Pios Brace for Aerial Attack

When looking at the 2015-2016 hockey schedule, you may have glossed over DU hockey's first regular season opponent, Air Force. This is the absolute worst time of the year to play Air Force. DU, with limited practice time, will be going up against an extremely well conditioned team with a high IQ and big-time work ethic. Early in the season, before DU jells, is the perfect time for Air Force to surprise DU in either tiny Clune Arena or come down I-25 and shock the Pioneers. You can bet that Coach Montgomery has laid this same case out to his team.

The Air Force freshman have already been immersed in the cadet culture by now. Every new cadet begins with Basic Cadet Training (BCT), more familiarly called “beast.” This 37-day training program run by upper class cadets is said to be very physically, emotionally and mentally challenging for all, regardless of background.

A typical weekday for cadets is extremely busy - 6:00 a.m. wake-up, breakfast, classes, lunch, military training time, more classes, intercollegiate or intramural sports, dinner and academic call to quarters until lights out at 10:45. Cadets awake the next morning to begin the cycle again.

After the academic year is over, cadets participate in summer programs which are divided into three-week periods. They complete programs like Expeditionary Survival and Evasion Training (ESET), jump, soaring, cultural immersions and Operation Air Force (OpsAF). So, essentially this team is bonded by many common experiences already.

Air Force is coached by Frank Sarratore, a former DU coach. They were 21-14-4 last year. All of their players played junior hockey so these players are committed to playing the game at a high level. 

However it turns out for the Cadets, you can bet it will not be an easy go for the Pioneers.

A Day in the life of a Cadet

4 comments:

Twister said...

Completely agree. Playing AFA is no joke. Those kids play their asses off and never take a shift off. Lots of respect for that program. This will be a good early season challenge for DU.

Unknown said...


No nights off with our schedule. There will be lots of series splits, but I don't want us having to go uphill early on.

Nincompoop said...

The non conference games really do effect the end of year ratings...and look, DU has 4 non NCHC games in a row. The Spartan weekend will be huge. If Denver lays down for one of these games, they'll regret it in March big time.

Nincompoop said...

The non conference games really do effect the end of year ratings...and look, DU has 4 non NCHC games in a row. The Spartan weekend will be huge. If Denver lays down for one of these games, they'll regret it in March big time.