Snoopy Senior Tourney Is Annual DU Reunion

(above) The championship winning DU Alumni Team will have plenty of bragging rights at DU Hockey's 60th Anniversary

Editor's Note: The final installment of LetsGoDU's four-part series focuses on the common bonds that exist between the upcoming 60th anniversary reunion of DU Hockey and the Snoopy Tournament. Included are thoughts from all of the alumni players from this year’s Snoopy team. Thanks again to DJ Powers who has given us this wonderful glimpse into DU's rich hockey tradition.

Exclusive to LetsGoDU
By DJ Powers
Staff Writer - NCAA
Hockey's Future (http://www.hockeysfuture.com)
Future Considerations (http://www.futureconsiderations.ca)

This October, the University of Denver will celebrate 60 years of Pioneers hockey. While this reunion celebration spans the entire history of the program and takes place about once every ten years, another DU hockey reunion takes place every July in Santa Rosa, CA. called the Snoopy’s Senior World Hockey Tournament (aka The Snoopy Tournament).

The commonality between the Pioneers hockey 60th anniversary reunion and the Snoopy Tournament are the many alumni involved. All of the alumni who participate in the Snoopy Tournament played under the legendary Murray Armstrong and some were even members of DU’s earliest NCAA Championship teams.

Of the 15 players who donned the crimson and gold jersey at the Snoopy Tournament this year, nine were DU alumni.

The Snoopy Tournament, in many ways, is an annual reunion to the men who participate in it each year. It is about being reunited with a fellow Pioneer and being with family. To understand just how close these men are, all you have to do is watch how they interact with one another – both on and off the ice. It is a fraternity that is unlike any other.

“This (Snoopy Tournament) for us is so special,” said Wayne Smith. “This is our group in our particular period, so we have great, close relationships within this particular group and so this almost serves as our annual get-together for a reunion.”

All nine alumni players gave their personal insights into what the 60th anniversary reunion means to them at last month’s Snoopy Tournament. While not all of them will be attending the October celebration, most will.

“Well we’re looking forward to the 2009 reunion,” Norm Kvern glowingly intoned. “It’s the 60th anniversary of DU hockey and we’re encouraging all alumni, their spouses, and their friends to please come out and have a great time because it’s going to be a wonderful reunion and be a lot of fun for everybody. We live in Denver, so we’ll host anybody and a cocktail party too. We’ll share a few cold beers at the Campus Lounge, the Stadium Inn and where ever else that may be required.”

“I’ll be there at the reunion and very much looking forward to it,” added Bill Pettinger. “I booked it about three months ago and just really looking forward to getting reacquainted with all of the guys.”

What makes reunions such as these so special are the many fascinating, humorous and heart-warming stories. Simply put, even the best writers in the world could never dream up most of this stuff. When you hear the stories, you also see the emotions too, whether it’s about the newest word that Murray Armstrong had put into their vocabulary or going back to the day that Keith Magnuson was taken from them.

“I think it’s wonderful that so many of the people are getting together again and having a lot of fun and recounting old tales, past glories and the humorous moments,” said Smith. “Whether I’ll be there or not, I don’t know right now, but we kind of think that we will be. We may make a special trip to Denver because that’s where our children and grandchildren are, so we may work something out depending on what our schedules are. We’d like to be there.”

Players such as Ron Grahame are even making it a family affair.

“I will be at the reunion with my wife, Charlotte and my son, Jason, who graduated in ’03. 60 years is pretty special. I’m hoping that there are a lot of DU alums that will come back and kind of get to get reacquainted with each other and find out what everybody is doing. I think it’ll feel like people never left and that they do come back. It would be very special if they would do that. I don’t think there are any real goals, other than the fact of trying to get alumni back to the campus who haven’t been there for a long time to see the campus and just to get reacquainted. I don’t think there’s anything that’s special about what the alumni in 60 years are trying to do for the current program, but it’s going to be nice because it’s during the season. They can see a game and see how the game has changed.”

