The University of Denver's 59th season of hockey was highlighted by its WCHA-leading 15th playoff championship and 19th appearance in the NCAA Tournament. The Pioneers finished the season with a 26-14-1 mark and 16-11-1 third-place mark in the WCHA.
SEASON HIGHLIGHTS
Denver captured its league-leading 15th WCHA playoff championship with a 2-1 win over Minnesota.
The Pioneers advanced to their 19th NCAA tournament and first since claiming the national title in 2005.
DU claimed its 13th Wells Fargo Denver Cup crown, while sporting a 26-5-1 mark in the annual holiday tournament.
The Pioneers finished the season with a 26-14-1 record, marking their seventh consecutive season with 21 or more wins.
DU hosted the first round of the WCHA playoffs for the fifth consecutive season.
The Pioneers were ranked in the top 13 in both national polls every week of the season.
NCAA MIDWEST REGIONAL RECAP
Denver’s 59th season of varsity hockey ended with a 6-2 loss to Wisconsin at the NCAA Midwest Regional in Madison, Wis. Michael Davies tallied two goals and an assist and Shane Connelly stopped 30 shots to lead the No. 17 Badgers. Dustin Jackson and Tom May scored for DU, and Peter Mannino made 20 saves in his final game as a Pioneer. Wisconsin jumped to a 2-0 lead on goals from Davies and Jamie McBain before Jackson put the Pioneers on the scoreboard at 16:40 of the second stanza. Wisconsin outscored Denver 4-1 in the final stanza and rode the rowdy home crowd to its first NCAA tournament win since claiming the national title in 2006. Denver outshot the Badgers 12-7 in the opening stanza, but hit four pipes through two periods and was stymied all night by the stellar goaltending of Connelly. After Jackson’s goal made it 2-1, Cody Goloubef put Wisconsin up 3-1 and John Mitchell made it 4-1 with a breakaway tally at 10:19. May’s wrist shot from the high slot made it 4-2, but Davies’ second goal of the night iced the win at 14:38. Davis Drewiske added the final goal with empty-netter at 17:14. DU outshot UW 32-26 and went 1-for-6 on the power play.
FINAL FIVE RECAP
Denver claimed its league-leading 15th WCHA playoff championship with victories over North Dakota (3-1) and Minnesota (2-1) at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn. DU advanced to the Final Five after sweeping Minnesota Duluth (6-3, 1-0) in the first round of the WCHA playoffs. Tom May tallied his second career game-winning goal and Peter Mannino (34 saves) held Minnesota to one goal for the fifth time this season. Tyler Bozak also scored for DU and Ryan Flynn tallied the lone goal for Minnesota. The Golden Gophers outshot the Pioneers, 35-34, but Mannino stopped all 14 shots in the third period to help DU to its third WCHA playoff title in seven years. Anthony Maiani tallied the game-winning goal and Mannino stopped 32 shots in DU’s 3-1 win over UND. Rhett Rakhshani (power play) and Matt Glasser (empty-netter) also scored for DU, who went 1-for-4 on the power play and were outshot 33-30. Chris Butler joined Mannino and May on the all-tournament team.
PIONEERS CLAIM 13TH WELLS FARGO DENVER CUP CHAMPIONSHIP
The Pioneers defeated Sacred Heart (5-0) and Dartmouth (5-3) to claim their 13th Wells Fargo Denver Cup in 16 years. Peter Mannino posted his record-tying 13th career shutout to highlight the 5-0 win over Sacred Heart, while five different Pioneers scored in the championship win over Dartmouth. Tournament MVP Brock Trotter was joined on the all-tournament team by Chris Butler, Andrew Thomas and Mannino.
