DU's 2013-14 Home Hockey Scedule

Terry Ellis Continues Amazing Journey

(above) Terry Ellis hopes to shut down North Carolina on Sunday

From: Denver Post
by Mike Chambers

Terry Ellis didn't learn about lacrosse until he was a freshman at Clayton High School outside of St. Louis when news of the racially charged Duke lacrosse case dominated headlines. An African-American woman falsely accused three white lacrosse players of rape, a story that got widespread media attention in 2006.

 

"Where I grew up, you play baseball and soccer, but a friend told me I should play lacrosse. He said I would be good," said Ellis, who is African-American. "So he lent me his equipment and I fell in love with it. And here I am" [read entire article].

Royce O'Neale Transferring To Baylor

From: NBC Sports.com

by Rob Dauster

Details On Transfer

Baylor has lost a pair of guards to transfer in the last couple of weeks, but the Bears may have found a way to fill that void.

Royce O’Neale is expected to commit to the Bears today, according to a report from Jeff Goodman of CBSSports.com. O’Neale is a 6-foot-5 wing from Killeen, TX, that averaged 11.2 points, 5.5 boards and 3.5 assists for a good Denver team last season. O’Neale’s grandfather is sick and he’s transferring home to be closer to him, and O’Neale is expected to apply for a waiver to gain immediate eligibility. 

O’Neale isn’t the only wing that Baylor has added recently, as they also signed top 100 recruit Al Freeman after Freeman backed out of his commitment to UCLA.

DU Lacrosse Watch Parties On Sunday

(above) This was the scene at Crimson & Gold in 2011
.

Fans of the University of Denver men's lacrosse team interested in watching the NCAA Tournament game between the Pioneers and North Carolina can watch the game at three locations surrounding the DU campus.

 

Boone's Tavern

1135 East Evans Ave.

Denver, CO. 80210

The Pioneer

2401 S. University Blvd.

Denver, CO. 80210

Crimson and Gold

2017 S. University Blvd.

Denver, CO. 80210

The game is slated to begin Sunday at 10 AM MT and will be broadcast live on ESPNU.All three locations will be serving breakfast.

Former DU Lacrosse Coach Sees Company Grow

From: Denver Post
by Jason Blevins

Suddenly, Denver is a lacrosse boom town.

The University of Denver Pioneers are perennial contenders, selling out national contests in hours. The Colorado Mammoth and Denver Outlaws draw sellout crowds. Next summer, Dick's Sporting Goods Park will host the World Lacrosse Championships.

Packed into a crowded office in south Denver, a veteran lacrosse coach and an entrepreneur are grooming the next generation of lacrosse players who will further establish Denver as the western capital of lacrosse, challenging the longtime reign of the lacrosse-dominant East Coast.

3d Lacrosse has seen revenues grow more than 700 percent from 2009 through 2012. The company, which hosts high-profile lacrosse events and offers training programs in five states for players from grade school through high school, has grown from three employees in a one-room office to more than 30 in the past three years, with offices in Boston, San Diego and San Francisco, as well as Denver. 

"No one does all the different things we do," said Jamie Munro, a former coach of the University of Denver lacrosse team for 11 seasons who founded 3d Lacrosse with his wife, Sara, as an events-and-coaching operation four years ago [read entire article].

News & Notes From Around PioNation

Add the Denver Post's Woody Paige to the growing chorus that wants George Gwozdecky to be the next coach of the Colorado Avalanche.

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DU alum Mark Matthews of the NLL's Edmonton Rush was named Rookie of the Year of the Indoor lacrosse league.  Matthews was 5th in the league in scoring.

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Incoming University of Denver coach Jim Montgomery led the Dubuque Saints to two wins over the weekend to grab a 2-0 lead in the best of five series against the Fargo Force.

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After upsetting the University of Florida on Friday, the DU men's tennis team lost to the University of California 4-1 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

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The University of Denver women's lacrosse team also advanced to the second round of the NCAA women's Lacrosse Tournament before falling to Florida 16-5.

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DU alum Anthony Maiani, a member of the Allen Americans, won their first CHL Presidents Cup Championship, 3-2 in overtime on Saturday night.

NCAA Lacrosse Tournament: DU 19 - Albany 14

(above) Wesley Berg #14 had a huge day for DU

Wes Berg scored eight goals to lead the University of Denver lacrosse team to a 19-14 victory over Albany.  It was the highest scoring NCAA lacrosse playoff game since 2004.

Berg fell one goal short of tying the NCAA playoff goal record by one goal.

The attendance was 2,621 a Baron Stadium record.