The reality that this particular group will dwindle in the coming years is something that they have all accepted and try not to think about. And it is also an indication that these reunions in Denver will see fewer of the original Pioneers in the years to come as well.

““I think it’s great because when we get to this age, we get to see these eight or nine guys that we don’t get to see that don’t still play hockey,” said Wayne Wiste. “So going back there and seeing everybody for the last time will be great because we all have our health going down and it may have something working with me too. So that’s why I’m really anxious to be going back, to see some of those guys that I haven’t seen in a long time.”

“I hope to see a lot of people that I really don’t know like people from the 60’s to today and the people that were there before us, so I hope a lot of people will show up,” added John MacMillan. “It may cause a lot of camaraderie that may not be there simply because I don’t know anybody that played in the 70’s and might know some of the guys that played on the early teams, the really early teams, but I don’t know. A lot of those guys are gone or not doing well (health-wise). I think it could be a lot of fun, which may cause what Donny (Cameron) is trying to build here (at the Snoopy Tournament), and really support the team for Gwozdecky there.”

One player who will not be attending the 60th anniversary reunion is defenseman Bob Peers, but he also has a pretty good reason too.

“I think that’s great to have a program that is as strong as it has been over that period of time. I think Michigan is the one program that we look at record-wise that have achieved a similar thing, but Michigan is also a bigger school. I think the University of Denver on a whole, for a relatively small school to have national champions, a hockey scene and what they’ve had is a major accomplishment. I think the recognition that it’s getting is really great, but I’m not going. Dolli’s mother is having her 100th birthday that same weekend. So that’s important to both of us.”

All of the alumni on the DU Snoopy Tournament team know just how much work and how many people were involved in making the upcoming 60th anniversary reunion celebration possible, and players such as Jim Wiste and Don Cameron wanted to be sure to acknowledge some of them.

“There’s a lot to coordinate that people don’t realize that goes into it and yet it’s only for two or three days,” explained Wiste. “So I’m looking forward to it. Peg (Bradley-Doppes) has been so helpful and the school has been unbelievable. They should be thanked for it because they have spent so much for everything and have helped us so much. I think that should be put across. Ronnie Grahame has helped a lot and he’s with the university. George has given us ice time too. They could just say to us “do what you have to do,” but they’ve done more than that and I think that’s important. That’s also what makes us feel good and makes us want to do things for them as well.

"We’re going to see guys that we haven’t seen in a long time. I’m going to meet players that I’ve never met that played for DU. I think our tradition is there. Here at the Snoopy Tournament we’re known as the University of Denver team and 80 to 90 percent of our players are from DU. I was just talking with some people and I was telling them that I think what helps an organization is their tradition, whether it be pro or just college. The schools that seem to do well have good traditions and I think that’s so important down the line when you look at a Notre Dame or a Michigan."

"Michigan might be our rivals (at the Snoopy Tournament), but you have to respect them for their tradition. We have that too and we want to continue it. I’m from Saskatchewan, so the day that I came down here I was a young boy from a small town who was all of a sudden in Denver. I’ve made my home here and my life has changed. When you look back at it, Murray always said “things will never be the same for you because you’re going to change, whether it be hockey or your life or your style or things like that.” So I think these are things that we don’t have enough time to go over in every respect because you’re thinking about things like the friendships. I think the biggest thing is that you don’t see players in a long time and they’re like brothers. I think the DU tradition is one of the strongest in hockey. If not, we’re in the top five and we’re on the map. I think hockey put DU on the map.”

“I’m really looking forward to it, added Cameron. “The people behind it have worked really, really hard. Most of the alumni have been back at one time or another, but this one is covering a lot of years. So it’ll be interesting. They’ll be some things that I’m sure will happen, like the 60s teams will gather, and the teams before us and the teams after us will gather too. And then there will be times when we all will get together. One of the beauties about DU hockey is that it spans so many years. We certainly know the names of the guys from the 50s and we’ve met most of them. They would maybe able to relate to us a little bit. We would be able to relate to the guys after us and they relate back to us, so after awhile it’s just that same ‘ol thing. It’s that common bond and the pride of playing in a great program. You also get see everyone in person at DU. So when we have the reunion it will be quite nice.”