NCAA SKILLS CHALLENGE
Seniors Andrew Thomas and Peter Mannino helped the West squad to 13-6 win over the East at the NCAA Frozen Four Skills Challenge at Pepsi Center. Thomas claimed the accuracy shooting contest by winning a playoff against the East’s Luke Flicek (Army). Thomas hit 3-of-4 shots in a playoff after going 4-of-8 in the opening round. Thomas also clocked a time of 4.55 seconds in the fastest skater competition, while Mannino stopped 7-of-8 rapid fire shots and 3-of-3 penalty shots. Denver head coach George Gwozdecky and former DU assistant coach and current Miami head coach Enrico Blasi served as co-coaches for the West. Former DU assistant and current RPI head coach Seth Appert was one of two coaches for the East.
TEAM NOTES
DU started the season 17-4 and posted a season-best seven-game winning streak from Dec. 7-Jan. 11.
The Pioneers limited opponents to two goals or less in 23 of 26 wins and three or more in 13 of 14 losses.
DU freshman and sophomores accounted for 84% of the team’s scoring and 70% of the team’s point total.
PLAYER NOTES
Junior defenseman Chris Butler was named to the RBK/AHCA West All-America second team, becoming DU’s 34th hockey All-American.
Senior goaltender Peter Mannino set the all-time shutouts mark at 15 with six shutouts this season.
Freshman forward Tyler Bozak (18-16--34) became the second consecutive freshman and third since 1986-87 to lead the team in scoring.
Redshirt sophomore Brock Trotter (13-18--31) left the team after signing a professional contract with the Montreal Canadiens Feb. 7.
Butler became the seventh Pioneer underclassman to leave the program early after signing a professional contract with the Buffalo Sabres April 14.
IN THE POLLS
Denver finished No. 9 in the final USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine national poll. DU was ranked in the top 13 in both national polls the entire season. The Pioneers finished No. 15 last season.
M-V-PETE!, M-V-PETE!, M-V-PETE!
All-WCHA third team goaltender Peter Mannino was DU’s most valuable player this season. Mannino led the Pioneers with a 25-14-1 record, 2.27 GAA and .917 Sv%. Mannino started 40 of 41 games as DU’s first No. 1 goaltender since Adam Berkhoel in 2003-04. Mannino allowed two goals or less in 22 of DU’s 26 wins this season, including six shutouts. Mannino finished tied for first nationally in shutouts, sixth in minutes (2,301:49), ninth in winning percentage (.638), 20th in goals against average and 24th in saves percentage. He was second in the WCHA in minutes, third in winning percentage, and seventh in goals against average and saves percentage. Mannino was a four-time Red Baron WCHA Defensive Player of the Week (Oct. 16, Nov. 6, Nov. 20, Feb. 12) honoree and finalist for Lowes Senior CLASS Award for accomplishments on and off the ice. Mannino ranks first all-time at Denver in shutouts (15), second in saves percentage (.917), and third in wins (63) and goals against average (2.35). Mannino tied Stephen Wagner for first place on DU’s single-season games played list with his 40th start against Wisconsin. He finished third in single-season shutouts, fourth in saves percentage, tied for fourth in goals against average and tied for seventh in wins.
THE CAPTAIN AND THE BUTLER DID IT
Senior captain Andrew Thomas (1-7--8) and junior Chris Butler (3-14--17) anchored DU’s blueline. Thomas (+14) and Butler (+9) ranked first and fourth, respectively, on the team in plus/minus. Thomas led the team in penalties (32) and was third in penalty minutes (64), while ranking eighth on DU’s all-time penalty minutes list with 278. Eleven of Butler’s 17 points came on the power play. Junior Patrick Mullen (4-18--22) played on the blueline in 34 of 40 games this season and set career-highs in points and assists, while scoring seven of his 22 points as a forward.
BOZAK TAKES OVER OFFENSIVE REIGNS
All-WCHA third team and All-WCHA rookie team member Tyler Bozak emerged as DU’s top offensive player. The four-time Red Baron WCHA Rookie of the Week honoree (Nov. 6, Dec. 18, Jan. 2 and Feb. 12) was third among WCHA rookie scorers and 10th in overall scoring. Bozak finished second nationally with five shorthanded goals, including three against Minnesota. He earned national rookie of the month honors for December. Bozak had three game-winning goals and scored points in 24 of 41 games.
