Denver Post: Chambers Covers O'Leary Passing

(above) Pioneer hockey player Ted O'Leary passed away on Sunday

From: Denver Post

by Mike Chambers

Edward "Ted" O'Leary, a scholar-athlete who played on the University of Denver's 2004 and 2005 NCAA championship teams, died Sunday in Denver. He was 29.

O'Leary's family said the cause of death is unknown [read entire article].

 

Former Pioneer Ted O'Leary Passes Away

(above) Ted O'Leary played in two NCAA National Championship games for the Pioneers

According to the Denver Post, former University of Denver hockey player Ted O'Leary passed away on Sunday.  Ted won two National Championships at DU and was an Assistant Captain his Senior Season. 

It has been mentioned that the cause of death was a domestic accident.

Edward Thomas O’Leary

Edward Thomas O’Leary (“Teddy”), born September 1, 1982, beloved son of Michael and Kathleen O’Leary of Mead CO passed on Sunday, July 1st, 2012. He was the youngest brother to Michael Dennis, Sean Peter, James Patrick and Suzanne (Donohoe). Teddy was a revered uncle to nieces Kalenn Nonie, Mary Kathleen, Marion Breen (“Mae”), Anne Elizabeth and nephews Jordan William, Sean Patrick, Joseph Kiernan, Charles Michael, John Francis, Kellen James and Emmet Michael. He was also much beloved by his sisters-in-law, Mary Virginia O’Leary, Krista O’Leary, Shannon O’Leary and his brother-in-law, Matthew Donohoe and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Teddy was the valedictorian of Battle Mountain High School in Vail and was thrilled to have the opportunity to attend college and play ice hockey at his “hometown” University of Denver. Teddy was a proud member of the University of Denver NCAA Division I Men’s Hockey team which won back-to-back National Championships in 2004 and 2005. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Biology with a minor in Chemistry, graduating magna cum laude. He also earned a Masters of Business Administration from the Daniels School of Business at DU. Teddy was recognized as the Top Scholar Athlete of the hockey team for three consecutive years and was named by the Western Collegiate Hockey Association as Student Athlete of the Year in 2005-2006.

Following his studies at DU, Teddy assisted in a medical research project at the Steadman Hawkins Clinic and later studied medicine. Teddy ultimately pursued a career in business management.

A memorial service will be held at Howe Mortuary, 439 Coffman Street, Longmont, CO from 4-7pm on Thursday, July 5th and a Funeral Mass will be held at 11am on Friday, July 6th at Guardian Angels Catholic Church, 15179 County Road 7 in Mead, CO. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project (supportwpp.org) or Catholic Charities of Denver (CCdenver.org) in Edward’s name.

Former Asst. Captain O'Leary Begins New Chapter

From: DU Alumni Magazine

Name: Ted O'Leary
Class: DU '06
Major: Biology
Minor: Chemistry
Hometown: Denver, Colorado
Campus Activities: DU Hockey

Why did you choose DU?
In my decision about which college to attend, it came down to DU or CC. I’m so glad I chose DU because, when I look back on my experience, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. DU has a tremendous tradition in hockey – in fact we have great tradition across all our athletics programs. When this is paired with a strong academic program, the University of Denver was a natural choice.

What is your favorite DU memory?
Playing on the DU hockey team has been amazing. Winning two consecutive Division I national championships in hockey was a hard road for all of us – as a team and as individuals. Even now, I get a chill down my spine thinking of it. I didn’t recognize how much these championships mattered to so many people in and around the University. Our entire city and campus community has been supportive and involved – not to mention the renewed school spirit evident among students and alumni.

What are your plans after graduation?
As much as hockey continues to be an integral part of my DU experience, there’s so much more to the University. I currently am pursuing both an undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences and an MBA from the Daniels College of Business. This combination of science, leadership skills and business ethics will give me an advantage when I apply to medical school next year. My goal is to practice orthopedic surgery in Colorado, bridging my love of medicine and athletics with my commitment to make a difference.

If you had the opportunity to talk to DU alumni, what would you say to them?
I would tell them thank you. If it weren’t for the gifts that alumni make to the University, I wouldn’t be a student here. I’ve jokingly said that DU won’t have to track me down after graduation to make a gift – my scholarship funded by alumni gifts made it possible for me to be here, and I want to give that same opportunity to students in the future.

