Vote Rakhshani For Senior Class Award

(above) Rhett Rakhshani and DU Associate Athletic Director Ron Grahame

Denver's Rhett Rakhshani is one of 10 NCAA® hockey student-athletes tabbed as finalists today for the 2009-10 Lowe's Senior CLASS Award in the hockey division. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence - classroom, character, community and competition.

Fan balloting is available on the award's official Web site, as well as through text messaging. Fans can text HOCKEY to 74567 to vote for the finalists. These votes will be combined with votes from coaches and media to determine the recipient of the award.

Chambers Has Injury & Goaltending Update

Our Johnny on-the-spot Denver Post beat writer has up to the minute info gleaned at DU hockey practice today. There's three DU injury updates and the news is not good. Additionally DU is considering starting Adam Murray in goal on Friday night. Not a surprise but the decision is not official one way or the other yet.

Colorado Pond Hockey Championships

(above) Rocky Mountain Pond Hockey Championships in Avon

From: Denver Post
by Mike Chambers

The U.S. Pond Hockey Championships were completed last weekend, with 160 teams competing on 25 rinks at Lake Nokomis in Minneapolis. At the same time in Colorado, the 19th Rocky Mountain Pond Hockey Championships unfolded on eight rinks at Nottingham Lake in Avon.

Both tournaments celebrated the roots of hockey, and provided insight and encouragement to those who may not know the advantages of playing the game atop natural frozen water at thousands of locations throughout the colder climates of the country (read rest of article).

UND Hockey Player Is America's Newest O.J.

(left) University of North Dakota hockey player Matt Frattin is getting a lot of national publicity today

In America its good to know that the laws that apply to most of us need not apply if you're famous or an athlete. Needless to say Matt Frattin, a North Dakota hockey player would have landed in jail if he played anywhere else. While everyone is entitled to a fair trial, once again the North Dakota hockey program continues to lead college hockey in arrests, fines and court appearances.

From today's Grand Forks Herald.

A jury of six Grand Forks County residents found UND hockey player Matt Frattin not guilty of drunk driving Tuesday.

The trial began in the morning and ended in the afternoon, with jurors returning a verdict after less than 30 minutes of deliberation, prosecutor Jason McCarthy said.

Campus police pulled over Frattin, a junior forward, in the early morning hours of Aug. 19. According to police, Lt. Tracy Meidinger smelled alcohol on Frattin’s breath and a test at the station put his blood-alcohol level at .12 percent. The legal limit is .08 percent.

McCarthy said Frattin passed some of the sobriety tests, but failed others. “This was a closer one,” McCarthy said.

Meidinger testified for the prosecution; the defense did not call any witnesses. Among the evidence the prosecution presented was a video showing Frattin that night.

Frattin was kicked off the team following his arrest, which was his second run-in with police that summer. He rejoined the team and began playing again in January.

In July, campus police arrested Frattin and Joe Finley, a player who graduated in the spring of 2009, for throwing objects into a street. In that case, Frattin pleaded guilty to a charge of disorderly conduct.

Messages left for Frattin’s attorney at his office were not returned Tuesday afternoon and evening.

Empty Student Section To Greet Players On Friday

Supposedly the University of Denver Student Section is going to be empty on Friday night as several hundred students are off to Winter Carnival. Ticket sales are so slow for the Mercyhurst game that DU is offering special $10 tickets to the public.

Its too bad the students won't be out in force this weekend. Needless to say the DU hockey team has seen two of the best students sections in the country in Wisconsin & North Dakota on their recent road trip. To come home to dead arena would be a tragedy.

HEY DU: How about FREE tickets to students on Friday night on a first come first serve basis? Maybe it will help soften the blow of Chancellor Coombe's impending tuition hike.

News & Notes From Around Pioneer Nation

DU Senior forward Brandon Vossberg is one of 18 college hockey players nominated for the 2010 BNY Mellon Wealth Management Hockey Humanitarian Award. Good luck Brandon.