While the upcoming 60th anniversary reunion is sure to rekindle and even begin new friendships between the many generations of players who will be present, it will also remind us all of the importance of preserving a cherished and illustrious tradition that is known as DU hockey.

In some ways, the Snoopy Tournament serves as an endearing albeit little known testament to that tradition. And as long as DU continues to have teams in the tournament, the past will continue to live on and come to life with those who make the pilgrimage to California each summer to participate in this very unique hockey reunion.

Photos Of DU's Championship Alumni Hockey Team

(above) The boys celebrate bringing home the Gold Medal in the 60 & Over "A" Division at the Snoopy Senior Hockey Tournament

Front Row: Peter Markle and Wayne Wiste
Back Row: Norm Kvern, Bill Pettinger, Bob Brawley, Jim Wiste, Wayne
Smith, Marv Hall (the guy who gave away the free beer!), Randy
Harper, Bill Caton, Don Cameron, and John MacMillan

(above) The ladies show off the Championship Trophy

(pictured left to right):
Barbara Jo (BJ) Smith - Wayne Smith's wife
Sandy Halas - Pat Halas' wife
Joanie Cunningham - Jim Wiste's girlfriend
Joline MacMillan - John MacMillan's wife
Dolli Peers - Bob Peers' wife
Mary Jo Kvern - Norm Kvern's wife
Marie Harrison - Don Cameron's wife
Gail Pettinger - Bill Pettinger's wife

(above) The Gold Medal

(above) A close-up of the Trophy

(above) The ladies pose with DU's 1964 WCHA Championship Banner

DU's Boys Of Summer Whip Michigan; Win Tourney

First row: Norm Kvern, Peter Markle, Pat Halas, Bob Peers (laying down) and Don Cameron
Standing: Jim Wiste, Bob Brawley, Jim Fieldy, Bill Pettinger, Wayne Wiste, Randy Harper, Ron Grahame, Bill Caton, John MacMillan and Wayne Smith

Proving that DU's five National Championships in the 1960's were no fluke. DU's Alumni team defeated the University of Michigan Alumni 3-1 today in the Snoopy Senior Hockey Tournament. For the second straight year DU won the 60 & Older "A" Division.

DU Alums Win 2nd Game At Snoopy Tournament

(left) Ron Grahame seen here during his playing days at the University of Denver in the early Seventies

Editor's Note: DJ Powers of Hockey's Future is in California this weekend covering the Snoopy Senior World Hockey Tournament. For the third 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 commitment to this event.

Article by: DJ Powers
Staff Writer - NCAA
Hockey's Future
Future Considerations

The spectacular goaltending of Ron Grahame highlighted a terrific game that went down to the wire on Monday afternoon as DU hung on to beat the surging Calgary Old Buffaloes 3-2 in their second game in the Snoopy Tournament.

Calgary came into game fresh off of a 4-2 upset over the Michigan Wolverines on Sunday night.

The pace was rather cautious to begin with, but things would get going quickly as the game wore on.

DU drew first blood as Bill Pettinger opened the scoring at the 1:57 mark with a shot that slipped in between the Calgary goaltender’s pads.

Grahame was tested early as Calgary displayed some excellent puck movement.

The Old Buffaloes drew the first power play of the contest when defenseman Randy Harper was called for a hook at the 3:42 mark. DU’s outstanding penalty killing continued and the Pioneers did an excellent job of keeping many of Calgary’s shots to the outside.

Near the halfway point of the period, the Old Buffaloes nearly tied the game when the rolling puck was headed in the open net. Grahame would come up with one of his many sensational saves when he lunged back to grab the puck just before it was about to cross the goal line.

