Former DU Recruit Commits To North Dakota

From: Dickinson Press

by Brad Schlossman

The University of North Dakota lined up a defensive corps for next season that was made up almost entirely of puck-moving, offensive defensemen.

But when Denver coach George Gwozdecky was fired last month, it started a sequence of events that would ultimately give UND a key piece that was missing in the puzzle for the 2013-14 squad.

East Grand Forks native Gage Ausmus, a stay-at-home shutdown defenseman, gave a verbal commitment Thursday to play for UND beginning in the fall.

Ausmus, who played for the U.S. Under-18 team this season and won a silver medal at the World Under-18 Championship, will add some grit and physicality to UND’s defensive corps — elements that will be welcome.

“They are losing (Andrew) MacWilliam and (Derek) Forbort, two physical, strong guys,” said Ausmus, who is expected to be a late-round NHL draft pick in June. “They (the coaching staff) thought I’d fit into that role really well.”

Ausmus originally committed to the University of Denver two summers ago, but those plans changed when Gwozdecky was suddenly fired on April 1.

“When Gwozdecky left, I didn’t think it was the best option for me anymore,” Ausmus said.

After Denver hired Jim Montgomery as Gwozdecky’s replacement, Ausmus re-considered going to Denver. He also considered Minnesota Duluth — where his father played football — but ultimately decided to stay home.

2013 Recruiting Class Updated Stats
D Matt Van Voorhis (Sioux Falls, USHL) - 38 gms, 3 goals, 15 assists
F Brad Hawkinson (Lincoln Stars, USHL) - 40 gms, 8 goals, 4 assists
F Landon Smith (Chicago, USHL) - 36 games, 11 goals, 6 assists
F Connor Chatham (Omaha, USHL) - 47 games, 14 goals, 14 assists
F Ray Pigozzi (Chicago, USHL) - 41 games, 6 goals, 19 assists
D Will Butcher (U.S. Under-18) - 45 games, 7 goals, 13 assists
F Trevor Moore (Tri-City, USHL) 44 games, 17 goals, 30 assists
D Nick Neville (Texas, NAHL) 45 games, 5 goals, 18 assists

2014 Recruiting Class Updated Stats
F Tyler Pham (Indiana Ice, USHL) - 46 games, 4 goals, 13 assists
F Jared Fiegl (U.S. Under-17) 44 games, 4 goals, 9 assists
F Garrett Gamez (Tri-Cities, USHL) 30 games, 6 goals, 5 assists
F Cody DePourcq (Penticton, BCHL) - 49 games, 11 goal, 8 assists

2015 Recruiting Class Updated Stats 
F Dylan Gambrell (Dubuque, USHL) 45 games, 5 goal, 19 assists

2016 Recruiting Class Updated Stats
F Troy Terry (Thunderbirds, AAA) 41 games, 14 goals, 35 assists

Two DU Recruits Listed In Final Draft Rankings

Two University of Denver recruits were listed among the Top 200 North American skaters Wednesday with the release of Central Scouting's Final Rankings.

Defenseman Will Butcher was listed at #87 after being ranked at #170 in the Mid-term Rankings.  That will likely project Butcher to be a 4th to 7th round selection at the NHL Draft this summer.

Incoming DU forward Trevor Moore was listed at #192.

Current DU forward Quinten Shore was listed but not assigned a ranking.

Former DU defenseman Dakota Mermis came in at #95.  Defenseman Gage Ausmus who reportedly decommitted from DU after Coach Gwozdecky was fired was listed at #148.