With the USA Olympic hockey team about to head to Vancouver in a couple of weeks, DU Alum Matt Carle is one of several players who might be a last minute replacement due to injuries. Carle has been mentioned as one of the most improved players in the NHL season. He has 24 points and +18 so far this season, while being paired with superstar defenseman Chris Pronger.

The New England Hockey Journal has an article about Joe Colborne's big weekend against North Dakota on his 20th birthday. Colborne was also awarded the "DU Hardhat" given to the hardest working player as judged by his teammates.

DU Goaltender Marc Cheverie was named WCHA Defensive Play of the Week and Joe Colborne nabbed WCHA Offensive Player of the week. Sweeping North Dakota brings a lot of national publicity.

Denver Post sportswriter Mike Chambers doesn't appear to be too entralled with college hockey's Pairwise System that dropped DU to #2 in the national rankings the same weekend that DU swept North Dakota. Did we mention that DU swept North Dakota?

The Denver Post has a nice article on former Colorado College and Air Force hockey coach John Matchefts. He was the 2nd hockey coach at Air Force. Matchefts came to Air Force after those cheap bastards at CC wouldn't give him a two hundred dollar raise.

University of Denver Alum Paul Stastny won't be the only athlete with DU ties at the 2012 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Current DU Sophomore Leif Kristian Haugen was named to Norway’s Olympic team and will compete in the Vancouver Games next month in skiing.

Minnesota hockey coach Don Lucia received a vote of confidence from the Athletic Director, Joel Maturi. Maturi was formerly the AD at DU.

DU's Latest Recruit: Garrett Allen

(above) DU's newest recruit tells us a little about himself

Several sites including No Alibis No Regrets (Wisconsin), Fargo Force Blog & U.S. Hockey Report (subscription site) are reporting that Fargo Force forward Garrett Allen has committed to the University of Denver. Allen a 5'11 170 lbs. forward from Delafield, Wisconsin, is said to have family connections in Colorado.

Allen is described as an up-and-coming forward who's college stock has been on the rise in recent weeks. He will attend DU in Fall of 2011. So far this season he has 15 goals and 13 assists in 38 games for the Force. To be averaging almost a point-a-game in his Rookie season in the USHL is very impressive indeed.

We're guessing that Allen can skate...really...fast. His aunt is five-time Olympic Gold Medalist, speed skater Bonnie Blair. Allen's uncle (Bonnie's husband), David Cruikshank was a USA Olympic speed skating sprinter and is currently a power skating trainer for hockey players from the NHL to elite junior players.

Colorado College, Wisconsin & Minnesota were reportedly in the hunt for Allen.

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)

2012 Recruiting Class
F Tyler Pham (Team Illinios)

$10 Tickets for Mercyhurst Game Via Ticketmaster

The Denver Pioneers hockey team is currently ranked 2nd in the nation and returns to Magness Arena this Friday, February 5 @ 7:30 p.m. vs. Mercyhurst. DU would like to extend a special $10 game ticket offer to you in an effort to say “Thank You” for your support of collegiate hockey. These tickets normally sell for $18/per ticket and quantities are limited.

To purchase this special offer please follow the steps below:

· Click on this link

· Click on “Find Tickets”

· Use the promo code MERCY

· Create an account (this will be a separate account from your MYDU ticket account)

· Order as many $10 tickets as you’d like (up to 25)

· This offer is not good at the Ritchie Center Box Office or over the phone. $10 tickets must be purchased through this website.

Come experience the excitement, camaraderie and tradition of Pioneer Hockey!

Chancellor Coombe To Offer Office Hours

(above) Could this be a reality at DU one day?

Each week the University of Denver school newspaper The Clarion offers nuggets of information that keeps us alums informed about whats happening on campus. An article about Chancellor Coombe meeting one-on-one with students caught our eye this week. Its a step in the right direction to be sure. A reaction to LetsGoDU readers' comments recently that Bobby is out of touch with students or just a coincidence?

Could lower tuition and a coonskin capped mascot be just around the corner?

Chancellor Robert Coombe has implemented one-on-one sessions with students.

The first series was held last Tuesday and all 12 slots offered were filled.

