March 29, 2016 Head University of Denver Men's Hockey Coach Jim Montgomery announced today that Pioneers great Gerry Powers has been named the recipient of the 2016 Daniel Ritchie Spirit Award, an award which honors an alumnus or friend of Denver Hockey who embodies DU Chancellor Emeritus Daniel Ritchie's spirit of giving back to the school - not only financially, but with time and effort. Powers, who served as DU's starting goaltender from 1966-69, will receive the award at the 60th Annual Denver Hockey Banquet, set to be staged at the DU Cable Center on Friday, April 15.
"Gerry had a tremendous collegiate career and has been a great ambassador for Denver Hockey his entire life," says Montgomery. "He's had some health issues lately that he's been battling through like the champion that he is and we're thrilled that he'll be able to attend this year's banquet to receive this well-deserved honor in person and be recognized for his lifelong contribution to our program."
A two-time NCAA champion (1968 & 1969) Powers shares the NCAA record (tied) for most career wins at the Frozen Four (4). The Brampton, Ontario native recorded the first shutout in NCAA Championship Game history on Mar. 17, 1968, backstopping Denver to a 4-0 win over North Dakota. He was subsequently named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player and helped DU win its fifth national title the following year, earning First Team All-Frozen Four honors. Powers ranks second in Pioneers history in both career victories (76) and career shutouts (13). He was inducted into the DU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2010.
After graduating from the University of Denver with a B.S. in Marketing and Business, Powers helped the Galt Hornets (OHA Sr.) win an Allan Cup Championship in 1971 prior to founding his own advertising company. He later became a highly-successful real estate broker in Florida, a career that ultimately led him back to Colorado where he currently resides.
More information on the 2016 Denver Hockey Awards Banquet can be obtained by calling Mellissa Lewis at (303) 871-3397. Click HERE to register and obtain tickets to this special evening online.
