Twitter: PioNation Reacts To Gwozdecky Firing

DU's Pro Hockey Camp Begins Today

From: DU Athletics Website

The second annual University of Denver Hockey Alumni Pro Camp will be held Aug. 22-26 at Joy Burns Ice Arena.

The pro camp will allow current professional DU hockey alums and other professional players to train together in preparation for their upcoming 2011-12 seasons. DU Associate Head Coach Steve Miller and former DU assistant coach and current Green Bay Gamblers head coach/general manager Derek Lalonde will provide on-ice instruction for the five-day camp, which runs daily next week from 10:15 AM - PM. The camp is open to the public FREE of charge.

DU hockey professional alumni expected to participate in this year's camp Paul Stastny (Colorado), Rhett Rakhshani (New York Islanders), Joe Colborne (Toronto), Marc Cheverie (Florida), Brock Trotter (Montreal), Patrick Mullen (Los Angeles), J.P. Testwuide (Phoenix), Andrew Thomas (New Jersey), Aaron MacKenzie (Austria), Geoff Paukovich and Matt Glasser.

Other professional players expected to participate in the camp include Peter Mueller (Colorado), Cody McLeod (Colorado), Kyle Quincey (Colorado), Ben Guite (San Jose), Nathan Oystrick (Phoenix) and Steve Oleksy (Colorado).

Testwuides' Website Recounts DU-CC Rivalry

(above) The Testwuide Brothers Website captures the passion of the DU-CC rivalry

The Testwuide Brothers Website gives a firsthand account of one of college hockey's most bitter rivalries.  The fans loathe one another, the teams don't like one another and in one case a family could have been split in two.

"Accepting an athletic scholarship to Colorado College was like ordering crème Brule after a steak dinner, an absolute no-brainer for Mile Testwuide. Not only did this decision capture a childhood dream, it created an epic dilemma for all members of the Testwuide family."

"The decision came while JP was halfway through his freshman year at the University of Denver. From his perspective, Mike had gone to the dark side, he had committed to the rival. At the time, Mike was aware that a rivalry existed but was completely naïve to the magnitude of hatred that existed between the two teams. For the next three years JP and Mike battled against each other in one of college hockey’s greatest rivalries."

News & Notes From Around PioNation

Former DU Captain J.P. Testwuide signed and AHL contract with the Philadelphia Flyers. Testwuide, 25, spent the 2009-10 season (his rookie season) with the Houston Aeros of the AHL, where he registered two goals, six assists and 111 penalty minutes in 58 games. J.P. will be reunited with his brother, Mike, who played at Colorado College, signed an entry-level deal last season with the Flyers through 2013.

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Former DU star and Colorado native, Luke Fulghum has been named to a British ice hockey all-star side to face Boston Bruins in October. Fulghum was top scorer last season in the British Elite League, scoring 54 goals in 65 games, leading his team in scoring with 92 points in his first season with the Belfast Blaze.

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Paul Kelly, czar of College Hockey Inc., is actively looking new schools to jump into the Division I hockey pool, in order to expand beyond the current 58 schools. He told a Canadian newspaper columnist Penn State is starting a program in September 2011, Indiana University is considering doing the same and there’s hope that some of the 421 U.S. colleges that have club teams in the American College Hockey Association may consider converting those to full-scholarship, Division I programs. With several potential coaching vacancies opening up in the next few seasons, it might explain why Steve Miller was considering the USHL Green Bay position.

Alumni Pro Camp Underway At DU

(above) Five former collegiate All-Americans were among those on the ice yesterday at DU

The first annual Denver Hockey Alumni Pro Camp started yesterday in Joy Burns Ice Arena. The camp attracted 17 skaters and two goaltenders during day one.

Former Pioneer All-Americans Paul Stastny, Chris Butler, Marc Cheverie, Gabe Gauthier and Rhett Rakhshani were joined on the ice by Peter Mannino, Joe Colborne, Geoff Paukovich, J.D. Corbin, J.P. Testwuide, Ryan Dingle, Tom May, Matt Glasser and Brandon Vossberg. Also participating during the first day of pro camp were current Colorado Avalanche players David Koci, Kyle Quincey and Cody McLeod, and former Toronto Maple Leaf Garnet Exelby and former Av Ben Guite. [read rest of article]

AHL Game Featured Four DU Alums Last Night

(above) Chicago Wolves (white) & Houston Aeros (green) featured Mannino vs. Dubbie last night in Houston

(left) Mannino's helmet this season features Boone as a Thrasher

DU alums DG & ScottA attended a AHL game between the Houston Aeros (Peter Mannino & J.P. Testwuide) and Chicago Wolves (Wade Dubielewicz, Kevin Doell) last night. We took a couple of Boone posters left over from the NCAA Regionals in Albany.