2013 Recruiting Class Updated Stats
D Matt Van Voorhis (Sioux Falls, USHL) - 53 gms, 6 goals, 19 assists
F Brad Hawkinson (Lincoln Stars, USHL) - 57 gms, 12 goals, 6 assists
F Landon Smith (Chicago, USHL) - 36 games, 11 goals, 6 assists
F Connor Chatham (Omaha, USHL) - 63 games, 18 goals, 17 assists
F Ray Pigozzi (Chicago, USHL) - 53 games, 8 goals, 26 assists
D Will Butcher (U.S. Under-18) - 61 games, 10 goals, 22 assists
F Trevor Moore (Tri-City, USHL) 62 games, 20 goals, 43 assists
D Nick Neville (Texas, NAHL) 60 games, 7 goals, 28 assists

2014 Recruiting Class Updated Stats
F Tyler Pham (Indiana Ice, USHL) - 61 games, 8 goals, 16 assists
F Jared Fiegl (U.S. Under-17) 56 games, 8 goals, 9 assists
F Garrett Gamez (Tri-Cities, USHL) 46 games, 8 goals, 10 assists
F Cody DePourcq (Penticton, BCHL) - 54 games, 13 goal, 8 assists

2015 Recruiting Class Updated Stats 
F Dylan Gambrell (Dubuque, USHL) 58 games, 9 goal, 18 assists

2016 Recruiting Class Updated Stats
F Troy Terry (Thunderbirds, AAA) 41 games, 14 goals, 35 assists

News & Notes From Around PioNation

(above) Terry Frei is not impressed with DU's handling of the Coach Gwodecky firing

According to a Twitter from Andrew Weiss of Future Considerations, "In wake of Coach Gwozdecky’s departure, NTDP U18’s Gage Ausmus has decommitted from the University of Denver."

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College Hockey News reprinted an article that first appeared in LetsGoDU asking questions about the firing of University of Denver hockey coach George Gwozdecky.  The role of the Board of Trustees in this firing is critical on many levels.  Certainly far more important than the excuses trumpeted by the Athletic Department about the firing.

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Terry Frei of the Denver Post penned a commentary on the firing of George Gwoxdecky calling DU "arrogant" for not answering questions about the firing.

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The DU women's lacrosse team defeated longtime nemesis #10 Stanford 14-10 and UC Davis 13-11 this past weekend.  This may be shaping up as a special season for the Pioneers who are 13-1-0 so far this season.

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The University of Denver club rugby team won the Pacific West Championships this past weekend after defeating Cal Maritime Academy 21-17 & Occidental College 31-27.  DU Rugby will now advance to the Final Four.

News & Notes From Around PioNation

(above) Drew Shore #50 made his NHL debut last night in the Montreal Forum

DU's mens basketball team will play tonight at New Mexico State on ESPN-U at 9 PM.  It should be fun to see the team on national TV.

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DU alum Drew Shore made his NHL debut for the Florida Panthers last night in a 4-1 loss against Montreal.  His parents David & Sarah, who are also DU alums, flew up to Montreal to watch the game.  Drew was called up after Florida had a rash of injuries.

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The USNDP Under-18 team upset Michigan State 3-1 on Tuesday night in an exhibition game.  DU recruits Will Butcher scored a goal and Gage Ausmus had an assist.  Great to see DU recruits playing well against college level competition.  Bodes well for next season.

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DU alum Tyler Bozak was incredible for the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday night.  He went 22-26 on faceoffs and played alongside Gopher alum Phil Kessell on Toronto's top line.  Despite some late heroics the Maple Leafs lost 2-1.

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DU alum Patrick Wiercioch is off to a fast start for the Ottawa Senators in his first season in the NHL.  He has two assists in his first two games this season.  He played 8 games for the Senators last season.

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The University of Denver’s new library will be named for alumnus Ed Anderson following a major donation from the Boston-area venture capitalist and his wife, Linda Cabot. The library will be named Anderson Academic Commons and slated to open March 25. The building has been rising on the site of the former Penrose Library.

NHL's Central Scouting Mid-Term Draft Rankings

(above) The 2013 NHL Draft will held in New Jersey

The NHL's Central Scouting released their 2013 Mid-Term Rankings of draft prospects and several players with DU ties made the list. Of course making the list and even being ranked fairly highly is no guarantee of getting drafted next summer.  Last year former DU player Dakota Mermis was ranked #77 and DU forward Quentin Shore was #107 and neither player was selected six months later.

Players can use the second half of the season to propel themselves up the list as Paul Stastny did in 2005.

