Denver Pioneers men's ice hockey
Encyclopedia
The University of Denver
Men's Hockey Program has been playing NCAA Division I hockey since 1949. Pioneer Hockey is one of the most successful hockey programs in the history of collegiate hockey. The Pioneers rank (with the University of North Dakota
) second in all-time NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Championships with 7. Only the University of Michigan
(9) has more Championships. Since the creation of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association
in 1959, the Pioneers have won 9 WCHA Regular Season Championships (now the recipients of the MacNaughton Cup
) and 14 WCHA Playoff Championships (now the recipients of the Broadmoor Trophy
). The Pioneers have placed numerous players into the National Hockey League
, including Chicago Black Hawks
great Keith Magnuson
, NHL journeyman Kevin Dineen
, and recent phenoms Matt Carle
(2006 Hobey Baker Award
winner) of the Philadelphia Flyers
and Paul Stastny
of the Colorado Avalanche
.
. Since DU's hockey program started in 1949 the two schools have always met during the hockey season. In the 1993-04 season a gold pan trophy was added as a reward for the winning team thus the rivalry has been dubbed the Battle for the Gold Pan
. It is widely considered to be the most heated rivalry in college hockey.
"*Ranks 18th All-Time in NCAA Division I Wins"
Originally a Naval Drill Hall built during World War II in Farragut, Idaho, the DU arena was donated to the University after the war and reassembled on the Denver campus in 1948-49 to house the University's then-new ice hockey program.
The arena was refurbished in 1972-73 when the roof needed repairs, and 14 seven-ton steel trussess were added to shore up the roof. Additional patchwork renovations were added in the 1990s, prior to razing the building in 1997.
The best known features of the arena were the steep bleacher balcony at the south end, and the 1970s rainbow painted on the north end wall. Famous hockey games held there include the NCAA ice hockey finals in 1961, 1964 and 1976.
Magness Arena is a 7,200-seat multi-purpose collegiate sports arena in Denver, Colorado. It was built in 2000 as part of the Daniel L. Ritchie Center for Sports & Wellness, a $75 million, 400000 square feet (37,161.2 m²) sports complex at the University of Denver. It is home to the University of Denver Pioneers ice hockey and basketball teams. The Ritchie Center replaced the former DU Arena and DU Fieldhouse, which were razed in 1997 to make way for the Ritchie Center. The basketball team also plays smaller games at Hamilton Gymnasium, located in the Ritchie Center.
The arena is named after cable television pioneer Bob Magness, who donated $10 million towards construction costs.
University of Denver
The University of Denver is currently ranked 82nd among all public and private "National Universities" by U.S. News & World Report in the 2012 rankings....
Men's Hockey Program has been playing NCAA Division I hockey since 1949. Pioneer Hockey is one of the most successful hockey programs in the history of collegiate hockey. The Pioneers rank (with the University of North Dakota
University of North Dakota
The University of North Dakota is a public university in Grand Forks, North Dakota, USA. Established by the Dakota Territorial Assembly in 1883, six years before the establishment of the state of North Dakota, UND is the oldest and largest university in the state and enrolls over 14,000 students. ...
) second in all-time NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Championships with 7. Only the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
(9) has more Championships. Since the creation of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association
Western Collegiate Hockey Association
The Western Collegiate Hockey Association is a college athletic conference which operates over a wide area of the Midwestern and Western United States. It participates in the NCAA's Division I as an ice hockey-only conference....
in 1959, the Pioneers have won 9 WCHA Regular Season Championships (now the recipients of the MacNaughton Cup
MacNaughton Cup
The MacNaughton Cup is a trophy awarded annually to the regular season conference champion of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association . The trophy is named after James MacNaughton of Calumet, Michigan, who was an avid supporter of amateur ice hockey...
) and 14 WCHA Playoff Championships (now the recipients of the Broadmoor Trophy
Broadmoor Trophy
The Broadmoor Trophy is a trophy that has been awarded to the Western Collegiate Hockey Association playoff champion since 1985. The trophy itself dates to 1981, when it was awarded to the WCHA regular season champion for three seasons, from 1981-82 to 1983-84...
). The Pioneers have placed numerous players into the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
, including Chicago Black Hawks
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...
great Keith Magnuson
Keith Magnuson
Keith Arlen Magnuson was a professional ice hockey defenceman from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan who played in the National Hockey League between 1969 and 1979...