Local player jumps from high school to DU

By Mike Chambers Denver Post Staff Writer
Article from the Denver Post

Lakewood native Tyler Ruegsegger has joined Littleton's J.D. Corbin and Englewood's Geoff Paukovich as homegrown University of Denver players and NHL draft picks.

Ruegsegger is a pioneer of sorts, because unlike virtually every DU recruit signed in the past 20 years, the blue-chip forward is coming to college straight out of high school and with no junior-A or U.S. Development Program experience.

Ruegsegger, 18, signed with DU last fall at the beginning of his senior season at Shattuck-St. Mary's in Faribault, Minn., and agreed to delay the start of his freshman season until 2007, after playing a season in junior-A. But then he erupted on the ice, leading the prestigious high school team with 38 goals and 89 points in 60 games.

DU coach George Gwozdecky has since asked Ruegsegger to join his program immediately, and the Toronto Maple Leafs devoted a sixth-round draft pick to him in last month's NHL draft.
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"Tyler played for arguably the top prep school in the country, and he plays to win," DU recruiting coordinator Steve Miller said. "The more and more we evaluated him as the season went on, it made sense to us to bring him to school.

"He has so much heart and character. He'll go out and do whatever it takes to win, so I don't see him getting frustrated at all, making that jump. He's too mentally tough."

Ruegsegger, a product of the Arvada and Littleton youth hockey organizations, said: "I'm really excited to go straight from high school to college. The coaching staff has watched me play over the past year and they think I'm ready. I think I'm ready, too. It's a big jump, but I'm just going to go in there and let 'er rip."

Ruegsegger will join DU a year early along with defenseman Keith Seabrook, who was selected in the second round by the Washington Capitals last month. Seabrook, the younger brother of Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook, replaces Matt Carle, DU's first Hobey Baker Award winner who in March gave up his senior season to sign with the San Jose Sharks.

Ruegsegger and Seabrook helped give DU a school-record 12 NHL draft picks on its roster this season. The previous record is eight (2003-04).

Ruegsegger, one of a record five Denver freshmen to be drafted last month, said his second favorite NHL team, behind the Avalanche, is Toronto, because the Leafs are his father's favorite team.

"It was a special moment," he said about being drafted by Toronto. "I feel like I've really been blessed."

Footnotes

DU's incoming freshman class is expected to grow to eight next week with the group's only recruited walk-on, whom Miller declined to reveal. Currently, the only freshman player not drafted by an NHL team is rugged 6-4 defenseman Cody Brookwell of Calgary. ... The 2007 incoming freshman class, after losing Ruegsegger and Seabrook, features goalie Marc Cheverie and forwards Jesse Martin and Kyle Ostrow. ... In addition to losing Carle and graduated forwards Gabe Gauthier and Ted O'Leary, forwards Brock McMorris of Cherry Hills and Jon James have decided to not return for their senior seasons.

Pioneers Clean Up on Post Season Awards

Matt Carle becomes the first player to win WCHA Player of the Year & WCHA Defensive Player of the Year in the same season.

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The Pioneers also landed 12 student-athletes on the All-WCHA Academic Team. Matt Carle, Ted O'Leary, Paul Stastny, Zach Blom, Steven Cook, J.D. Corbin, Glenn Fisher, Ryan Helgason, Jon James, Danny King, Brock McMorris and Andrew Thomas represented the Pioneers on the All-WCHA Academic Team.

WCHA Player of the Year
Matt Carle, Jr, D, University of Denver

WCHA Student-Athlete of the Year
Ted O'Leary, Sr, F, University of Denver

WCHA Defensive Player of the Year
Matt Carle, Jr, D, University of Denver

WCHA Rookie of the Year
Phil Kessel, Fr, F, University of Minnesota

WCHA Coach of the Year
Don Lucia, University of Minnesota Bob Motzko, St. Cloud State University