In the 2nd Period we moved down to the front row behind Mannino's goal with the Boone posters. Mannino saw the posters and laughed and then pointed to Boone on his helmet. Later in the period he pointed to the Boone stitched in his leg pads.

Naturally we made the Jumbotron in the 3rd Period with our DU sweaters & Boone posters as Mannino recorded a 4-0 shutout and was named #1 Star of the Game.

Daniel Doremus Commits To DU

(above) Dan Doremus is from Aspen, Colorado

Heisenberg's Recruiting Website is reporting that Daniel Doremus (6'1 180 lbs) from Steamboat Springs and Aspen, will attend the University of Denver in either 2011 or 2012. He is currently playing for the Colorado Thunderbirds where he has 23 goals and 20 assists in 39 games, while attending high school in Denver.

Before playing for the Thunderbirds, he played youth hockey for the Aspen Leafs. His older brother Tyler is a Sophomore hockey player at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY and is having a nice season with 10 goals & 4 assists in 25 games.

Next season Doremus has several opportunities to play in various junior leagues around North America. The NAHL Wenatchee Wild have "tendered" or offered him contract, announcing his intentions to play for them. Once a player signs a tender with a team, his NAHL playing rights belong to that team.

He is also expected to be drafted in the USHL Draft on May 19, 2010 and reportedly there are teams in the BCHL and AJHL up in Canada that are hot on his heels as well.

Gwozdecky and Miller mined gold in the Rockies in recent years with J.P. Testwuide and Ryan Dingle, so DU's unlikely but very successful recruiting pipeline in the heart of Colorado ski country remains open.

Doremus' coaches on the Thunderbirds this season are a couple former Pioneer players, Shawn Kurulak and Angelo Ricci.

Mike Chambers of the Denver Post has additional news on the Doremus signing as well as several hot prospects that might be future Pioneers in 2012-14.

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)

2011 Recruiting Class
D Scott Mayfield (Youngstown, USHL)
F Zac Larraza (U.S. Under-17)
G Sam Brittain (Canmore, AJHL)
F Garrett Allen (Fargo, USHL)
D Matt Van Voorhis (U.S. Under-17)
F Daniel Doremus (CO. Thunderbirds, Tier I)

2012 Recruiting Class
F Tyler Pham (Team Illinios)

News & Notes From Around Pioneer Nation

2010 DU recruit Jason Zucker is leading the USNDT-Under 18 Team in scoring with 10 goals and 9 assists.

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Another former Pioneer is coaching hockey. Ryan Hacker, a former University of Denver defenseman from 1996-99, is the head hockey coach at Sartell High School in Minnesota. The Sabres entered the season ranked No. 20 in Class A. Hacker has been the head coach there since 2007-08.

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As they said in Godfather Part II, former DU Captain J.P. Testuwuide is "dead to me." Now playing for AHL Houston Aeros, he spends his free time cheering for the Colorado College Tigers.

Godfather Part II Quotes: "I know it was you J.P. You broke my heart. You broke my heart!"

"J.P., you're nothing to me now. You're not a brother, you're not a friend. I don't want to know you or what you do. I don't want to see you at Magness Arena, I don't want you near DU. When you see Gwozdecky, I want to know a day in advance, so I won't be there. You understand?"

"I don't want anything to happen to J.P. while Gwozdecky is alive."

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According to Mike Chambers at the Denver Post both Chris Nutini & Patrick Wiercioch will practice today to test their injuries. Both injuries were not considered serious.

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Former DU defenseman Chris Butler suffered an ankle sprain in the first period of Buffalo’s 6-2 win against the Canadiens on Thursday, after getting tangled up with a Montreal forward in front of the net. Butler has played in all 25 games in the 2009-10 season, earning plenty of ice time in his sophomore NHL season. He currently is ranked second on the team with an average of 20:55 minutes per game, behind only rookie Tyler Myers (21:55). The injury is not considered serious.

Chambers Blog On Wiercioch, Testwuide & Owens

Mike Chambers must have a new compensation package at the Denver Post that pays him by the article, because he has three new postings today on his blog.

Good news on the Wiercioch situation.

The Testwuide Family is sticking together through think & thin. Needless to say Little Mikey is no longer welcome at the LetsGoDU Christmas Party after striking for three goals against DU on Saturday night.