DU recruit Trevor Moore [5'10 175 lbs.] is ranked #108. With 15 goals and 23 assists in just 35 games, he is having a sensational season with the Tri-City Storm in the USHL.  Look for Moore to move up in the final rankings, but obviously his size may be a factor against going in the first few rounds.

Next on the list with DU ties is defenseman Will Butcher [5' 10 191 lbs.] at #170.  At one point, Butcher was listed on several NHL Mock Drafts as a late first round selection last year.  Even though he's having a very nice season with the USNDP Under 18 team [34 games, 6 goals, 13 assists].

Finally at #186 is Quentin Shore.  Shore has been on fire in the first five games of 2013 and should move up the list.  If he can keep it up for the remainder of the season, he may be drafted.

Some will be surprised that DU recruit Gage Ausmus [6'1 210 lbs.] was not listed.  His size is within NHL specs but a lack of goals this season, probably hurt his ranking.

DU Recruit Gage Ausmus Sees His Stock Soar

(above) DU Recruit Gage Ausmus is going to be an imposing force on DU's blueline next season

From: USA Hockey
by Becky Olsen

U.S. National Under-18 Team defenseman Gage Ausmus can hardly recognize the player he was one year ago.

With one year of National Team Development Program experience, the East Grand Forks, Minn., native said he feels more confident and that the details of his game — such as stick handling and positioning — have greatly improved.

“Over the summer, I watched NHL on the Fly, and watched the pros to see what they did right and what they did wrong,” he said. “I got in the weight room, worked on stick handling and shot pucks.”

He specifically spent time watching Brooks Orpik, a 2010 U.S. Olympian and Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman who Ausmus tries to model his game after.

“He plays a solid game back at the blue line and doesn’t let anyone get anything easy off,” Ausmus said. “He plays a tough game, and I like that.”

Ausmus added some muscle this off-season in an attempt to toughen up. He came into the U.S. National Under-17 Team last year weighing just 196 pounds. He came back this year at 6-1 and 211 pounds.

“It’s definitely easier to box guys out and play with a more physical presence,” Ausmus said. “It’s easier all around being a bigger guy on the ice.

“I think in the penalty kill area [it has helped too]. The positioning and stick positioning — it makes the game a lot easier to block shots and get the puck out of the zone. Plus it gives me more confidence in my game.”

Ausmus also had another highlight this fall — playing for Rob McClanahan, who won a gold medal for coach Herb Brooks at the 1980 Olympic Winter Games, at the 2012 CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game in Buffalo.

“It was a great experience for me,” Ausmus said.

“We played in the very nice rink in Buffalo and it was fun time being there. People thought we might take it easy playing against our own players, but that’s not what happened. It was fun and very competitive; I had a great time."

“It was fun playing for Coach McClanahan and talking to him. He said to stick with it — there will be hard times but keep on moving.”

Moving forward is something Ausmus continues to do. Winning the Four Nations Tournament, which was held in early November at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube, was an experience he will never forget.

“Last year, our first international tournament was in Russia and everyone was booing us,” he recalled. “Now we got to play here and everyone was rooting for us. It was a great feeling knowing the fans are on your side and every time you score, the fans are cheering.

“The best thing I remember is standing on the blue line and hearing your national anthem in front of your fans. It’s a great feeling.”

That’s a feeling he gets in and every time he puts on the USA jersey.

“The first time I put it on last year, it was the greatest feeling in the world,” he said. “Every time I put it on, it is the same feeling over and over again. It never gets old.”

A new feeling will arrive next year when Ausmus puts on his college jersey for the University of Denver.

“The education was a big thing for me,” he said of DU. “I really liked their campus. When I first saw it, I thought it was amazing. They have a great hockey program; it’s second to none. All those things combined — it made my choice easy in the end.”

For now, Ausmus is focused on one thing: continuing to become a complete player.

“My goal for myself is to keep building confidence and to keep playing steady,” he said. “Obviously, for the team, we want win the majority of the USHL games and try to get some college wins. At the end of the year, win that big event [the world championship].”

And nothing would be sweeter for Ausmus than the icing on the cake.