WCHA Scoring Champion
Paul Stastny, So, F, University of Denver

WCHA Goaltending Champion
Brian Elliott, Jr, University of Wisconsin

2005-06 All-WCHA First Team
Pos Name Team Hgt Wgt Yr Hometown Pts
F Ryan Potulny Minnesota 6-0 193 Jr Grand Forks, ND 367
F Brett Sterling Colorado College 5-8 182 Sr Pasadena, CA 287
F Paul Stastny Denver 6-0 210 So St. Louis, MO 266
D Matt Carle Denver 6-0 195 Jr Anchorage, AK 390
D Tom Gilbert Wisconsin 6-3 210 Sr Bloomington, MN 304
G Bobby Goepfert St. Cloud State 5-10 170 Jr Kings Park, NY 314

2005-06 All-WCHA Second Team
Pos Name Team Hgt Wgt Yr Hometown Pts
F Joe Pavelski Wisconsin 5-11 185 So Plover, WI 204
F Marty Sertich Colorado College 5-8 165 Sr Roseville, MN 143
F David Backes Minnesota State 6-3 210 Jr Blaine, MN 138
D Alex Goligoski Minnesota 6-0 178 So Grand Rapids, MN 222
D Brian Salcido Colorado College 6-2 193 Jr Hermosa Beach, CA 174
G Brian Elliott Wisconsin 6-3 187 Jr Newmarket, ON 270

2005-06 All-WCHA Third Team
Pos Name Team Hgt Wgt Yr Hometown Pts
F Drew Stafford North Dakota 6-2 200 Jr Faribault, MN 131
F Ryan Dingle Denver 5-10 190 So Steamboat Springs, CO 118
F Danny Irmen Minnesota 6-0 193 Jr Fargo, ND 113
D Chris Harrington Minnesota 6-0 182 Sr St. Cloud, MN 122
D Matt Smaby North Dakota 6-5 220 Jr Minneapolis, MN 76
G Jordan Parise North Dakota 5-11 190 Jr Faribault, MN 58

2005-06 All-WCHA Rookie Team
Pos Name Team Hgt Wgt Yr Hometown Votes
F Phil Kessel Minnesota 6-0 190 Fr Madison, WI 73
F T.J. Oshie North Dakota 5-11 182 Fr Warroad, MN 72
F Mason Raymond Minnesota Duluth 6-0 170 Fr Cochrane, AB 40
D Chris Butler Denver 6-1 185 Fr St. Louis, MO 55
D Brian Lee North Dakota 6-3 190 Fr Moorhead, MN 50
G Dan Tormey Minnesota State 6-2 195 Fr Syracuse, NY 55

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WCHA Recognizes DU Scholar Athletes

MADISON, Wisc. - The Western Collegiate Hockey Association, announced an inaugural group of 47 WCHA Scholar-Athlete Award recipients. Only 19 Male players achieved the award and six play for the University of Denver. This was the highest number of players from any team in the conference.

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To earn recognition as a WCHA Scholar-Athlete, conference-member student-athletes must have completed at least one year of residency at their present institution prior to the current academic year and must also have a grade-point average of at least 3.50 on a 4.0 scale for the previous two semesters or three quarters, or may qualify if his or her overall GPA is at least 3.50 for all terms at his or her present institution.

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University of Denver:

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Zach Blom (Jr., D, Englewood, CO)

Steven Cook (Jr., F, Denver, CO)

J.D. Corbin (Jr., F, Littleton, CO)

Daniel King (Jr., G, Colorado Springs, CO)

Brock McMorris (Jr., F, Cherry Hills, CO)

Ted O'Leary (Sr., F, Arvada, CO)

What Happened to DU's Senior Class...

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(Left) Gabe Gauthier has led the Pioneers to two National Championships

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Yesterday, Coach Gwozdecky was asked during Ask the Coach...

Danielle (Boulder): Most of the national championship team from last year returns for the 2005-2006 season... team's leading scorer, WCHA Rookie of the Year, Frozen Four MVP...With all this returning talent, how is it that you began the season ranked number one and have gradually slipped to 15 in the national polls?

Coach Gwozdecky: Through our last two National Championship runs, we have had the great luxury of a good sized senior class. These seniors have been strong, skilled and had valuable experience. We are challenged this year with having only one senior who has been a regular in our lineup over the last three years. As a result, we have asked many of our younger and more inexperienced players to assume roles of primary responsibility that they are slowly getting comfortable with.