As the opening period began to go into its latter stages, the Pioneers found themselves on their heels a bit as Calgary applied some great pressure in the offensive zone. And at the 16:17 mark, that effort would pay off when Steve Richardson put in the equalizer that snuck in just inside the near post. The goal also ended Grahame’s shutout streak at just over 76 minutes.

About a minute and half later, Calgary would get the opportunity to take their first lead of the game when John MacMillan was called for a hook at the 17:43 mark.

The second period began with DU shorthanded with 46 seconds left on MacMillan’s hooking call. While DU successfully killed their second penalty of the game, it did little to slow the Old Buffaloes momentum. Calgary continued to test Grahame, and the DU netminder put on a clinic with some acrobatic saves.

The Pioneers would regain the lead once again at the 2:54 mark when Norm Kvern potted a nice goal off of a rebound chance.

DU would get an opportunity to extend their lead further on their first power play of the tournament. That came at 4:15 when Calgary’s Jeff Bowles was called for body checking. [Note: The Snoopy Tournament is a non-checking tournament].

While the Pioneers enjoyed success on the penalty kill, the same couldn’t be said for their power play. Calgary’s great defensive coverage allowed DU little time and space to setup their power plays. That resulted in some good shorthanded opportunities for the Old Buffaloes as well.

As the game reached the midway point of the period, the game had opened up considerably, but both teams were also guilty of giving the other some odd-man chances as the period entered the latter half.

One odd-man situation led to the Pioneers’ next goal at the 15:48 mark. MacMillan, who got together on the play with Pettinger, finished it with a terrific wrist shot that beat the Calgary netminder for the 3-1 score.

With the period winding down, Calgary would get into some penalty trouble giving DU another chance to extend their lead yet again. This time, it would be a five-on-three opportunity. At the 17:08 mark, the Old Buffaloes’ Bob Bridger was called for a slash. Two minutes and ten seconds later at the 19:18 mark, Bowles would be called for an elbow.

The final stanza began with DU on a five-on-three for seven seconds and another 2:10 on the man-advantage. Once again, DU struggled to get their power play together and their golden opportunity to potentially put the game out of Calgary’s reach was squandered.

After successfully killing off a five-on-three Pioneers power play, Calgary stepped things up and would go on to dominate DU in the period.

At the 2:00 mark, Harper was called for interference, giving the Old Buffaloes their third power play of the game. DU once again killed off the penalty, thanks in large part to some great saves by Grahame.

As the period wore on, the intensity was slowly being ratcheted up as things were beginning to get heated between the two teams.

Nearing the midway point of the period, the many whistles that were suddenly so prevalent effectively killed whatever momentum each team had established to that point. And the resulting frustration of both teams was quite visible. When the many whistles subsided, DU once again found themselves back on their heels as Calgary was applying some outstanding pressure once more. The pressure would again pay off for the Old Buffaloes as defenseman Bob Brawley was called for body checking at the 12:27 mark after drilling a Calgary player. On the ensuing power play, Calgary would notch their second goal of the game at the 14:51 mark when Rick Schillington’s shot snuck under a sprawling Grahame and into the net.

And it wouldn’t get any easier for the Pioneers either.

DU’s parade to the sin bin continued at 18:20 when defenseman Bob Peers was called for interference. Down a goal and with time winding down, the Old Buffaloes pulled their goaltender for a six-on-four power play. Calgary relentlessly threw everything they had at the DU net to tie the game again. And in the waning seconds of regulation time, Grahame made his best save of the game with an unbelievable toe-save to give DU the win. It was a fantastic finish to a fantastic game.

DU went 0-for-3 on the power play. Calgary went 1-for-5 on the power play.

Next up, the University of Michigan Wolverines on Wednesday.