, NHL journeyman Kevin Dineen
Kevin Dineen
Kevin William Dineen is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player who is currently the head coach of the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League.-St. Michael's Buzzers:As a seventeen year old, Dineen played with the St...
, and recent phenoms Matt Carle
Matt Carle
Matthew Carle is an American professional ice hockey defenseman who plays for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
(2006 Hobey Baker Award
Hobey Baker Award
The Hobey Baker Award is an annual award given to the top National Collegiate Athletic Association men's ice hockey player.It is named for hockey player and World War I veteran Hobey Baker, who played collegiately at Princeton University and learned the game at St...
winner) of the Philadelphia Flyers
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
and Paul Stastny
Paul Stastny
Paul Stastny is an American professional ice hockey center, an alternate captain for the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League . Of Slovak lineage, Stastny is the son of Hockey Hall of Famer Peter Stastny, who played for the Avalanche's predecessor, the Quebec Nordiques...
of the Colorado Avalanche
Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver, Colorado, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Avalanche have won the Stanley Cup twice, in 1995–96 and 2000–01. The franchise...
.
DU/CC Rivalry
Of all the rivals that the Denver Pioneer's hockey program play against the most intense rivalry is that from the neighboring college of the Colorado College Tigers men's ice hockeyColorado College Tigers men's ice hockey
The Colorado College Tigers men's ice hockey team is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college ice hockey program that represents Colorado College. The Tigers are a member of Western Collegiate Hockey Association...
. Since DU's hockey program started in 1949 the two schools have always met during the hockey season. In the 1993-04 season a gold pan trophy was added as a reward for the winning team thus the rivalry has been dubbed the Battle for the Gold Pan
Battle for the Gold Pan
The Battle for the Gold Pan is series that is played between the Colorado College Tigers men's ice hockey team and the Denver Pioneers men's ice hockey team. The Gold Pan is widely considered to be one of the most intense rivalries in college hockey, equalling the intensity of the Beanpot rivalry...
. It is widely considered to be the most heated rivalry in college hockey.
Current head coach
George Gwozdecky- The only coach in NCAA history to win a hockey national title as a player, assistant coach and head coach.
- Gwozdecky-coached teams have reached the NCAA Tournament (including the 1992-93 Miami team) in seven of the last 15 years.
- Captured ten Denver Cup titles
- Gwozdecky holds a 461-319-61 (.580) record in 21 seasons as a Head Coach.
- Gwozdecky sports a 394-289-59 (.566) record coaching Division I programs over 18 seasons
- Gwozdecky has won two Spencer Penrose Awards as the National Coach of the Year.
Coaching records
| Coach | Years | Wins | Losses | Ties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Murray Armstrong Murray Armstrong Murray Alexander Armstrong was a Canadian professional ice hockey centre and NCAA hockey coach.-Playing career:... * |
1956 to 1977 | 463 | 215 | 31 |
| George Gwozdecky | 1994 to Present | 311 | 195 | 40 |
| Ralph Backstrom | 1981 to 1990 | 182 | 174 | 14 |
| Marshall Johnston | 1977 to 1981 | 89 | 63 | 7 |
| Neil Celley | 1951 to 1956 | 82 | 43 | 6 |
| Frank Serratore | 1990 to 1994 | 49 | 92 | 9 |
| Vern Turner | 1949 to 1951 | 15 | 24 | 1 |
"*Ranks 18th All-Time in NCAA Division I Wins"
Retired players
| Forwards/Defenseman | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Team | Seasons | GP | Goals | Assists | Points | +/- | PIM | |
| Keith Magnuson Keith Magnuson Keith Arlen Magnuson was a professional ice hockey defenceman from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan who played in the National Hockey League between 1969 and 1979... |
Chicago Blackhawks | 10 | 589 | 14 | 125 | 139 | 170 | 1442 | |
| Cliff Koroll Cliff Koroll Clifford Eugene Koroll is a retired professional ice hockey right winger. After earning all-WCHA honors at the University of Denver in 1968, Koroll signed an NHL contract and played his entire National Hockey League career spanning from 1969 to 1980 with the Chicago Black Hawks... |
Chicago Blackhawks | 11 | 814 | 208 | 254 | 462 | 109 | 376 | |
| Bill Masterton Bill Masterton William J. Masterton was a Canadian-American professional ice hockey centre who played one season in the National Hockey League for the Minnesota North Stars before succumbing to an injury he suffered during a game against the Oakland Seals in 1968... * |