MAIANI LEADS TEAM WITH FOUR GWGs
Freshman Anthony Maiani led Denver with four game-winning goals, including two in the WCHA playoffs. Three other Pioneers, including Rhett Rakhshani and Tyler Ruegsegger, netted three game-winning goals each. Tom May, Chris Butler and Dustin Jackson contributed two game-winners apiece. Freshmen and sophomores scored 21 of the team’s 26 game-winning goals.
POWER-PLAY FINISHES AT 14.1%
DU tallied at least one power-play goal in 24 of 41 games and finished 29-for-205 (14.1%) with the man-advantage. The Pioneers were fifth in the WCHA on the power play and No. 38 nationally. Rhett Rakhshani led DU with eight power play goals, while Tyler Ruegsegger was second with five.
PK TOPS IN WCHA
The Pioneers finished first in the WCHA and second nationally on the penalty kill at 88.8% (167-for-188). DU was 18-5-1 when holding opponents without a power-play goal and 8-9 when allowing one or more power-play goals.
DEFENSE WINS GAMES
The Pioneers were 23-1-1 when limiting opponents to two goals or less. The Pioneers tallied six shuouts and held opponents to one goal in 11 games. The Pioneers were 18-4 in 2006-07 when holding opponents to two goals or less.
LARGEST FRESHMEN CLASS CONTRIBUTED
Head coach George Gwozdecky’s largest freshmen class of 13 student-athletes made immediate contributions this season. In addition to Tyler Bozak and Kyle Ostrow (10-13--23), Jesse Martin (7-8--15), Anthony Maiani (7-8--15), Dustin Jackson (5-8--13) and Marc Cheverie (1-0, 1.70 GAA, .925 Sv%) made strong contributions.
FIRST GOAL = BIG GOAL
The Pioneers tallied the first goal in 22 of 41 games. DU was 18-3-1 when scoring first this season. Rhett Rakhshani scored DU’s first goal a team-leading five times.
SECOND PERIOD MAGIC
The Pioneers were 24-1-1 when leading after two periods, while owning a WCHA-leading +18 scoring differential margin in the middle stanza. DU also owned scoring differential margins in the first period (+2) and third period (+2).
DU VS. RANKED TEAMS
The Pioneers were 16-10-1 against ranked teams this season. DU finished last season with a 9-8-1 record against ranked teams and were 7-8-2 against ranked opponents in 2005-06.
DU ON BIG ICE, THAT’S NICE
The Pioneers were 6-5 on Olympic-sized ice sheets, including a two-game sweep at Minnesota.
TROTTING HIS WAY TO THE NHL
Redshirt sophomore Brock Trotter (13-18--31) left DU after signing a pro contract with the Montreal Canadiens Feb. 7. Trotter was DU’s current career scoring leader with 32-44--76 in 69 games. He scored the fastest goal in DU history just six seconds into DU’s 3-1 win over Maine Oct. 13. Last season, Trotter became the first DU freshman to lead the team in scoring since Dave Shields in 1986-87. He tallied five points in 2005-06 before a season-ending Achilles tendon injury.
RYDER HAS SEASON-ENDING SURGERY
Freshman defenseman John Ryder had season-ending surgery on his right hand Jan. 24. Ryder injured his hand during the Wells Fargo Denver Cup and tallied one goal in nine games.
WORLD JUNIORS RECAP
DU sophomore forwards Rhett Rakhshani and Tyler Ruegsegger helped Team USA to a fourth-place finish at the 2008 IIHF World Junior Championship in the Czech Republic. Team USA posted a 4-0 record during the preliminary round, but dropped a 4-1 decision to Canada and 4-2 loss to Russia in the medal rounds. Ruegsegger, who served as an alternate captain, and Rakhshani each tallied 2-2--4 in the tournament.