Box Score

First Period:
DU 1-0 Bill Pettinger (1:57) [John MacMillan]
Calgary 1-1 Steve Richardson (16:17) [Ron Wright]

Second Period:
DU 2-1 Norm Kvern (2:54) [Peter Markle]
DU 3-1 John MacMillan (15:48) [Bill Pettinger] (GWG)

Third Period:
Calgary 3-2 Rick Schillington (14:51) [Steve Richardson, Harry Poon]

DU Hockey Alums Win 1st Game @ Snoopy Tourney

DU crushes Reno 8-0 in Snoopy Tournament opener.... University of Michigan Alums lose to Calgary in 1st game


Editor's Note: DJ Powers of Hockey's Future is in California this weekend covering the Snoopy Senior World Hockey Tournament. For the third 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 commitment to this event.

Article by: DJ Powers
Staff Writer - NCAA
Hockey's Future
Future Considerations

Some brilliant goaltending by Ron Grahame and a five-goal outburst in the second period propelled DU to an 8-0 rout of the Reno Aces on Sunday in the Marcie (60A) Division opener.

Like the beginning of last year’s meeting against Reno, DU got off to a slow start once again. While the Pioneers generated some good scoring opportunities early in the opening stanza, they failed to beat the Aces’ goaltender.

For much of the first half of the first period Grahame saw few shots, but that would change in the latter half of the period as both teams had settled in and Reno began to generate some good scoring chances of their own.

At the 13:33 mark, Reno would get the first power play opportunity of the game when defenseman Bob Peers was called for a hook.

DU successfully killed off the penalty and went back to work.

At the 19:05 mark, defenseman Bob Brawley got the Pioneers on the board first with the eventual game-winner when he flipped a backhander over the Aces netminder. Wayne Smith, who has been moved to forward in the tournament, and newcomer Peter Markle drew the assists.

The combination of excellent puck movement by DU and poor defensive coverage by Reno led to a dominant performance by the Pioneers in the second period.

The scoring outburst began at the 3:50 mark when Smith put home a rebound to put DU up 2-0. Just 53 seconds later at the 4:43 mark, Caton made it 3-0 DU when he blasted in a shot from the point.

The barrage in front of the Reno would be a recurring scene throughout the period as the Pioneers relentlessly peppered the Aces netminder.

One problem that plagued the Reno goaltender throughout the game was controlling rebounds. And that led to DU’s next goal at the 7:11 mark by Caton.

While Grahame wasn’t quite as busy as his Reno counterpart, he was rock solid when called upon. The few quality chances that Reno generated in the period were effectively shutdown by Grahame and the stingy DU defense.

Bill Pettinger would extend the Pioneers lead to 5-0 after his shot went five-hole on the Aces netminder at the 13:40 mark.

Reno would get another chance to get on the board at the 17:03 mark when Pettinger was called for hook. However, it would be DU that would get on the board instead.

DU’s only special teams goal of the game came at the 18:00 mark when Markle tapped home the shorthanded tally.

The Pioneers began the final period with 23 seconds left in Pettinger’s hooking penalty. [Note: Minor penalties in the Snoopy Tournament are three minutes long]. Once again, DU was successful in their kill and it didn’t take long before the scoring got going once again.

At the 1:27 mark, Jim Wiste put the Pioneers up 7-0 off of another rebound chance. Shortly thereafter, the frustration of the Aces began to show as one of the Reno players momentarily tangled up with one of the Pioneers.

About four minutes into the period, the Aces would generate some good scoring chances only to see them stopped by Grahame.

Reno would get another shot at getting on the board at the 13-minute mark when Pat Halas was called for trip. Shortly into the power play, Grahame would make arguably his best save of the game when he made a beautiful, sprawling save on a two-on-one chance.

DU would give Reno a glorious opportunity to spoil Grahame’s shutout bid when Markle was called off for a trip at the 8:34 mark, giving the Aces a two-man advantage for 1:28. And while Reno had perhaps their best power play of the game, Grahame and the Pioneers defense stood tall, effectively killing off both penalties.