Minnesota | 1 | 38 | 4 | 8 | 12 | (4) | 4 | |
| Peter McNab | Buffalo/Boston/Vancouver/NewJersey | 15 | 954 | 363 | 450 | 813 | 130 | 179 | |
| Kevin Dineen Kevin Dineen Kevin William Dineen is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player who is currently the head coach of the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League.-St. Michael's Buzzers:As a seventeen year old, Dineen played with the St... |
Hartford/Philadelphia/Carolina/Columbus | 21 | 1188 | 355 | 405 | 760 | (23) | 2229 | |
| Vic Venasky Vic Venasky Victor William Venasky is a retired professional ice hockey player. After playing college hockey at the University of Denver, Venasky went on to play 430 games in the National Hockey League with the Los Angeles Kings. He now coaches youth hockey in Southern California.- External links :... |
Los Angeles Kings | 7 | 430 | 61 | 101 | 162 | (17) | 66 | |
| Glenn Anderson Glenn Anderson Glenn Christopher Anderson is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey right winger in the National Hockey League who played for the Edmonton Oilers, Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, and St. Louis Blues... |
Edmonton/Toronto/NY Rangers/St. Louis | 18 | 1,129 | 498 | 601 | 1,099 | 201 | 1,120 | |
| Mike Christie Mike Christie (ice hockey) Michael Hunt Christie is a retired professional ice hockey defenceman who played 412 games in the National Hockey League for the California Seals, Cleveland Barons, Colorado Rockies, and Vancouver Canucks in 1974–1981... |
California Seals/CO Rockies/Cleveland/Vancouver | 9 | 412 | 15 | 101 | 116 | (97) | 550 | |
| Marshall Johnston Marshall Johnston Lawrence "Marshall" Johnston is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey right winger who played seven seasons in the National Hockey League with the Minnesota North Stars and California Golden Seals... |
Minnesota/California Seals | 7 | 251 | 14 | 52 | 66 | (73) | 58 | |
| Rich Preston Rich Preston Richard John Preston is a Canadian ice hockey coach and former forward.Preston began his pro career in the World Hockey Association in the 1974-75 season with the Avco World Trophy champion Houston Aeros. He then played three more years with the Aeros before joining the Winnipeg Jets in 1978-79... |
Chicago/New Jersey | 8 | 580 | 127 | 164 | 291 | (35) | 348 | |
| Ed Beers Ed Beers Edward Joseph "Eddy" Beers is a retired professional ice hockey forward who played 250 games in the National Hockey League. He was nearly a point per game player in his time in the NHL, but his NHL career was cut short by injury.... |
Calgary/St. Louis | 6 | 250 | 94 | 116 | 210 | 19 | 256 | |
| Bruce Affleck Bruce Affleck Robert Bruce Affleck is a Canadian retired former professional ice hockey defenceman who played in the National Hockey League in the 1970s. Currently he serves as an executive for the St... |
St. Louis/Vancouver | 7 | 280 | 14 | 66 | 80 | (82) | 86 | |
| Craig Patrick Craig Patrick Craig Patrick is a former American hockey player, coach and general manager, the son of Lynn Patrick and the grandson of Lester Patrick... * |
Washington/California Seals | 9 | 401 | 72 | 91 | 163 | (131) | 61 | |
| Craig Redmond Craig Redmond Craig Sanford Redmond is a retired professional ice hockey player who played 191 games in the National Hockey League. He played for the Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings.... |
Los Angeles/Edmonton | 5 | 191 | 16 | 68 | 84 | (57) | 134 | |
| Erik Andersson Erik Andersson (ice hockey b. 1971) Erik Andersson is a retired professional ice hockey player who played 12 games in the National Hockey League with the Calgary Flames. First drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in the 6th round of the 1990 NHL Entry Draft, Andersson chose not to sign with LA. In the 1997 draft, Andersson was... |
Calgary | 1 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 3 | (8) | 134 | |
| Goalies | |||||||||
| Name | Team | Seasons | GP | Min | W | L | T | OT | GAA |
| Ron Grahame Ron Grahame Ronald Ian Grahame is a former professional ice hockey goaltender in the National Hockey League and World Hockey Association.... |
Boston/Kings/Quebec | 5 | 114 | 6,472 | 50 | 43 | 15 | 0 | 3.79 |
| Pete LoPresti Pete LoPresti Peter Jon LoPresti is a retired American ice hockey goaltender. He is the son of former National Hockey League goaltender Sam Lopresti.... |
Minnesota/Edmonton | 6 | 175 | 9858 | 43 | 102 | 20 | 0 | 4.07 |
- Bill MastertonBill MastertonWilliam J. Masterton was a Canadian-American professional ice hockey centre who played one season in the National Hockey League for the Minnesota North Stars before succumbing to an injury he suffered during a game against the Oakland Seals in 1968...