The sessions are held in the chancellor’s office in the Mary Reed Building. The sessions will be monthly events in two-hour time slots. The date and time of the February office hours have not yet been released.

Students may sign up for 10-minute time slots with the chancellor.

The student-dedicated office hours mark the third attempt by Coombe to create a dialogue between the students and DU’s administration, according to an e-mail from Coombe to students. Prior attempts included quarterly chancellor’s round tables and a blog, but “participation was very limited,” Coombe said.

“This is not intended to provide an opportunity to move disputes ‘up the ladder,’ beyond the limits set by [university] policies,” Coombe said in the e-mail. “Rather, I’d like to talk with you about what’s working and what’s not working, about the quality and depth of your experiences at DU, and to hear about how we might improve.”

To make an appointment for the Chancellor’s office hours, contact his office at chancellor@du.edu or 303-871-2111.

Chevy Named INCH.com Player Of The Week

(above) Chevy's goalie mask features a bulked up Boone holding back a rabid dawg

From: Inside College Hockey.com

MARC CHEVERIE
Denver Jr. | G | Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia

In four starts against North Dakota this season, Denver's Marc Cheverie allowed a total of four goals and posted a pair of shutouts.

His Statistics: 55 saves, 2 GA, SHO in two wins at North Dakota.

His Impact: Cheverie led Denver to its second sweep of the season over WCHA rivals North Dakota with a shutout on Friday. In four starts against North Dakota this season, Denvers Marc Cheverie allowed a total of four goals and posted a pair of shutouts. (read rest of article)

Mannino Named AHL Goaltender Of The Month

(above) DU Alum Peter Mannino's goalie mask, designed by David Gunnarsson, features Boone transformed into a Thrasher! Perfect on an Atlanta Thrashers mask

From: AHL.com

The American Hockey League announced today that DU Alum Peter Mannino of the Chicago Wolves has been named the Reebok/AHL Goaltender of the Month for January. Mannino was 6-1-0 with a 1.28 goals-against average, a .958 save percentage and one shutout for the month.

In recognition of his achievement, Mannino will be presented with an etched crystal award prior to an upcoming Wolves home game.

In his second professional season out of the University of Denver, Mannino has a record of 13-3-0 in 18 appearances with for the Wolves in 2009-10, leading the AHL with a 1.76 goals-against average and a .943 save percentage. He was 17-12-2 as a rookie with Bridgeport last season and also appeared in three games with the N.Y. Islanders, earning the win in his first NHL start on Mar. 15, 2009, at Chicago. A native of Farmington Hills, Mich., Mannino signed as a free agent with Atlanta on July 6, 2009.

From Boonetown To Motown Logos

(above) Featuring a '57 Chevy, Boone is ready to conquer Pioneer Nation driving from Denver to the Motor City

(above) Standing in front of an antique car at the Wiscsonsin Automotive Museum, Boone points to his personalized license plate

We're working on two logo possible designs to build excitement for the stretch drive of the season.

DU Has Glorified Bye Week

(left) Mmmm...Cupcakes

Wish we could tell you that this weekend's games against Mercyhurst & Air Force will be a "stern test" for the University of Denver hockey team, but if we did we'd be lying. This weekend has "cupcake" written all over it.

DU should get together with Hostess and give out 5,000 free Cup-Cakes, Ding-Dongs or Twinkees if the Pioneers fail to score five goals on Friday night against Mercyhurst. That would keep things interesting for two periods.

The American Hockey Association, of which Air Force & Mercyhurst are members, are 8-43-5 against non-conference opponents. Mercyhurst is 0-6-0 in non-conference games and Air Force is 0-4-0.

The Air Force game is more of a concern. Cadet Ice Arena will be sold out and they will be all pumped up to beat DU. They defeated Colorado College last year 4-1, DU 5-2 in 2008 and only lost to DU & CC by 2-1 scores in 2006-07. Luckily CC will soften them up on Friday night.

We'll guess that Murray will start on Friday. If he gets a shutout, why not trot him out against Air Force? Keep the Chevy in the garage.

