal, 8 assists

2015 Recruiting Class Updated Stats 
F Dylan Gambrell (Dubuque, USHL) 45 games, 5 goal, 19 assists

2016 Recruiting Class Updated Stats
F Troy Terry (Thunderbirds, AAA) 41 games, 14 goals, 35 assists

Gwozdecky Misses Out On UConn Coaching Job

Mike Cavanaugh

From: Bangor Daily News
by Larry Mahoney

Mike Cavanaugh an assistant coach at Boston College for the past 18 seasons, is in final negotiations to become the head hockey coach at the University of Connecticut.

Deposed University of Denver coach George Gwozdecky and former Providence College assistant David Berard, who was the interim head coach at UConn this past season, were the other finalists.

The decision is said to have come down to Cavanaugh and Berard, who would get an offer if, for some unexpected reason, contract negotiations broke down with Cavanaugh. Gwozdecky was the first finalist eliminated from consideration.

UConn did have a non-scholarship Division I Atlantic Hockey team but will add the full complement of 18 scholarships and join Hockey East in 2014-15.

ESPN anchor John Buccigross reported via Twitter last week that UConn and Gwozdecky were in intense discussions and there was an “excellent chance” Gwozdecky was going to get the position.

Gwozdecky could now be a candidate for the Maine job vacated by Tim Whitehead, who was fired after 12 seasons as the head coach.

Gwozdecky, who was fired at Denver when his contract negotiations broke down despite his 443-267-64 record over 19 seasons, said last month he was interested in the Maine job.

Gwozdecky Linked To Numerous Coaching Jobs

From: Northwest Chronicle Journal

by Tom Annelin

After his recent ouster following 19 successful seasons as head coach at the University of Denver, George Gwozdecky’s name continues to be linked to a number of NCAA Division 1 coaching vacancies.

Multiple media outlets reported last week the 59-year-old Thunder Bay product was one of three finalists interviewed for the University of Connecticut coaching position. The Huskies have one year remaining to play out of the Atlantic Hockey conference before joining Hockey East in 2014-15.

Among the other schools that are rumoured to have Gwozdecky on their radar is another Hockey East member, Maine, along with the University of Alaska-Anchorage of The Western Collegiate Hockey Association, who announced last week they were restructuring their search for a new coach.

At Denver, Gwozdecky was the only Division 1 bench boss to post 20-win seasons in each of the past 12 years, which included a pair of national championships.

Twitter: Buccigross Links Gwozdecky To UConn Job

(above) ESPN studio host John Buccigross has linked George Gwozdecky to the vacant UConn coaching vacancy

DU Hockey Banquet Tonight

(above) Jesse Martin speaking at the banquet two years ago

The University of Denver will host the 57th Annual Pioneer Hockey Awards Evening tonight at The Cable Center on the DU Campus. The Pioneers will celebrate the senior class of 2013 and the 2012-13 hockey season.

Much of the conversation, on and off the dias, will be sure to center around recently departed hockey coach George Gwozdecky.   Its likely that the banquet will be a celebration of the coach's remarkable career at DU, but one has to wonder why its taken until now to honor his many contributions to the university.

Also of interest will be those who won't be in attendance. Reportedly, the family that was the major sponsor of the banquet in past years declined to contribute after the firing of the coach was announced.

Holy Smokes! Woody Paige Mentions DU Hockey

This may not have been the way the University of Denver dreamed of getting a shout out from ESPN personality and Denver Post columnist Woody Paige, but you take what you can get.  Woody Paige wants Gwozdecky and Sacic running the Avs.

Chambers Blog Has Additional Coverage

Mike Chambers of the Denver Post has three Blog postings that cover events pertaining to the Press Conference yesterday and Coach Gwozdecky's future plans. 

Peg Bradley-Doppes Discusses Gwozdecky

Montgomery Inherits Thin Roster At DU

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Gwozdecky May Explore Job Openings

Denver Post: DU AD Address Gwozdecky Firing

(above) Terry Frei finally has some answers but more questions need to be asked

From: Denver Post

by Terry Frei

So why was George Gwozdecky fired? That's the question University of Denver vice chancellor for athletics and recreation Peg Bradley-Doppes addressed only cursorily in a news release two weeks ago — before declining interview requests since.

She finally talked about it with me Monday, in a conversation after the news conference introducing Jim Montgomery as DU's eighth head hockey coach [read entire article].

Denver Post: Montgomery Can't Wait To Rebuild DU

(above) Post kicks off Monty Era by calling him "John" in photo caption

"It's been pretty crazy. At first there were a lot of questions, beginning with why? Everyone wants to know why he got fired, why this was happening. There was definitely a lot of upset players, including myself. If you look at all the success, you ask, 'Why did he get fired?' After the last couple days we've been embracing (Montgomery). The time has come, change is happening, and we have a new head coach."

-DU Forward Daniel Doremus

From: Denver Post
by Mike Chambers

Flanked by current players sitting beside him and more than two dozen alumni standing in the back, Jim Montgomery was introduced at the University of Denver's eighth hockey coach Thursday, succeeding the fired George Gwozdecky [read entire article].

Ohio State Fires Hockey Coach

(above) Columbus Dispatch reporter Shawn Mitchell

Not too long ago it wasn't uncommon for no hockey coaches to be replaced during the offseason. According to several Twitter accounts, it appears that Ohio State has fired Mark Oseicki today.

Ohio State joins Maine and the University of Denver as high profile hockey schools who replaced coaches this offseason.

The leading candidate at Ohio State is rumored to be George Gwozdecky.

Denver Post Coverage of Montgomery Hiring

Stastny Backed Appert 

Avalanche center Paul Stastny, a former University of Denver star who helped lead the Pioneers to the 2005 NCAA title as a freshman, was hoping Seth Appert would succeed longtime DU coach George Gwozdecky. Stastny even campaigned for it, urging the school to go with the man who first brought him to Denver [read entire article].

Kizla: Gwozdecky Should Still Be Coach 

For starters, let's welcome Jim Montgomery to what should be the coolest sports gig in town: University of Denver hockey coach.

Do not mess it up [read entire article].

Seth Appert Faces Mile High Dilemma

(above) Seth Appert is a finalist for the DU ice hockey coaching position

From: The Troy Record

by Ed Weaver

Seth Appert has long considered the head hockey coaching position at the University of Denver a “dream job.” Same could be said about the same position at Ferris State, Appert’s alma mater, it should be added.

Appert, though, interviewed for the open job at Denver earlier this week.

Being named head coach at Denver to replace his mentor, George Gwozdecky, after Gwozdecky retired is one thing. Replacing Gwozdecky after he was summarily fired by Denver’s athletic director Peg Bradley-Doppes could be quite another matter [read entire article].

CHN: DU Is Interviewing Coaching Candidates

From: CollegeHockeyNews.com

by Adam Wodon

Denver is conducting interviews this week with the hopes of picking a new coach by next week, CollegeHockeyNews.com has learned.

Denver needs to replace George Gwozdecky, its coach of 19 years, who was fired last week.

Current RPI coach Seth Appert, and Derek Lalonde, head coach of the USHL's Green Bay Gamblers, will be in Denver this week for interviews, according to sources. Both Appert and Lalonde are former Denver assistant coaches. [read entire article].