, on January 13, 1968, fell to the ice, hitting his head. He died two days later of massive head injuries, becoming the first player to die as a direct result of an injury during an NHL game. The Bill Masterton Memorial TrophyBill Masterton Memorial TrophyThe Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the National Hockey League player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to ice hockey. The winner is selected by a poll of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association after each team nominates one...
is awarded annually to the NHL player who best personifies perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to the game of hockey - Craig PatrickCraig PatrickCraig Patrick is a former American hockey player, coach and general manager, the son of Lynn Patrick and the grandson of Lester Patrick...
was the GM of 1991 & 1992 Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins
Active players
- as of 12/19/07
Forwards/Defensemen Name Team Seasons Games Played Goals Assists Points +/- PIM Matt Pettinger Matt PettingerMatthew Pettinger is a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger who is currently playing for Kölner Haie of the German Deutsche Eishockey Liga . He has previously played in the National Hockey League with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Vancouver Canucks and the Washington Capitals...Washington/Vancouver/Tampa Bay 7 311 52 45 97 (40) 163 Paul Stastny Paul StastnyPaul Stastny is an American professional ice hockey center, an alternate captain for the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League . Of Slovak lineage, Stastny is the son of Hockey Hall of Famer Peter Stastny, who played for the Avalanche's predecessor, the Quebec Nordiques...Colorado Avalanche 2 116 43 76 119 18 58 Matt Carle Matt CarleMatthew Carle is an American professional ice hockey defenseman who plays for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...San Jose/Tampa Bay/Philadelphia 3 115 15 39 54 1 52 Antti Laaksonen Antti LaaksonenAntti Akseli Laaksonen is a Finnish former professional ice hockey left winger who last played for the Lukko of the SM-Liiga...Boston/Minnesota/Colorado 7 483 81 87 168 (11) 152 Mark Rycroft Mark RycroftMark Rycroft is a former professional ice hockey right winger who played in the National Hockey League with the St. Louis Blues and Colorado Avalanche.-Playing career:...St. Louis/Colorado 4 226 21 25 46 (9) 113 Tyler Bozak Tyler BozakTyler Bozak is a Canadian ice hockey centre currently playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League . Bozak has also played for the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League...Toronto Maple Leafs 3 141 29 46 75 (-39) 32 Goalies Name Team Seasons Games Played MINS W L T OT GAA SV % Wade Dubielewicz Wade DubielewiczWade Roger Dubielewicz , is a Canadian ice hockey goaltender, who is currently plays for the Cologne Sharks in Germany...New York Islanders 4 21 971 8 6 1 0 2.78 .907 Peter "the stud" Mannino Atlanta Thrashers 2 3 133 1 1 0 0 4.51 .885
DU Arena (1948–1997)
University of Denver Arena was a 5,200-seat multi-purpose arena in Denver, Colorado. It was home to the University of Denver Pioneers ice hockey team. It also hosted several Frozen Fours. It was razed in 1997 to make room for the $75 million Magness Arena, (part of the Ritchie Center for Sports and Wellness) which opened in 1999.Originally a Naval Drill Hall built during World War II in Farragut, Idaho, the DU arena was donated to the University after the war and reassembled on the Denver campus in 1948-49 to house the University's then-new ice hockey program.
The arena was refurbished in 1972-73 when the roof needed repairs, and 14 seven-ton steel trussess were added to shore up the roof. Additional patchwork renovations were added in the 1990s, prior to razing the building in 1997.
The best known features of the arena were the steep bleacher balcony at the south end, and the 1970s rainbow painted on the north end wall. Famous hockey games held there include the NCAA ice hockey finals in 1961, 1964 and 1976.
Magness Arena (1999–present)
The arena is named after cable television pioneer Bob Magness, who donated $10 million towards construction costs.