DU Recruit Matt Van Voorhis Profiled

Matt Van Voorhis

From: Edina Patch

by Ryan Gauthier

Edina, Minnesota native Matt Van Voorhis [5'7 170 lbs.] was one of four players to sign a Letter of Intent recenty to play hockey at the University of Denver for the 2013-14 season.  With four years of junior hockey under his belt, Van Voorhis will be a twenty year-old Freshman next season.

The defenseman is currently playing his second season of hockey with the Sioux Falls Stampede, where he has already registered three goals and nine assists over the first 25 games this season.  The Stampede are in first place in the USHL Western Conference at the midpoint of the season.

Van Voorhis, 19, was a member of the U.S. National Team Developmental Program from 2009-2011 and helped guide Team USA to two gold medal finishes at the 2011 Under-17 Four Nations Cup and the 2010 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.

2013 Recruiting Class Updated Stats

D Matt Van Voorhis (Sioux Falls, USHL) - 29 gms, 3 goals, 10 assists

F Brad Hawkinson (Lincoln Stars, USHL) - 24 gms, 5 goals, 2 assists

F Landon Smith (Chicago, USHL) - 29 games, 10 goals, 5 assists

F Connor Chatham (Omaha, USHL) - 29 games, 10 goals, 10 assists

F Ray Pigozzi (Chicago, USHL) - 26 games, 5 goals, 13 assists

D Will Butcher (U.S. Under-18) - 22 games, 4 goals, 7 assists

F Cody DePourcq (Penticton, BCHL) - 35 games, 5 goal, 7 assists

F Trevor Moore (Tri-Cities, USHL) 30 games, 13 goals, 17 assists

D Gage Ausmus (U.S. Under-18) 22 games, 4 assists

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2014 Recruiting Class Updated Stats

F Tyler Pham (Indiana Ice, USHL) - 31 games, 3 goals, 10 assists

F Jared Fiegl (U.S. Under-17) 21 games, 4 goals, 6 assists

F Garrett Gamez (Tri-Cities, USHL) 24 games, 5 goals, 4 assists

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2015 Recruiting Class Updated Stats

F Dylan Gambrell (Dubuque, USHL) 24 games, 3 goal, 10 assists

USHL Round-Up Of DU Recruits

Ray Pigozzi

With two weekends of USHL play under their belts, several University of Denver recruits have jumped off to quick statistical starts in league play. The Pioneers have a record number of recruits (14) playing in the USHL this season.

Congrats to former DU assistant coach Derek Lalonde who went 3-0-0 in his first week as a head coach of the Green Bay Gamblers.  Green Bay is one of only two teams that is still undefeated and untied.

The list below highlights recruits who have scored at least one goal or recorded an assist.

• 2013 recruit Ray Pigozzi (Foward  5'11 174 lbs. Evanston, IL) already has four assists in his first three games for the Des Moines Buccaneers.

• 2013 Recruit Will Butcher (Defenseman 5'11 190 lbs. Sun Prarie, WI) has a goal and two assists for the USNDT-Under 17 team. Teammate Connor Chatham (Forward 6'2 195 lbs. St. Louis, MO) has three assists in four games. Finally blueliner Gage Ausmus (6'1 200 lbs. East Grand Forks, MN) has one assist.

• In Sioux Falls, defenseman Matt Van Voorhis (Defenseman 5'7 165 lbs. Edina, MN) has one assist in two games

• Defenseman Dakota Mermis (Defenseman 5'10 165 lbs. Alton, IL) has one goal in three games for Green Bay.

2012 Recruiting Class
F Tyler Pham (Indiana Ice, USHL)
D Dakota Mermis (Green Bay, USHL)
D Matt Van Voorhis (Sioux Falls, USHL)
F Garrett Allen (Unknown)
D Nolan Zajac (Cedar Rapids, USHL)
F Quentin Shore (U.S. Under-18)
F Connor Honey (Green Bay, USHL)
F Grant Arnold (Green Bay, USHL)

2013 Recruiting Class
F Brad Hawkinson (Lincoln Stars, USHL)
F Landon Smith (Cedar Rapids, USHL)
F Connor Chatham (U.S. Under-17)
F Ray Pigozzi (Des Moines, USHL)
D Will Butcher (U.S. Under-17)

2014 Recruiting Class
F Jared Fiegl (Colorado Rampage, U-16)
D Gage Ausmus (U.S. Under-17)
F Trevor Moore (Tri-Cities, USHL)

USHL Draft Features DU & Colorado Flavor

The United States Hockey League [USHL] held its 2011 Prospects Draft on Monday.  2012 University of Denver recruit Tyler Pham was selected with the 3rd overall pick in the 1st Round by the Indiana Ice.  It certainly bodes well for DU that Pham was selected so early.