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

Mascot Task Force Minutes From 4/30/2013

Sign Denver Boone Petition: 1,125 Signatures

The Minutes from the Mascot Steering Committee Meeting on 4/30/2013 has been posted on line.

Gwozdecky Misses Out On UConn Coaching Job

Mike Cavanaugh

From: Bangor Daily News
by Larry Mahoney

Mike Cavanaugh an assistant coach at Boston College for the past 18 seasons, is in final negotiations to become the head hockey coach at the University of Connecticut.

Deposed University of Denver coach George Gwozdecky and former Providence College assistant David Berard, who was the interim head coach at UConn this past season, were the other finalists.

The decision is said to have come down to Cavanaugh and Berard, who would get an offer if, for some unexpected reason, contract negotiations broke down with Cavanaugh. Gwozdecky was the first finalist eliminated from consideration.

UConn did have a non-scholarship Division I Atlantic Hockey team but will add the full complement of 18 scholarships and join Hockey East in 2014-15.

ESPN anchor John Buccigross reported via Twitter last week that UConn and Gwozdecky were in intense discussions and there was an “excellent chance” Gwozdecky was going to get the position.

Gwozdecky could now be a candidate for the Maine job vacated by Tim Whitehead, who was fired after 12 seasons as the head coach.

Gwozdecky, who was fired at Denver when his contract negotiations broke down despite his 443-267-64 record over 19 seasons, said last month he was interested in the Maine job.

Clarion: DU Committee Offers Boone Replacements

(above) DU's Mascot Task Force is developing a replacement for Boone

From: DU Clarion

by Gigi Peccolo

The Mascot Steering Committee is currently developing seven concepts for the new mascot and will continue to refine the designs within the coming weeks, according to group founder Will Guy.

The seven concepts leaked on alumnus Damien Goddard’s “LetsGoDU Sports Blog” are: a mountaineer, a mustang, a hiker/climber, a jackalope, an elk, a golden retriever and a robot (a nod to the robotics program). Each conceptual drawing will be accompanied by a backstory for the mascot, according to Guy [read entire article].

NCAA 1st Round Lax Tickets Now Sold Out

Tickets for the 2013 NCAA Tournament First Round game between #4 seeded University of Denver men's lacrosse team and the University at Albany are now sold-out. General admission Grassy Knoll Tickets are now being sold @ $15.

Purchase the tickets online: http://bit.ly/t9JY6Y

The game will be sold out by Tuesday.

Adults $15 - Students $5

Gwozdecky Linked To Numerous Coaching Jobs

From: Northwest Chronicle Journal

by Tom Annelin

After his recent ouster following 19 successful seasons as head coach at the University of Denver, George Gwozdecky’s name continues to be linked to a number of NCAA Division 1 coaching vacancies.

Multiple media outlets reported last week the 59-year-old Thunder Bay product was one of three finalists interviewed for the University of Connecticut coaching position. The Huskies have one year remaining to play out of the Atlantic Hockey conference before joining Hockey East in 2014-15.

Among the other schools that are rumoured to have Gwozdecky on their radar is another Hockey East member, Maine, along with the University of Alaska-Anchorage of The Western Collegiate Hockey Association, who announced last week they were restructuring their search for a new coach.

At Denver, Gwozdecky was the only Division 1 bench boss to post 20-win seasons in each of the past 12 years, which included a pair of national championships.

Video: Zucker's Game Winner In OT Lifts Wild

Jason Zucker's GWG In OT Stuns Blackhawks

(above) Jason Zucker celebrates on Sunday

DU alum Jason Zucker scored at 2:15 of overtime to give Minnesota a 3-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday, pulling the Wild within 2-1 in the Western Conference quarterfinal series. Zucker's bad-angle shot slipped past goalie Corey Crawford, and the rookie raced toward the corner and jumped into the glass to celebrate.

. 
Zucker had ripped a shot off the crossbar in overtime in Game 1 against the Chicago Blackhawks, a game the Wild lost minutes later.

DU Women's Lax Team Makes NCAA's For 1st Time

(above) Click on image to enlarge

The #11 ranked University of Denver Women's lacrosse team made the NCAA Tournament for the first time this season. They will face Jacksonville next Friday at 2 PM in Florida.

DU Lax to Face Albany In NCAA Tourney

(above) Click on image to enlarge

The University of Denver lacrosse team will face Albany on Saturday night [5:30 PM] at Barton Stadium.  The game will be televised on ESPN-U.

