Justin Jones Leaves DU And Returns To NAHL

(above) Justin Jones leaves DU after not appearing in a single game

From: NAHL.com

Texas Tornado Head Coach and General Manager Tony Curtale has announced that former Texas Tornado forward Justin Jones has returned to the team after spending the first semester at the University of Denver. “There were a variety of reasons he decided to leave school,” said Curtale.

“I think Justin returning to the team will allow him to focus on developing more as a player and get him into a better collegiate situation where is more comfortable and can get the playing time he wants and deserves.” Last season, Jones had 20 points in 54 games played for the Tornado, but was 2nd on the team in playoff scoring with three points in five games. In order to make room for Jones, the Tornado parted ways with forward Patrick Gregory, who played two games with Texas, recording two assists.

News & Notes From Around PioNation

2012 DU recruit Josah Didier (6'2 200 lbs) looks like he is going to be one heck of a find for the Pioneers. He is tied for third in the USHL for assists by a defenseman. Didier already won a National Championship with the AAA Colorado Thunderbirds as a 16 year-old.

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DU players Sam Brittain and David Makowski picked up some WCHA league honors yesterday. Brittain was named WCHA Defensive Player of the Week and Makowski was named Rookie of the Week. For Brittain, its his third WCHA weekly award so far this season.

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SB Nation writer Evan Pfaff thinks that the University of Denver should reconsider joining the WAC. He doesn't seem to think the conference will survive.

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Speaking of the WAC, the Denver Post has an article about the latest rumors of schools thinking about or declining offers to join the conference. TCU, Seattle, Hawaii and North Texas are all mentioned.

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The next shoe to fall could be Utah State. Supposedly they have already been invited to join the Mountain West but declined out of loyalty to the WAC. With Hawaii's impending departure all bets may be off.

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Things are not off to a good start for the PioNation basketball program. An 0-4 start isn't the end of the world, but then the team's brand spanking new blog "The Pioneer Post" had to change their name to the "Pioneer Pulse."

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Three younger brothers of DU hockey players won Gold Medals last week at the Four Nations Cup for Team USA Under-17s. Supposedly. Seth Jones, the younger brother of Justin Jones, was the best player on the ice all week. Seth Jones is considered to be a potential 2012 NHL first round draft selection. Quentin Shore, the third of four Shore brothers, is reportedly looking at the University of Wisconsin and other schools as well as DU. Dakota Mermis, brother of DU forward Jarrod Mermis, played on the blueline for Team USA and has already committed to DU on 2012.

2011 Recruiting Class
D Scott Mayfield (Youngstown, USHL)
F Zac Larraza (U.S. Under-18)
F Garrett Allen (Fargo, USHL)
D Matt Van Voorhis (U.S. Under-18)
D Joey LaLeggia (Penticton Vees, BCHL)
F Larkin Jacobson (Janesville Jets, NAHL)

2012 Recruiting Class
F Tyler Pham (Colorado Thunderbirds-U18)
D Dakota Mermis (U.S. Under-17)
D Josiah Didier (Cedar Rapids, USHL)
F Daniel Doremus (Sioux Falls, USHL)

DU Clarion: North Dakota Next Up For Pioneers

(above) Next up; The Fighting Mullets

From: DU Clarion
by Steve Coulter

WCHA play gets tougher for DU as they travel to Grand Forks, North Dakota, to take on No. 8 ranked Fighting Sioux.

The Pioneers practiced yesterday and will hold practice today and tomorrow in Magness Arena.

DU departs Thursday morning and will get one practice in North Dakota before Friday's game, which begins at 6:37 p.m. MST.

"We'll get off the plane and practically step on the ice," said Gwozdecky. "So Thursday's practice won't be as thorough as we would have if we were playing at home."

As the team prepares for its second WCHA series, freshman Sam Brittain will most likely be asked to start both games as sophomore Adam Murray is nursing a groin injury.

Brittain started both contests against Wisconsin, limiting the Badgers to two goals in each match.

"Sam relishes the opportunity to play in both games," said Gwozdecky. "He held us within two (versus Wisconsin), knowing that if he did we could get the momentum on our side."

As for naming a permanent starter in net, Gwozdecky said he is not making up his mind just yet as Murray has to recover from his injury in order for the staff to evaluate each goaltender.

"I would have to say his status is questionable," said Gwozdecky.

Other Notable Injuries

Dusty Jackson has Mono, Nick Shore has wrist issues, Paul Phillips has persistent nosebleeds, and Justin Jones likely won't play until at least Thanksgiving due to what may be eligibility, transcript or academic issues. DU has not issued a statement regarding Jones as of yet. Jarrod Mermis is expected to be back from a groin injury this week.