Halas would put the frosting on the cake for DU when he put home a rebound at the 15:43 mark.

While the game was well out of reach for Reno at this point, Grahame shutout bid was not. The Aces came very close to getting one by the Pioneers netminder with just over a minute left in the game when the Reno player’s shot had just missed going into the open side of the DU net.

When the final buzzer sounded, DU not only won, but preserved the shutout for Grahame as well, who had made several crucial saves throughout the contest.

Reno went 0-4 on the power play. DU did not have a power play in the game.

Next up, the Calgary Old Buffaloes on Monday.

DU Hockey Alumni Snoopy Tournament Preview

Editor's Note: DJ Powers of Hockey's Future will be in California this weekend covering the Snoopy Senior World Hockey Tournament. For the third 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 commitment to this event.

Article by: DJ Powers
Staff Writer - NCAA
Hockey's Future
Future Considerations

The reigning Marcie (60A) Division gold medalists Denver Pioneers will be looking to successfully defend their title when the 34th annual Snoopy’s Senior World Hockey Tournament gets underway on Saturday in Santa Rosa, CA.

This year’s Marcie Division is shaping up to be one of the best in recent years.

Unlike in previous years, DU opens and wraps up play in the first half of the tournament this year. The Pioneers open Marcie Division play for the second consecutive year against the Reno Aces on Sunday, July 12. Reno, the Marcie Division bronze medalists, took DU to overtime last year before falling 4-5.

The Pioneers next opponent is the Calgary Old Buffaloes on Monday, July 13. The Old Buffaloes, who are making a return to the Snoopy Tournament this year, is one of four teams representing the city of Calgary in the tournament.

DU concludes tournament play on Wednesday, July 15 when they face-off against their tournament nemesis, the University of Michigan. This is the game that both teams circle on their respective calendars when the tournament schedule is released every year. It is by far one of the best and most hotly contested matches of the entire tournament. The Red Berenson-led Wolverines will be looking to exact some revenge on the Pioneers after a 2-3 loss in last year’s Marcie Division championship game. And if the recent Snoopy Tournament matches between these two storied teams are any indication, this year’s contest will certainly have no shortage of excitement and fireworks.

Most of last year’s team remains intact with a few changes (see roster listing below). Ron Grahame returns in goal, while long-time regular Bill Goodacre will not play due to injury. However, he may make the trip with the team.

Also missing from this year’s roster are DU’s top scorer in last year’s tournament Tom Miller, and defensemen Blake Emery and Peter McEwen due to other commitments.

The Pioneers will welcome two new defensemen to this year’s squad in Bill Caton and Randy Harper. Both players hail from Red Deer, Alberta.

2009 DU Pioneers Snoopy Tournament schedule (all times are PST)

Game #1: Sunday, July 12 @ 9:10am vs. Reno Aces
Game #2: Monday, July 13 @ 12:20pm vs. Calgary Old Buffaloes
Game #3: Wednesday, July 15 @ 7:45am vs. University of Michigan Wolverines

2009 DU Pioneers Snoopy Tournament Roster
Goaltender
Ron Grahame (DU 1970-1973)

Defensemen
Wayne Smith (DU 1963-66)
Bob Peers (DU 1963-66)
Bob Brawley (Michigan State 1964-67)
Bill Caton
Randy Harper

Forwards
Wayne Wiste (DU 1965-67)
Don Cameron (DU 1964-67)
Jim Wiste (DU 1966-68)
John MacMillan (DU 1957-60)
Bill Pettinger (DU 1969-71)
Norm Kvern (DU 1964-65)
Pat Halas

Denver Post: Wiercioch Pledges Loyalty To DU

(above) Patrick Wiercioch is trying out for Team Canada this week

In 1999, University of Denver forward Matt Pettinger was assigned to Canada's world junior team, joining Wisconsin's Dany Heatley as the squad's only members from U.S. college hockey.