CC Coach Scott Owens has some interesting quotes in Chambers' Blog.

News & Notes From Around Pioneer Nation

DU Alum J.P. Testwuide will attend the Minnesota Wild Prospect Development Camp this week. Testwuide worked himself into the Houston Areos lineup at the end of last season. He managed to appear in 13 of the Aeros 20 playoff games.

DU Alum Peter Mannino signed with the Atlanta Thrashers. Most likely Mannino will begin the season with the Chicago Wolves of the AHL.

Since midway through last season, Patrick Wiercioch has gained almost 20 lbs. and now stacks 197 lbs. on his 6-foot-5 frame. After picking up a point per game in his freshman season at the University of Denver, he is clear on his goal for next season. "I want to play in the NHL," said Wiercioch. "As soon as possible. If it's next year, hopefully I get the opportunity to. If not, I'll be more than happy to spend another year or two in college to develop."

Chevy Nets MVP Award At Hockey Awards Party

(above) Marc Cheverie was named team MVP on Friday night

Sophomore goaltender Marc Cheverie earned Most Valuable Player honors, while senior captain J.P. Testwuide joined Cheverie in netting two awards as the University of Denver celebrated its 53rd Annual Hockey Awards Evening tonight at the Cable Center on the DU campus.

See all DU awards winners

JP Testwuide Enrolled In "Playoff Beard Contest"

(above) J.P. Testwuide's Playoff Beard is coming in nicely

The Houston Aeros (AHL) signed University of Denver Alum JP Testwuide to an amateur tryout contract for the remainder of the 2008-09 season. J.P. has appeared in three of the Aeros ten playoff games.

The big news is that the Aeros are having a beard growing contest and fans can vote for the "Sickest Beard Contest." Since J.P.'s fanbase in Houston is probably a little thin right now, it looks like LetsGoDU is going to have to pull off a "Danny King" and rig this election. Send an email to the Aeros and vote for J.P.

Send the name of your vote to online@aeros.com and reasoning behind your choice can’t hurt. The judges can be bribed. The beards will be revisited as the playoffs roll on and the winner will be announced and probably awarded a Bic razor when the playoffs are through.

Testwuide Signs ATO Contract With Houston Aeros

The Houston Aeros of the American Hockey League (AHL) have signed defenseman JP Testwuide to amateur tryout contracts (ATO) for the remainder of the 2008-09 season.

Testwuide, 24 years-old, tallied 13 points (3-10=13) and 110 PIM in 36 games with the NCAA's University of Denver in the 2008-09 season. Testwuide helped the Pioneers earn a No. 1 seed in the West Region bracket during the NCAA tournament. The 6-foot, 210-pound native of Vail, Colorado recorded 28 points (5-23=28) and 282 PIM in his four-year college career. Testwuide will wear No. 13 with the Aeros.

Testwuide Played With Partially Torn Ligament

(above) The Denver Post reported that J.P Testwuide (left) played with a partially torn knee ligament yesterday

From: Denver Post
by Mike Chambers

Denver Coach George Gwozdecky just shook his head in disbelief when discussing his captain, senior defenseman J.P. Testwuide.

Testwuide, a non-scholarship recruit from Vail, played Friday with a partially torn ligament in his left knee.

"He shouldn't have played today," Gwozdecky said of Testwuide. "His knee is real bad, and that took unbelievable guts and determination. The pain threshold he has is incredible."

When told of Gwozdecky's comments, Testwuide said: "That's a big honor. Wow."

Testwuide, who entered the game with a team-high plus-17 rating, didn't practice with the team this week since he suffered the injury last Saturday in the WCHA playoff championship in St. Paul.

He called this season "a heck of a ride" and said "he wouldn't trade it for anything." [read entire article]

Chambers Blog Has A Series Of Articles

Denver Post writer Mike Chambers has been busy this week obviously rounding into playoff form with four entries in his blog. We love the extra coverage, so keep it up.

Chambers was at practice on Tuesday and has the latest report.

The first posting deals with Miami University's connection to DU. Former Denver Captain Brian Vines is an assistant at Miami.

Chambers was at practice on Monday and has injury updates on Testwuide, Bozak & Ruegsegger.

Finally Chambers breaks down what Tyler Bozak brings to the table this weekend in the playoffs. Chambers notes that Bozak's enthusiasm breeds confidence, but I wonder if his confidence breeds enthusiasm? Either way its great to have him back.