2013 Recruiting Class Updated Stats
D Matt Van Voorhis (Sioux Falls, USHL) - 19 games, 3 goal, 8 assists
F Brad Hawkinson (Lincoln Stars, USHL) - 17 games, 5 goals, 2 assist
F Landon Smith (Chicago, USHL) - 18 games, 6 goals, 3 assists
F Connor Chatham (Omaha, USHL) - 20 games, 8 goals, 6 assists
F Ray Pigozzi (Chicago, USHL) - 15 games, 3 goals, 10 assists
D Will Butcher (U.S. Under-18) - 22 games, 3 goals, 10 assists
F Cody DePourcq (Penticton, BCHL) - 26 games, 1 goal, 7 assists
F Trevor Moore (Tri-Cities, USHL) 20 games, 11 goals, 10 assists
D Gage Ausmus (U.S. Under-18) 21 games, 4 assists

2014 Recruiting Class Updated Stats
F Tyler Pham (Indiana Ice, USHL) - 20 games, 8 assists
F Jared Fiegl (U.S. Under-17) 18 games, 3 goals, 6 assists
F Garrett Gamez (Tri-Cities, USHL) 17 games, 4 goals, 3 assists

2015 Recruiting Class Updated Stats
F Dylan Gambrell (Dubuque, USHL) 17 games, 3 goal, 7 assists

DU Tunes Up Future Recruiting Classes

Tyler Pham

LetsGoDU was alerted this week that Tyler Pham [5'9 178 lbs Ft Collins, CO] would attend DU in 2014, instead of 2013 to further his development in the USHL.  After getting off to a slow start statistically this season for the Indiana Ice, Pham has five assists in the last six games.  He was the third overall selection in the first round of the 2011 USHL Draft.

Gage Ausmus, who we had listed as a 2014 recruit, but whom always seemed destined to arrive in 2013 is now listed as a 2013 recruit.

Dylan Gambrell is now listed as a 2015 recruit.

2013 Recruiting Class Updated Stats
D Matt Van Voorhis (Sioux Falls, USHL) - 16 games, 2 goal, 7 assists
F Brad Hawkinson (Lincoln Stars, USHL) - 14 games, 3 goals, 1 assist
F Landon Smith (Cedar Rapids, USHL) - 15 games, 5 goals, 2 assists
F Connor Chatham (Omaha, USHL) - 17 games, 7 goals, 4 assists
F Ray Pigozzi (Chicago, USHL) - 12 games, 1 goal, 8 assists
D Will Butcher (U.S. Under-18) - 21 games, 3 goals, 10 assists
F Cody DePourcq (Penticton, BCHL) - 23 games, 1 goal, 5 assists
F Trevor Moore (Tri-Cities, USHL) 17 games, 8 goals, 10 assists
D Gage Ausmus (U.S. Under-18) 20 games, 2 assists

2014 Recruiting Class Updated Stats
F Tyler Pham (Indiana Ice, USHL) - 17 games, 7 assists
F Jared Fiegl (U.S. Under-17) 16 games, 4 goals, 5 assists
F Garrett Gamez (Tri-Cities, USHL) 17 games, 4 goals, 3 assists

2015 Recruiting Class Updated Stats
F Dylan Gambrell (Dubuque, USHL) 15 games, 1 goal, 4 assist

News & Notes From Around PioNation

(above) Magness Arena is being transformed for the Presidential Debate on Oct. 3rd

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The Presidenital Debate hosted by the University of Denver on Oct. 3rd is expected to be worth $20-30 million in branding & publicity benefits for the university. Down the road, DU should expect to see a 15% uptick in admissions applications next year based on previous debates.  Well worth the $1.6 million donation required to host the event.

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DU has been picked to finish third in the annual 94X WCHA Preseason Media Poll, released Wednesday. The Minnesota Golden Gophers are a nearly-unanimous pick of WCHA media to win the league. 

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The initial LetsGoDU Super Poll™ has been released and for the 7th straight year, DU is the consensus preseason #1 pick.  Once again Colorado College came in last out of 58 teams.

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The 8-1-2 University of Denver women's soccer team is ranked #18 in the nation.  The men's soccer team which has won five games in a row is ranked #40.