I thought this was a very candid answer, so I went back to Heisenberg's site and did a little research to see what was going on at DU in 2001, during the Letter of Intent signing periods. This was a very pivotal moment in DU's Hockey History. The Pioneers had their last losing season under Coach Gwozdecky in 1999-2000 and may not have been on the radar of the top college hockey "blue chippers." Down the road in Colorado Springs, Don Lucia was in the process of moving on to Minnesota and Scott Owens was taking over the reins at CC.

During the "Early LOI" period (March-May, 2001), DU signed Brett Skinner and Ryan Dingle. (During this period DU also signed Jon Foster, Kevin Ulanski and Nick Larson, who were "late signees" coming to DU in the following Spring). Skinner was a huge prize for the coaching staff. He was a Canadian defenseman who played for Des Moines in the USHL. At 6'1" 170 lbs. he might have been on the "skinny" side, but Heisenberg had him listed as the #2 recruit in the USHL and the #1 defenseman. During his DU playing career he improved unbelievably and eventually became an All-American his Junior season. As we all know, he signed with the Vancouver Canucks a year early. The other signee, Ryan Dingle from Steamboat Springs ended up deferring his college admission at DU for two seasons, but has been a fantastic addition for the Pioneers. So if you were to grade DU's recruiting signees in the Fall of 2001 you would have to give the coaches an "A" or perhaps an "A+", when you factor in the contributions made by Foster, Ulanski and Larson during the Championship runs. There were some real "finds" there.

During the Fall Signing Period of 2001 DU inked commitments from Gabe Gauthier, Scott Drewicki, and Glenn Fisher. Gabe Gauthier was a another huge signing for the DU coaching staff. Gauthier was a Californian playing for the Chilliwack Chiefs along with Jeff Tambellini, who ended up being a superstar with Michigan. Tambellini racked up 129 points for Michigan in just three seasons, but like Skinner signed a professional contract a year early. Tambellini was considered to be the #1 recruit out of British Columbia and Gauthier #2.

Gauthier narrowed his choices down to Boston University and DU. Gabe's father was so sure that he was heading to Boston, that he loaded up on BU Hockey shirts on a recruiting visit. Gabe had played some prep hockey out East, so he was familiar with the area. Something must have happened on his visit to Denver, however, because Gabe choose the Pioneers in a bit of a surprise at the time. One GWG against Maine, two National Championships and over 100 career points later and Gauthier is a shoo-in for the DU Hall of Fame.

Glenn Fisher was signed during the 2001 Fall signing period as well. He was always slated to come to DU a year after Gauthier. Fisher was a prize recruit considered by Inside College Hockey to be the #1 incoming goaltender. The Scott Drewicki signing can only be descibed as a "bust." He was a sought after prospect from Alberta, and was ranked by Heisenberg as the #2 defenseman and #13 prospect overall. When DU signs a player out of Canada, big things are expected. In a season and a half at DU he saw limited duty with the Pioneers appearing in 28 games and notching up two assists. He quit the team during the middle of first Championship season and transferred to Merrimack. The irony was that as soon as he quit in his sophmore season, DU had a rash of injuries and he would have seen more playing time. Add to the fact that he walked out on two National Championships and perhaps a key role this season. Hard to say what kind of a grade you would give the Fall Signees. Skinner is one of the top Power Play defensemen in DU history and he played a pivotal role in two Championships. Perhaps a "B," but it sure would be handy to have a few more Seniors on the roster right now.

Ted O'Leary was a Late Signee in the Spring of 2002. He has played in two National Championship games, is the Assistant Captain this season and as we all know is a three time WCHA All-Academic Team selection. You have to love what he has contributed to the Pioneers over his career. The coaches frequently point to his leadership and hard work to motivate the younger guys. Ted has two rings and the respect of every Pioneer fan.

So there you have it. The 2001 recuits who played a pivotal role in delivering two National Championships to the Pioneers. Today the Pioneers only have two Seniors on the Roster and with the big CC series this weekend, perhaps the entire season hangs in the balance. A split or better and the Pioneers can improve their RPI postion towards an NCAA bid. Against all odds, DU's two lonely Seniors are going to have to lead the way for DU to return to Milwaukee.