DENVER - The seven-time NCAA champion University of Denver hockey team will open its 2009-10 season at Vermont before hosting 2010 NCAA champion Boston College and NCAA runner-up Wisconsin, two-time National Coach of the Year George Gwozdecky announced today.

DU will play 22 home games, including two exhibition contests, and 12 games against 2010 NCAA Tournament participants. The Pioneers will battle in-state rival Colorado College four times and play two-game series' against new WCHA members Bemidji State and Nebraska-Omaha.

"The 2010-11 schedule presents a great challenge for our hockey team, especially the first two months of the season," Gwozdecky said. "We play four teams during the first month that participated in the NCAA Tournament, including two (Boston College and Wisconsin) that played in the championship game. We will have a lot of new players in the program, so it will be important for us to have a good start. We also look forward to another competitive WCHA schedule and creating new league rivalries with Bemidji State and Nebraska Omaha."

DU's 20-game home regular-season schedule is highlighted by two-game series' against Boston College (Oct. 15-16), Wisconsin (Oct. 22-23) and St. Cloud State (March 4-5), and two games against Colorado College (Nov. 5 & Feb. 5).

The Pioneers host Lake Superior State (CCHA) and Air Force (Atlantic Hockey) in a showcase format during the 19^th Annual Denver Cup Classic on Nov. 26-27. In addition, DU hosts Minnesota State (Nov. 12-13), Bemidji State (Nov. 19-20), Northern Michigan (Dec. 31-Jan. 1), Alaska Anchorage (Jan. 21-22) and Michigan Tech (Feb. 18-19).

DU plays at Vermont (Oct. 8-9), North Dakota (Oct. 29-30), Colorado College (Nov. 6 & Feb. 4), Minnesota Duluth (Dec. 3-4), Alaska Anchorage (Dec. 10-11), Minnesota State (Jan. 14-15), Minnesota (Feb. 11-12) and Nebraska Omaha (Feb. 25-26).

Last season, DU captured its 12^th WCHA regular-season title and participated in its 21st NCAA Tournament with a 27-10-4 record. Forwards Anthony Maiani (Shelby Township, Mich.), Kyle Ostrow (Calgary, Alberta) and Jesse Martin (Edmonton, Alberta), and defensemen Matt Donovan (Edmond, Ok.) and Chris Nutini (Centennial) highlight the list of 18 returning letterwinners. Forwards Beau Bennett (Gardena, Calif.), Nick Shore (Denver) and Jason Zucker (Las Vegas), defenseman David Makowski (Wildwood, Mo.) and goaltender Sam Brittain (Calgary, Alberta) lead the list of newcomers.

Season tickets for the 2010-11 season go on sale Friday, June 25 at 10 a.m. Ticket packages begin at $192. Individual game tickets go on sale Saturday, Sept. 4 at 10 a.m., with individual ticket prices ranging from $18-$35. Group tickets go on sale on Monday, Aug. 2. Please contact Adam Sizemore at (303) 871-2389 for group ticket prices.

For additional ticket information, please visit www.DenverPioneers.com or call the Daniel L. Ritchie Center North Box Office at (303) 871-GOAL.

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