We'll spend this week drumming up support for Boone on campus and keeping an eye on Chancellor Coombe as he attempts to jack-up tuition for the sixth straight year on the job.

DU Hockey Photoshop Calender

(above) Click on image to enlarge

Thanks to DU student Amy Younger we now have a handy February calender. Let's go 8-0-0 in Feb.

President Obama Tells Colleges To Lower Tuition

(above) President Obama told DU's Chancellor Coombe and his buddies to quit raising college tuition in his State of the Union Speech

President Obama's State of the Union Speech...

"And it’s time for colleges and universities to get serious about cutting their own costs – because they too have a responsibility to help solve this problem."

Imagine our surprise when President Obama called out America's college presidents for continually raising tuition in his State of the Union Address on Wednesday night. University of Denver Chancellor Robert Coombe must have choked on his 75 year-old Cognac when Obama started ripping America's educational elite. Coombe has raised tuition every year he's been in charge at DU since 2005.

Unfortunately for our beloved leader, Coombe had just announced another Tuition hike on Tuesday in the Clarion. Naturally Coombe had one of his lackeys do the dirty work since our guy isn't especially adept at facing angry mobs.

Not to worry Bobby, LetsGoDU is here to help. America's favorite college hockey blog doesn't just build coonskin capped mascots and drum up the masses at hockey games. We're experts at raising cash in difficult times and making tough choices.

Here's ten ideas that should raise a couple of million bucks in the next year so you won't have disobey the President of the United States and raise tuition rates at the University of Denver.

1). Fine students $5 for smoking pot - The days of kicking kids out of the dorms and sending letters home to their parents are over. Not only will DU raise tons of money in fines, but more students will want to live in the dorms. A hidden revenue stream will be charging local pizza delivery drivers $2 to park at DU after the stoned students get the "munchies."

2). Bring Back Boone - Hate to sound like a broken record, but bringing back our beloved mascot will raise hundreds of thousands in merchandise sales. Boone Bobbleheads, Boone T-Shirts, Boone hockey jerseys. "Fire Coombe - Bring Back Boone" shirts will sell like hotcakes.

3). Fire Anti-Boone Professors & Eliminate Anti-Boone Departments - These bozos pissed off the alumni and made you look like an idiot. Now its payback time. Look at it on the bright side; In Iran, traitors are hanged. We only want to shitcan DU's traitors who ratted on Boone.

4). Fire Yourself or take a Paycut - Chancellor Ritchie worked for a dollar a year. You make 300 Large. See the problem?

5). Charge $20 a day for Parking - If you're going to build copper walled parking lots, customers should expect to pay a little more. Offer extra services like valet parking so students have an opportunity to make some extra money from tips.

6). Sell "Extra Credit" - Rich students have been getting screwed at DU for years. Not only do they have to pay full tuition, but its damn near impossible to get good grades after partying in Vail every weekend. Take a cue from the airline industry and offer 1st Class & Economy DU educations. Corner dorm rooms, more comfortable classroom chairs, extended hours to meet professors, meal service with China & silverware and free cocktails with dinner in the "Chancellor's Lounge."

7). Put Parking Meters on all Electrical Outlets - We all know how much DU hates wasting electricity. Want to recharge a cellphone, laptop or ipod in a classroom or dorm? That will be 50 cents. Exact change please.

8). Charge DU Hockey Fans For Sitting Down - No one should sit during a DU hockey game. Ever. Charge 5 dollars extra to every fan who sits down during the game. Think of the long term health benefits.

9). Sell Cigarettes On Campus Again - Lets face it. Banning smoking in this economy was a bad idea. No one is hiring and to make matters worse, the high tuition has thrown the students $100,000 into debt in one of the worst recessions in history. Hell, I need a cigarette just thinking about it and I don't smoke.

10). Buy the Border - Coombe missed a golden opportunity last month to buy the Border Bar. What's the only thing DU students spend money on even when times are tough? You guessed it. Booze. Buy the Border and use the profits to build the endowment. If John Evans had opened the Border in 1864 when he founded DU, our endowment would be greater than Harvard's.