University of Denver men's hockey coach Jim Montgomery announced today that longtime Winnipeg Jets (NHL) scout Tavis MacMillan will be joining the Pioneers as an assistant coach. MacMillan replaces Joe Clark, who recently resigned his post due to family obligations.

"We're very excited to be adding Tavis to our staff," says Montgomery. "He's an intelligent, hard-working coach with an excellent reputation throughout the hockey community. He's exhibited elite-level recruiting, coaching and relationship-building skills throughout his career and we're looking forward to having him play a big role in our program moving forward."

A native of Milk River, Alberta, MacMillan has been on Winnipeg/Atlanta's scouting staff since the 2007-08 NHL season. Prior to joining the Jets/Thrashers franchise, he spent 10 years on the coaching staff of the Alaska-Fairbanks Nanooks (WCHA), including three seasons as head coach (2004-07). MacMillan's uncle John won two national titles (1958, 1960) with the Pioneers as a forward prior to embarking upon a decade-long pro career that included stops in the NHL with Detroit and Toronto, with whom he won a pair of Stanley Cups (1962, 1963).

"This is an exciting time for me and for my family," says MacMillan, 44.  "Denver's hockey program has a long tradition of excellence that dates back to my uncle's time as a Pioneer and I'm looking forward to joining Coach Montgomery, Coach (David) Carle and the rest of the staff in the quest to bring an eighth national championship to DU."

As a player, MacMillan spent four seasons with Alaska-Fairbanks (1990-94), recording 192 points (56G-136A) in 135 career NCAA games. He also played briefly in the ECHL with Greensboro Monarchs and served as a player/marketing director with the WCHL's Alaska Gold Kings in 1995-96. He began his coaching career with the Nanooks in 1996-97.

After finishing their 2014-15 campaign with a record of 24-14-2 and advancing to the `Elite Eight' for the first time since 2011, the Pioneers came in at No. 5 on the final edition of both the USCHO.com and USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine poll. Information on season tickets to Denver's 2015-16 campaign can be obtained by calling the Daniel L. Ritchie Center Box Office at (303) 871-2336 or by clicking HERE. Deposits are currently being taken for NEW Season Ticket Holders ONLY. Invoices for current Season Ticket Holders were emailed on May 4.

Denver Hockey Season Ticket Holders and Athletic Department Donors will receive the highest priority to purchase the best tickets to the Pioneers' Feb. 20, 2016 game against the CC Tigers at Coors Field. More information on the `Battle on Blake' can be obtained by clicking HERE.