The proud Pioneers celebrated the sophomore's rare achievement before and after he returned from Switzerland with a bronze medal.

However, a week after returning to Denver, Pettinger left the Pioneers to play for a major-junior team in Calgary. During his time with Team Canada, Pettinger was sold on the idea that playing in the Canadian Hockey League was an easier path to the NHL.[read rest of story]

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]

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 Players In The NHL

From: Rocky Mountain News
by Pat Rooney

(left) LW Matt Pettinger (Washington Capitals)

Part III of article that appeared yesterday in the Rocky Mountain News

Former University of Denver Pioneers playing in the NHL:

* C Paul Stastny ( Avalanche) - Burst onto NHL scene last season after spending two seasons at DU. Named to NHL All-Rookie team after recording 78 points, second most among all rookies. The son of Hall of Famer Peter Stastny has continued his torrid pace this season, beginning campaign with a hat trick in the opener, posting eight points in the first three games and leading Colorado in points.

* D Matt Carle (San Jose Sharks) - DU's 2005-2006 team captain and 2006 Hobey Baker Award winner signed a four-year extension with Sharks. Named to NHL All-Rookie team last season after compiling 11 goals and 31 assists in 77 games.

* LW Matt Pettinger (Washington Capitals) - Most experienced former Pioneers player in NHL has scored more than 50 goals in seven seasons with Capitals. Logged his 300th NHL game earlier this year. Posted career bests of 20 goals and 18 assists in 2005-06.

* G Wade Dubielewicz (New York Islanders) - DU's all-time leader in goals-against average (2.20) and saves percentage (.923) is Rick DiPietro's backup in the Big Apple. Dubielewicz made his NHL debut in 2004 and made a start in the playoffs last season for Islanders.

DU Hockey Alums In The Pros - 2007

The Official "Mustards Last Stand" Pioneer Professional All-Hot Dog Team

Thanks to our resident Pionologist & LetsGoDU Statistician "Duper" (who can frequently be found working at Mustard's...Don't forget to ask for your LetsGoDU 10% Discount) we have updated statistics on all of the guys that we know of currently playing professional hockey all over the world. There are four alums currently playing in the NHL.

2006 Edition Of Pioneers In The Pros

Goaltenders

Team - League - GP - W - L - OT - GAA - S%

Wade Dubielewicz - NY Islanders - NHL - 3 - 1 - 1 - 5.08 - .836
Dubie was shelled in his first appearance, things have gotten better since.

Adam Berkhoel - Grand Rapids Griffins - AHL - 10 - 3 - 6 - 1 - 3.76 - .879
Berky splits time with 2004 NC game opponent Jimmy Howard

Glenn Fisher - Stockton Thunder - ECHL - 9 - 4 - 3 - 1 - 3.23 - .903
2 shutouts

Sinuhe Wallinheimo - JYP - sm-liiga (Finland) .923 S%
sm-liiga has changed their site, and, not reading Finnish, the only solid stat I can find is S% He is generally a top league goalie, but for a crappy team.


Skaters

Team - League - G - A - P - +/- - PM

Paul Stastny - Colorado Avalanche - NHL - 9 - 14 - 23 - +2 - 10 - 1pp - 2gw
Leads team in points and assists

Matt Carle - San Jose Sharks - NHL - 1 - 5 - 6 - -3 - 4 - 1pp
Carle just got a 4 yr extension

Matt Pettinger - Washington Capitals - NHL - 1 - 2 - 3 - -2 - 17 - 1pp - 1gw

Ryan Caldwell - San Antonio Rampage - AHL - 1 - 3 - 4 - +6 - 23 - 1sh
In 2 games with the NHL Phoenix Coyotes, Caldwell had 2 PM in about 12 minutes on ice.