Later in the 1st, Round Dakota Mermis was selected with the 13th pick by the Green Bay Gamblers.  Mike Chambers of the Denver Post has some additional info about this pick in his Blog.  My only take is that Green Bay is a very well run organization and they must have some sort of info that Mermis may play for them next season.  We shall see.

Defenseman Matt Van Voorhis, who delayed his arrival at DU by one year, was selected by the Sioux Falls Stampede in the 13th Round.  He should contribute heavily for the Stampede.

A record number of Colorado based players were selected this year offering further proof of the growth of ice hockey out west.  Chambers' article lists the local guys selected in the draft many of who played for the Colorado Thunderbirds.

Although University of Denver recruit Garrett Allen has signed a letter of intent with DU to arrive in 2012, he may never play for Denver.  His situation has been described as "fluid."

2011 Recruiting Class
D Scott Mayfield (Youngstown, USHL)
F Zac Larraza (U.S. Under-18)
D Joey LaLeggia (Penticton Vees, BCHL)
F Larkin Jacobson (Janesville Jets, NAHL)
D-F Wade Bennett (Wichita Falls, NAHL)
F Matt Tabrum (Omaha, USHL)
D Josiah Didier (Cedar Rapids, USHL)
F Daniel Doremus (Sioux Falls, USHL)

2012 Recruiting Class
F Tyler Pham (Indiana Ice, USHL)
D Dakota Mermis (U.S. Under-18)
D Matt Van Voorhis (Sioux Falls, USHL)
F Garrett Allen (Chicago, USHL)

2013 Recruiting Class
F Brad Hawkinson (Colorado Thunderbirds-U18)

Donovan Replacement OTW-Chambers Ain't Talking

Mike Chambers Blog has three recruiting notes that will impact the team next season.  The biggest news is that a big name defensive recruit will commit to the University of Denver in the near future.

He also mentioned that the "Doremus to DU in 2011" rumor is not true...for now.

Heisenberg's Recruiting Website is incorrect, Matt Van Voorhis will play in the USHL next season.

Check out Chambers article and if you are the first poster to guess who the mystery recruit is in the "Comments Section" below, we'll ship you a free Boone Poster.

Western College Hockey Looks At Two DU Recruits

(left) DU recruits Josiah Didier & Zac Larraza were identified by Western College Hockey Blog as possible mid-round NHL Draft selections

Western College Hockey Blog recapped a recent USHL game between Cedar Rapids and the USNDP Under-18 Team. DU had a couple of recruits playing that night including Zac Larraza, Matt Van Voorhis and Josiah Didier.

WCH mentioned the play of Larraza & Didier in regards to the 2011 NHL Draft.

"Zac Larraza and Adam Reid have always been two pretty similar players. Both are big guys that looked absolutely lost when they first joined the NTDP last year, but their coordination has started to catch up, and while they're still projects, big guys with decent skill will always get a long look. Larraza is particular has come a long way forward and would make a decent mid-round pick."

"I was a little surprised defenseman Josiah Didier didn't get any sort of mention from NHL Central Scouting. Perhaps it's because he's a rookie in the league. In any case, he's about 6'2" 200 lbs., played a lot of solid minutes, and was on CR's top powerplay unit the entire weekend. He certainly looked like a solid mid-round draft pick."

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)

2013 Recruiting Class
F Brad Hawkinson (Colorado Thunderbirds-U18)

DU's 2011 Recruiting Update

DU's newest recruit Joey Laleggia had a huge weekend in the BCHL. He had 3 assists on Friday and 2 goals on Saturday for the Penticton Vees and now leads the team in scoring as a defenseman. He has scored 12 points in his last 4 games, has scored four of the team's last 5 goals, and leads all D-men in points in the BCHL.

Daniel Doremus has gotten off to a slow start with the Sioux Falls Stampede in the USHL. Playing in just two of the teams first three games he is -3 with 0g, 0a and just one shot on goal. A couple of years ago Chris Knowlton played for a terrible team in the USHL. His stats weren't that great but was a solid contributor in college from Day 1.

The season is also just starting for the USNDT Under 18 team in the USHL. Zac Larraza has one goal and Matt Van Voorhis has an assist in the team's first two games.

Garrett Allen has an assist for the Fargo Force in the USHL. The team is just four games into their season.

Scott Mayfield, whom many are projecting to be an NHL first round draft choice next summer, has one goal after four games with the Youngstown Phantoms in the USHL. He leads the team by a wide margin in penalty minutes (14) and shots (12).

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)
D Joey LaLeggia (Penticton Vees, BCHL)

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 (Sioux Falls, USHL)

It's Finally.....GAME DAY

(above) DU Hockey is back

The University of Denver hockey team takes the ice against the U.S. National Development Under-18 Team tonight. Its only an exhibition game, but there are interesting subplots that DU hockey fans can keep an eye on.