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Four current and future University of Denver hockey players will be among 40 of the finest 2013 NHL Draft-eligible, American-born players sharing the spotlight when the inaugural CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game is held Saturday at First Niagara Center in Buffalo. Gage Ausmus, Dakota Mermis, Quintin Shore and Will Butcher will represent DU at the event.

4 DU Players Selected For Hockey Showcase

The first ever All-American Prospects Game was announced on Wednesday. USA Hockey will stage the event on September 29th at First Niagara Center in Buffalo [home of the NHL Buffalo Sabres]. The All-American Prospects Game will include 40 of the top American-born prospects eligible for the 2013 National Hockey League Entry Draft.

Four University of Denver players or recruits were selected; Will Butcher, Dakota Mermis, Gage Ausmus and Quintin Shore.  Mermis and Shore are incoming Freshmen at DU.

Western College Hockey Blog has an interesting take on the event and questioned the selection criteria.

News & Notes From Around PioNation

DU recruit Cody DePourcq scored his third goal in the last two games as the BCHL Penticton Vees won their 32nd game in a row.

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Congrats to DU recruits Connor Chatham, Will Butcher & Gage Ausmus who helped the USA Under-17 Team win the 2012 Vlad Dzurilla Under-18 Tournament in Slovakia over the weekend. With the victory, Team USA finished the tournament with a perfect 3-0-0 record and clinched the tournament title for the third straight year. 

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Over the weekend, the DU men's basketball team rolled to a 38-14 halftime lead against Florida International.  The Pioneers won 77-63 in a cakewalk.

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Beau Bennett, Daniel Olszewski, Shawn Ostrow & Paul Phillips were named WCHA Scholar Athletes for 2011-12. Congrats to those players who are getting it done in the classroom as well as on the ice.  Clearly the Ostrow brothers are smarter than the Shore boyz, as Kyle was a three-time WCHA Scholar Athlete as well.

Three DU Recruits Selected For Under 17-Worlds

(above) Click to enlarge

Three University of Denver recruits were selected to play for Team USA in the 2012 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge from Dec. 28, 2011-Jan. 4, 2012, in Windsor, Ontario.

Connor Chatham, Gage Ausmus and Will Butcher have committed to attend the University of Denver.

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 (Des Moines, USHL)
D Nolan Zajac (Omaha, USHL)
F Quentin Shore (U.S. Under-18)
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 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)

DU Invades Sioux Country To Recruit Gage Ausmus

Gage Ausmus

East Grand Forks may be in Minnesota, but its only a short drive across the Red River to the campus of the University of North Dakota.  So it was a pleasant surprise to read in the Grand Forks Herald that the University of Denver had received a 2013 commitment from recruit Gage Ausmus [6'1 200 lbs.].

Ausmus will spend the next two seasons playing for the U.S. National Development Program in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  Just last week DU received another commitment from Connor Chatham who will be a teammate of Ausmus for the next two seasons in Ann Arbor.

Ausmus is described as a shutdown defenseman who can handle the puck, makes outlet passes and gets the puck out of the zone

So how did the Pioneers land this elite defensive prospect?  One clue may be former University of Denver captain Judd Stauss [1998-01] who is from East Grand Forks, MN and volunteered his time with Ausmus' bantam team in recent seasons.

According to the Herald, Ausmus selected DU for several reasons. “I’m very excited. I love the town [Denver] and I’ve always kind of wanted to get away from East Grand Forks and try something new, and that’s what I’m doing.”

Ausmus selected DU after visiting UND, Minnesota-Duluth and Minnesota.

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)
G Juho Olkinuora (Sioux Falls, USHL)
F Ty Loney (Youngstown, 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 (Unknown)
D Nolan Zajac (Cedar Rapids, USHL)

2013 Recruiting Class
F Brad Hawkinson (Lincoln Stars, USHL)
F Landon Smith (Cedar Rapids, USHL)
F Connor Chatham (U.S. Under-17)
D Gage Ausmus (U.S. Under-17)

2014 Recruiting Class
F Jared Fiegl (Colorado Rampage, U-16)