Testwuide's Mom, "J.P. Will Play On Friday"

(above) It may be time to bury the "unlucky half" of the hockey sweater

Confirmation that J.P. Testwuide might be ready to go on Friday afternoon against the University of Miami came from an unlike source according to the Denver Post.

"Gwozdecky said there was no medical update on DU defenseman and captain J.P. Testwuide, who left Saturday's game with a leg injury. However, Testwuide's mother, Janet, said from St. Paul on Sunday that her son 'is going to be fine' for Friday."

Denver Post: Testwuide Has "Serious Leg Injury"

(above) JP Testwuide was injured against UMD last night

From: Denver Post
by Mike Chambers

After losing the Western Collegiate Hockey Association playoff championship Saturday — and possibly the services of senior defenseman and captain J.P. Testwuide — only one title remains for the University of Denver's taking.

Testwuide, who leads the WCHA with a plus-16 rating, left in the second period with what DU coach George Gwozdecky said is a serious leg injury. [read entire article]

Denver Post Profiles DU Captain J.P. Testwuide

(above) DU's Captain J.P. Testwuide was named WCHA Scholar-Athlete of the year on Thursday

From: Denver Post
by Mike Chambers

If today's conference playoff game between the University of Denver and Wisconsin was about academic success, the Pioneers would win 18-5, and DU captain J.P. Testwuide would be named MVP.

Testwuide, the first Colorado native to don the "C" for the Pioneers, helped kick off the Western Collegiate Hockey Association Final Five on Thursday by delivering an eloquent speech upon being named the league's student-athlete of the year. [read rest of article]

WCHA End Of Season Awards Announced

Several DU players received post-season recognition from the WCHA. Western College Hockey Blog has all the results.

Most Outstanding Student-Athlete: J.P. Testwuide

2nd Team All-WCHA: Patrick Wiercioch, Marc Cheverie

3rd Team All-WCHA: Anthony Maiani, Rhett Rakhshani

All Rookie Team: Joe Colborne, Patrick Wiercioch

DU's Seniors Ready For Last Series In Magness

Special To LetsGoDU
By Pat Rooney

They hope their final season at the University of Denver does not end for about another month, most preferably with victory party at the end of the Frozen Four in Washington, D.C.

Nevertheless, one way or another it is the beginning of the end of the season, and this weekend the Pioneers’ three seniors will say farewell to Magness Arena.

The trio—forward Julian Marcuzzi, defenseman Patrick Mullen, and defenseman/team captain J.P. Testwuide—arrived at DU directly in the wake of the Pioneers’ back-to-back national championship teams of 2004 and 2005.

They have collected 88 wins and counting going into this weekend’s series against Alaska Anchorage in the first round of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association tournament. As freshmen, they played with current Colorado Avalanche standout Paul Stastny and Hobey Baker Award winner Matt Carle. As juniors, they helped DU win its 15th Broadmoor Trophy as the WCHA tournament champions and also helped lead the Pioneers into the NCAA tournament for the first time since the 2005 title run.

On the eve of their final appearance at Magness, the Pioneers’ three seniors discussed the highlights of their DU careers.

J.P. Testwuide - The Pioneers’ captain spent much of his first two seasons shuttling between forward and defense before finding a home on the blue line. Testwuide has registered career-bests in goals (three), assists (10), and points this season.

“Whenever you sweep at home, it’s always pretty special,” Testwuide said. “The guys come into the locker room and we sing the fight song, and I think it’s those kinds of moments that bring a team together. It’s pretty emotional. I think any sweep at home is the greatest memory.”

Patrick Mullen - Like Testwuide, Mullen spent much of his career at forward, averaging about 18.7 points during his first three seasons before moving to defense full-time this season. A skilled passer, Mullen is tied for second on the team with 19 assists and needs only one point to establish a new career-high.

“I remember the first game I ever played with all those guys that are in the NHL now,” Mullen said. “You always want to win the championship every year. We’re going to do our best to get back there.”

Julian Marcuzzi - Marcuzzi has dutifully played his role and has never complained as his playing time dwindled. Marcuzzi appeared in a career-most 23 games as a freshman and has been in the lineup 11 times this season.

“Regardless of the playing time, it’s special to be a part of the Denver hockey tradition,” Marcuzzi said.

“That stems from being around everyone in the dressing room, from the coaching staff to all the players and the alumni involved. It’s a great, great experience. It’s going to be the last home series, so it will be nice to get a couple wins and go out on a good note. That’s pretty important to us.”