BOZAK NETS NATIONAL ROOKIE HONORS
Tyler Bozak, who twice earned WCHA Rookie of the Week honors and tallied 10 scoring points, was named the HCA National Division I Rookie of the Month for December. Bozak helped the Pioneers to a 6-1 record in December with a three-goal, seven-assist month.
COLORADO FLAVOR
The 2007-08 DU roster sported seven Coloradans. Zach Blom (Englewood), Jon Cook (Denver), Stephen Cunningham (Boulder), Chris Nutini (Centennial), Tyler Ruegsegger (Lakewood), John Ryder (Colorado Springs) and J.P. Testwuide (Vail) all hail from the Centennial State.
OH BROTHER
Freshman defenseman Jon Cook is the brother of former Pioneer Steven Cook (2005-07). Their sister, Dominique, is married to former Pioneer and Avalanche player Mark Rycroft.
NHL DRAFT PICKS
The Pioneers boasted eight NHL Draft picks on this year’s roster. DU had one third round pick (Brian Gifford), three fourth round picks (Chris Butler, Andrew Thomas and Rhett Rakhshani), one sixth round pick (Tyler Ruegsegger) and three seventh round picks (Marc Cheverie, Jesse Martin and Matt Glasser).
NHL PIONEERS
Four former DU Pioneers are currently playing in the National Hockey League. Matt Carle (San Jose), Wade Dubielewicz (New York Islanders), Matt Pettinger (Vancouver) and Paul Stastny (Colorado) are former DU players playing in hockey’s premier professional league. Kevin Doell (Atlanta) made his NHL debut in 2008 and Connor James played in 13 games for Pittsburgh.
AHL PIONEERS
DU has 12 former players competing in the American Hockey League. Adam Berkhoel (Grand Rapids), Ryan Caldwell (San Antonio), J.D. Corbin (Lake Erie), Kevin Doell (Chicago), Gabe Gauthier (Manchester), Connor James (Wilkes-Barre), Aaron MacKenzie (Peoria), Gavin Morgan (Rockford), Mark Rycroft (Syracuse), Brett Skinner (Providence), Brock Trotter (Hamilton) and Kevin Ulanski (Milwaukee) are all currently in the AHL. Ryan Dingle (Augusta), Glenn Fisher (Stockton), Luke Fulghum (Elmira), Geoff Paukovich (Stockton) and Adrian Veideman (Augusta) are competing in the East Coast Hockey League.
HALL OF FAME SON
Junior forward Patrick Mullen is the son of Hockey Hall of Famer Joe Mullen. Patrick’s dad tallied 1,063 points in 16 NHL seasons and helped the Calgary Flames (1989) and Pittsburgh Penguins (1991 and 1992) to Stanley Cup championships.
USHL CONNECTION
The DU roster had 11 players that honed their skills in the United States Hockey League. Chris Butler (Sioux City), Brian Gifford (Indiana), Anthony Maiani (Sioux City), Peter Mannino (Tri-City), Jesse Martin (Tri-City), Tom May (Des Moines), Patrick Mullen (Sioux Falls), John Ryder (Ohio), J.P. Testwuide (Waterloo), Andrew Thomas (Waterloo) and Brock Trotter (Lincoln) joined DU from the USHL. DU’s roster also has six players from the British Columbia Hockey League and five from the North American Hockey League.
MAGNESS MAGIC
DU has sold out 76 consecutive regular season games at Magness Arena (6,026). The streak started with a sellout crowd on Oct. 22, 2004, when the Pioneers raised their sixth NCAA National Championship banner prior to puck drop against St. Cloud State. The Pioneers averaged 6,057 fans this season in 19 home dates.
CHAMPIONSHIP HOCKEY
The Pioneers are tied for second in NCAA Division I men’s ice hockey with seven NCAA National Championships. DU captured national championships in 1958, 1960, 1961, 1968, 1969, 2004 and 2005.