Kevin Doell - Chicago Wolves - AHL - 1 - 4 - 5 - +4 - 26

Mark Rycroft - Lake Erie Monsters - AHL - 0 - 5 - 5 - E - 9

Gabe Gauthier - Manchester Monarchs - AHL - 7 - 16 - 23 - -1 - 21 - 6pp
Gabe is 3rd in the league in points

Aaron MacKenzie - Peoria Rivermen - AHL - 0 - 2 - 2 - -3 - 8

Brett Skinner - Providence Bruins - AHL - 1 - 7 - 8 - E - 8

Gavin Morgan - Rockford Ice Hogs - AHL - 0 - 2 - 2 - -2 - 7

Connor James - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins - AHL - 4 - 5 - 9 - +3 - 10

Ryan Dingle - Portland Pirates - AHL - 0 - 2 - 2 - -1 - 4 - 7 games
Augusta Lynx - ECHL - 2 - 8 - 10 - -7 - 10 - 1pp - 9 games
Dingle currently plays for Augusta

Adrian Veideman - Augusta Lynx - ECHL - 2 - 7 - 9 - -4 - 20

Kevin Ulanski - Elmira Jackals - ECHL - 4 - 8 - 12 - +2 - 10 - 2pp - 1sh

Luke Fulghum - Elmira Jackals - ECHL - 6 - 5 - 11 - -2 - 0 - 2pp - 1sh - 8 games
Stockton Thunder - ECHL - 1 - 1 - 2 - -1 0 - 1 pp - 5 games
Fulghum currently plays for Elmira

J. D. Corbin - Johnstown Chiefs - ECHL - 1 - 7 - 8 - -9 - 10 - 1pp

Geoff Paukovich - Stockton Thunder - ECHL - 4 - 3 - 7 - +1 - 12 - 1sh

Jon Foster - Wheeling Nailers - ECHL - 0 - 0 - 0 - -7 - 8

Erik Adams - Colorado Eagles - CHL - Has not played this season

James Patterson - Huntsville Havoc - SPHL - 5 - 5 - 10 - -1 - 2 - 4pp - 1gw

Jussi Halme - Tappara - sm-liiga - 0 - 2 - 2 - -5 - 14

Antti Laaksonen - Fribourg-Gotteron (Swi) - 8 - 6 - 14 - 28PM

An interesting note; While Duper can't seem to find him this year, Lukas Dora played in England last season.

Puck Swami's list of DU's most notable athletes all-time

DU Alums In The Pros - 2006

The Official "Mustards Last Stand" Pioneer Professional All-Hot Dog Team

USCHO poster & DU Superfan "Duper" has posted an updated list of former Pioneers currently playing professional hockey

NHL
Matt Carle - San Jose
Antti Laaksonen - Colorado
Mark Rycroft - Colorado
Paul Stastny - Colorado
Matt Pettinger - Washington

AHL
Ryan Caldwell - Bridgeport Sound Tigers
Wade Dublieweciz - Bridgeport
Kevin Doell - Chicago Wolves
Gabe Gauthier - Manchester Monarchs
Aaron MacKenzie - Peoria Rivermen
Brett Skinner - Portland Pirates
Adam Berkhoel - Rochester Americans
Connor James - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins

ECHL
Luke Fulghum - Columbia Inferno
Jon Foster - Wheeling Nailers

CHL
Erik Adams - Colorado Eagles

SPHL
James Patterson - Huntsville Havoc

UHL
Kevin Ulanski - Rockford Ice Hogs

Overseas
Sinuhe Wallinheimo - JYP - sm liiga (Finnish top league)
Jussi Halme - Sodertalje SK - Allsvenskan (Swedish 2nd league)
Gavin Morgan - Vienna-Austria
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List of Pioneers Who Played Professional Hockey

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Here's a link to Hockey Database's List of many Pioneer players who played professional hockey over the years with teams, statistics & leagues played in. Current players statistics will be a year old. Unfortunately, there appears to be several omissions.

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Puck Swami's list of DU's most notable athletes

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A complete list of DU players who have played professional hockey is avaliable in the DU Media Guide available in the Magness Arena Shop.