Sign Denver Boone Petition: 1,118 Signatures

ECAC Lacrosse Championship

DU vs. Ohio State

2 PM MT

TV: Fox Sports Network, ROOT Sports-Rocky Mountain
Fox College Sports, FUEL TV

DU Star Hoopster Royce O'Neale Leaving DU

Royce O'Neale

From: NBCSports.com

by  Raphielle Johnson

The University of Denver is moving to the Summit League, and they may have to do so without two of those key contributors. On Friday the school announced that Royce O’Neale’s request to be released from his scholarship has been granted.

O’Neale, a native of Kileen, Texas, made the request due to the health of his grandfather, according to Jeff Goodman of CBSSports.com.

“Royce has a personal situation at home in Killeen, Texas,” head coach Joe Scott said in a statement released by the school. “He has requested a release to explore schools that would place him in close proximity to his family. We are understanding and supportive, and therefore have granted Royce a release to those schools.

“As we do this, we are and have been working on a plan for him to stay at the University of Denver while also meeting and supporting his family needs. We are exploring all options to help him.”

If they’re able to work out something to where O’Neale is able to take care of the situation and remain at Denver, the Pioneers would be in position to be one of the preseason favorites to win the Summit League crown.

As a sophomore the 6-5 O’Neale averaged 11.2 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game, leading the Pioneers in both rebounding and assists, earning third-team All-WAC honors.

Paul Statny & Matt Carle Named USA Captains

(above) DU Alums Paul Stastny and Matt Carle were named captains of Team USA yesterday

DU Lax Advances To ECAC Championship Game

Led be a five-point effort from senior Cameron Flint, #3 ranked University of Denver men’s lacrosse team defeated Fairfield University 10-8 in the ECAC semifinals on Thursday evening. The win advances the Pioneers to the Championship game on Saturday at 2 PM MT. against Ohio State. 

The game will be live on Fox Sports Network, ROOT Sports-Rocky Mountain, Fox College Sports and FUEL TV.

Twitter: Buccigross Links Gwozdecky To UConn Job

(above) ESPN studio host John Buccigross has linked George Gwozdecky to the vacant UConn coaching vacancy

Beau Bennett Scores 1st NHL Playoff Goal

(above) DU Alum Beau Bennett scored his first NHL playoff goal on Tuesday night

From: NHL.com
by Chris Adamski

The picturesque May morning in Pittsburgh on Wednesday seemed that much sunnier for the rookie they call "Sunshine" when he received word he would make his Stanley Cup Playoffs debut later that evening. 

A clear, 78-degree afternoon must have felt like home for Southern California native & University of Denver Alum Beau Bennett.

Twenty-five seconds into his first career postseason shift, the 21-year-old Bennett scored his first career postseason goal. Bennett, a surprise addition to the Pittsburgh Penguins' lineup for their playoff opener, wasn't told he'd be playing against the New York Islanders for Game 1 of their Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series until Wednesday morning.

His goal opened the floodgates of what turned out to be a 5-0 Pittsburgh victory.

"You definitely get ramped up because the crowd was ready from the get-go," said Bennett, a 2010 first-round draft pick (No. 20) of the Penguins. "I was pretty excited to get that first shift on the power play -- and definitely helped getting that goal as well."

Bennett flipped a wrist shot to the perfect spot of only a couple of inches of near-side space between Islanders goalie Evgeni Nabokov's shoulder, the cross bar and the post as he skated down through the right circle with speed.

"There wasn't a whole lot of room," veteran teammate Brenden Morrow said, marveling, "and he found a little hole there up top."

It was the kind of skill play that Bennett -- dubbed "Sunshine" by his teammates after a character in the movie "Remember the Titans" -- regularly wows teammates and coaches with in practice.

But as talented as Bennett is, there were doubts he'd be able to crack a deep lineup of a team that is on a very short list of Stanley Cup favorites. While Bennett appeared in 26 games this season, many times a spot was open in the lineup because of injuries to other players.

"The skill he adds to our lineup on the fourth line was not only evident on that goal, but evident in 5-on-5 as well with some of the shifts he had in the offensive zone," Bylsma said. "That's something he's added in his latest stint with us after he got called back up. He's proven that, and certainly did that tonight."

Bennett's goal came at the tail end of a power play, meaning he was on the ice with world-class talents Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang. Bennett fit right in -- good thing, too, because when James Neal left the game early in the second period with an apparent lower-body injury, Bennett found himself on a line with Malkin and Chris Kunitz.

The Penguins gave no update on Neal's status for Game 2 -- but they can feel confident Bennett can slot into any top-six role.

"He's got a lot of skill -- and a lot of smarts," Jarome Iginla said of Bennett. "People talk about hockey IQ and stuff; he's got a lot of it. He finds ways to make plays with the puck, and the puck seems to follow him."