Players With Ties To DU Make USNDT-Under17

USA Hockey announced the roster for the USNDP-Under 17 Team yesterday. Three players with ties to DU were selected to the team.

2012 DU recruit Dakota Mermis (5'10 165) was selected as one of the eight defensemen. Mermis has been mentioned as a possible 1st Round Draft Choice in the 2012 NHL Draft. Dakota's older brother Jarrod will suit up as a Freshman at DU this season.

Quentin Shore (6'0 165), younger brother of DU players Drew and Nick Shore was selected as a forward. Quentin has been offered a scholarship by DU, but he is still weighing his options.

Lastly, Seth Jones (6'3 183), considered by many to be a surefire NHL 1st Round pick in 2012 was also selected to the team. Jones' older brother, Justin, will be a Freshman forward at DU this season. Both brothers started playing youth hockey in Denver, while their father Popeye Jones played for the Denver Nuggets.

Some were surprised that DU recruit Tyler Pham wasn't selected to the Under-17 team. He was one of 47 players invited to tryout for the team over the summer. We're guessing he'll play in the USHL for the next two seasons. It is often mentioned that a developing player is better off playing on the top two lines in the USHL that being shuffled down the bench on the USNDT.

2011 Recruiting Class
D Scott Mayfield (Youngstown, USHL)
F Zac Larraza (U.S. Under-18)
F Garrett Allen (Fargo, USHL)
D Matt Van Voorhis (U.S. Under-18)
D Daniel Doremus (Colorado Thunderbirds, AAA)

2012 Recruiting Class
F Tyler Pham (Team Illinios)
D Dakota Mermis (U.S. Under 17)
D Josiah Didier (Cedar Rapids, USHL)

DU Receives Commitment From Son Of NBA Player

(above) Justin Jones will be an incoming Freshman this Fall

From: Texas Tornado Website

The Texas Tornado announced that forward Justin Jones (5'11 180 lbs) has committed to the University of Denver, where he has accepted a scholarship to play for the Pioneers beginning this Fall.

“It is tough to put into words how excited I am,” said Jones. “I am very thankful to my family and the Texas Tornado for making this dream come true.”

In his first season with the Tornado, Jones played in 54 of the team’s 58 regular season games, scoring seven goals and adding 13 assists.

“I really feel like this past season was my best developmentally,” Jones said. “Coach (Curtale) did a great job of recognizing what type of player I was, focused on those skill sets and really taught me a lot about the mental aspect of the game. We had such good chemistry in the locker room and that played a big part in my success as well.”

Jones elevated his game during the 2010 Robertson Cup playoffs, as the 19-year-old forward was second in scoring with three points in five games.

“We are very happy for Justin and his family, and it is a testament to his work ethic and ability to be coached,” said Texas Tornado Head Coach and General Manager Tony Curtale. “Justin is an extremely good defensive forward and was one of the best skaters in the league. Both those assets will come in handy at the Division I collegiate level.”

Jones spent 1999 and 2000 in Denver while his dad, Popeye Jones, played in the NBA for the Denver Nuggets. He will be the first ever player in the 11-year history of the Texas Tornado to play for the University of Denver.

“I think Justin is going into a very nice situation at the University of Denver,” said Curtale. “He is familiar with the city and most importantly, he should be able to contribute from the start given his skill set.”

The University of Denver is one of the most storied programs in the history of NCAA hockey. Their seven NCAA National Championships rank second all-time to the University of Michigan’s nine. “Denver is a place I am familiar with so to be going back there to play college hockey for one of the most storied programs in the Nation… I couldn’t be happier.”

Since the creation of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association in 1959, the Pioneers have won nine WCHA Regular Season Championships 14 WCHA Playoff Championships.

2010 Recruiting Class
F Jason Zucker (U.S. Under-18)
D David Makowski (Green Bay, USHL)
F Nick Shore (U.S. Under-18)
F Beau Bennett (Penticton, BCHL)
F Dan Olszewski (St. Louis, NAHL)
F Jarrod Mermis (Lincoln, USHL)
G Sam Brittain (Canmore, AJHL)
F Justin Jones (Texas, NAHL)

2011 Recruiting Class
D Scott Mayfield (Youngstown, USHL)
F Zac Larraza (U.S. Under-17)
F Garrett Allen (Fargo, USHL)
D Matt Van Voorhis (U.S. Under-17)

2012 Recruiting Class
F Tyler Pham (Team Illinios)
D Dakota Mermis (St. Louis Jr. Blues, AAA)
D Josiah Didier (Cedar Rapids, USHL)
F Daniel Doremus (Colorado Thunderbirds, AAA)