1). Goaltending - Will the coaches rotate Adam Murray and Sam Brittain for half a game or will each goaltender play one entire game this weekend? Either way, these two DU players will be under the microscope this weekend.

2). Freshman - Three early NHL Draft picks will take the ice and Nick Shore is sure to be selected by an NHL team next season. Throw in David Makowski, who was the best defenseman in the USHL last season and three other Freshmen and you have a stellar recruiting class. DU's best recruiting class ever? We shall see.

3). Power Play - In recent seasons Coach Gwozdecky has gone with four forwards on the first power play unit. With Freshman Beau Bennett emerging as a power play specialist in the BCHL last season, DU may be temped to try it again.

4). Lineup - In recent seasons, the exhibition game lineup was a fairly accurate representation of how DU started the season. Its always interesting to see how the Freshman players are sprinkled through the lines. Will they play together like Rakhshani, Ruegsegger and Trotter did in 2006 or interspersed with experienced veteran players?

5). Development - As players get older and bigger, they assume more leadership and playing time responsibilities. What DU player has improved the most in the offseason? Candidates include Adam Murray, Paul Phillips, Drew Shore, Nate Dewhurst, Chris Knowlton and William Wrenn. Its no coincidence that all of these players were 18 years old when they enrolled at DU. Generally the younger you enter college, the bigger upside potential you have.

6). Forwards - DU legends Rhett Rakhshani, Tyler Ruegsegger and Joe Colborne have moved on. With vacancies come opportunities. Who will seize the day and see the biggest improvement in points? Drew Shore is going to see more ice time, more power play opportunities and have slicker wingers this season. Senior Anthony Maiani may have shot to become an elite college player this season and burst on the scene nationally.

7). Defense - DU has seven defensmen who could start for virtually any other college program. Matt Donovan may only be a Sophomore, but the New York Islanders are hot on his heels. Look for him to turn pro after the season.

8). Special Teams - We talked about the power play, but juggling the lineup and creating mismatches is an art form. Coach Gwozdecky is one of the best in-game coaches in college hockey. With the TV timeouts and the imbalance in recruiting among various programs, mismatches on the ice win or lose more games than most realize.

9). DU Recruits - Its pretty rare that college hockey fans get to see two future players play for an opponent. Tonight forward Zac Larraza and defenseman Matt Van Voorhis will suit up for the USNDT. It should be a fun opportunity to see how these future Pioneers handle themselves on the ice.

10). Future NHLers - Of all the teams that DU plays this season, in all likelihood, no opponent will feature as many future NHL players as the USNDT. Sure they may be five years away from playing in the NHL, but fans will be given an opportunity to see some of the best young talent in the United States. Enjoy.

News & Notes From Around PioNation

(above) The DU Ski Team at the White House yesterday

An interesting article about Oklahoma youth ice hockey that mentions DU star defenseman Matt Donovan prominently. DU will have players on the roster this season from nontraditional ice hockey areas such as California, Nevada, Oklahoma, Iowa and Nebraska. Ice hockey's growth in the western United States has been due in no small part to an incredible network of volunteers and parents.

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Two University of Denver recruits have been named to the USNDT-Under 18 team for the upcoming season. Zac Larraza (6'2 192 lbs) forward from Scotsdale, Arizona and Matt Van Voorhis (5'7 162 lbs) defenseman from Edina, Minnesota. Once again the USNDT will play USHL games and various international tournaments around the world.

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The University of Denver ski team visited President Obama at the White House yesterday. The President welcomed to the White House more than 650 student athletes and 150 coaches and staff members, from 32 schools across the nation. Gathering on the South Lawn, he offered his congratulations on their 2009-10 Division I NCAA Championships.

Matt Van Voorhis Commits To DU

(above) Matt Van Voorhis from Edina, Minnesota will attend DU

The USHL Website is reporting that defenseman Matt Van Voorhis of Team USA has verbally committed to attend the University of Denver. No year is mentioned, but we'd expect it to be in 2011 or 2012.

The 17-year-old blueliner from Edina, Minnesota has two points (1g, 1a) in 20 USHL games this season while playing for Team USA's Under-17 squad. He has been described by the US Hockey Report as an "excellent skater and puck handler with great mobility."

In 2008-09 Van Voorhis played for the Edina High School team as a Sophomore and recorded two goals and 9 assists. Edina won the Minnesota Class AA Consolation Championship last season.

He is teammates with DU recruit Zac Larraza, a forward on the USNDT-Under 17.

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)

2012 Recruiting Class
F Tyler Pham (Team Illinios)