Bylsma said Bennett was probably the team's best power-play guy outside of the first unit over the final 10 games of the regular season.

DU's Seven Mascot Finalists Leaked On Facebook

(above) Boone signs autographs during DU's 14-5 lacrosse victory over Michigan

Sign Denver Boone Petition: 1,118 Signatures

Denver Boone is more popular than ever thanks to Chancellor Coombe, Kevin Carroll and the University of Denver's Mascot Task Force.  DU set up a "Create A Denver Pioneer Mascot Page" on Facebook and its become Ground Zero for Boone supporters. 

The seven "Pioneer" finalists to replace Boone are:

• Mustang
• Jackalope
• Golden Retriever
• Robot
• Male & Female Climbers
• Mountaineer
• Elk

New UCONN Husky Logo Promotes Rape

From: DailyCaller.com

As the University of Denver marches forward with its fraudulent Mascot Task Force that refuses to consider or allow Boone to be discussed as a potential mascot, despite overwhelming alumni support, now comes word that the UConn Husky Logo promotes rape. DU better tone down its proposed Golden Retriever mascot submission or PioNation shall soon face similar backlash.

The new logo for the University of Connecticut’s sports teams is a terrifying husky dog that calls to mind images of sexual assault, says one student.

The new logo was unveiled last week, receiving mixed-to-negative reviews from UConn fans who preferred the older, cuter husky dog.

But one student went much further, criticizing the new, meaner logo for being a pro-rape symbol.

In an open letter to UC President Susan Herbst, self-described feminist student Carolyn Luby wrote that the redesigned team logo will intimidate women and empower rape culture.

UConn basketball coach Geno Auriemma said the logo “is looking right through you and saying, ‘Do not mess with me.’ This is a streamlined, fighting dog, and I cannot wait for it to be on our uniforms and court."

In response, Luby wrote, “What terrifies me about the admiration of such traits is that I know what it feels like to have a real life Husky look straight through you and to feel powerless, and to wonder if even the administration cannot ‘mess with them.’ And I know I am not alone.”

There were two sexual assaults at UConn involving athletes in the past year, Luby claimed.

The logo and the teams it represents are menacing to women, she wrote.

“The face of real life UConn athletics is certainly capable of frightening college women,” wrote Luby.

Herbst did not respond to requests for comment.

(above) Paul Stastny posing with a Boone poster during his DU playing days

Sign Denver Boone Petition: 1,118 Signatures

Goal 1,000 Signatures

Big Weekend On Campus

[above] DU Rugby will play at Infinity Park on Saturday

FRIDAY

#1 DU Women's Tennis vs. #5 Idaho @ Gates Tennis Center - WAC Semi's [2 PM]

#11 DU Women's Lacrosse team vs. Oregon @ Barton Stadium DU [5 PM]

DU Students: "The BIG Event" on Driscoll Green & Sturm Hall [9 PM-2 AM]

SATURDAY

Men's Lacrosse vs. Michigan Wolverines [Noon] @ Barton Stadium

Pregame Lacrosse Tailgate starts at 9 AM, and DUGS is making pancakes

DU Men's Rugby vs. St. John's University @ Infinity Park in the FINAL FOUR of the NSCRO National Championship [3 PM]

Men's Soccer Spring Season game against Air Force [6:15 PM]

DU Hockey Banquet Tonight

(above) Jesse Martin speaking at the banquet two years ago

The University of Denver will host the 57th Annual Pioneer Hockey Awards Evening tonight at The Cable Center on the DU Campus. The Pioneers will celebrate the senior class of 2013 and the 2012-13 hockey season.

Much of the conversation, on and off the dias, will be sure to center around recently departed hockey coach George Gwozdecky.   Its likely that the banquet will be a celebration of the coach's remarkable career at DU, but one has to wonder why its taken until now to honor his many contributions to the university.

Also of interest will be those who won't be in attendance. Reportedly, the family that was the major sponsor of the banquet in past years declined to contribute after the firing of the coach was announced.

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

Montgomery Has Tough Act To Follow

From: USCHO.com

by Matthew Semisch

Whenever an organization hires a new leader, it’s seen to a certain extent as a chance to start anew with fresh blood and equally fresh ideas.

That’s what Denver is banking on with Jim Montgomery, the school’s new head coach that was introduced to media members in the Colorado capital April 15.

Pioneers fans are weary following the controversial firing April 1 of George Gwozdecky, Denver’s head coach of 19 seasons who won back-to-back national championships in 2004 and 2005. As for the school’s acquisition of Montgomery, however, there’s short-term bad news and long-term good news [read entire article].