DENVER – The championship rings for the University of Denver hockey team's 2024 NCAA title have been handed out, and the Pioneers have turned their attention to adding to their collection of championships in 2024-25. Well, almost.
 
The only real thing left to celebrate from the Pios' title run a year ago is raising the banner to the rafters of Magness Arena on Saturday, Oct. 19 during homecoming weekend against Northeastern. For 18 of Denver's 25 players, that moment will crown their NCAA-record performance from April. For the seven newcomers, it should continue to add to their internal hunger to earn their own hardware this season.
 
That craving was on display on the Pioneers' first day of 2024 training camp on Monday at Magness Arena.
 
"I thought it was really competitive, an intense first day," said senior forward Jack Devine, who owns two championships at DU from 2022 and 2024. "I thought some guys were shaking the rust off, but overall I really liked the compete level out there. I really thought we pushed each other."
 
Denver will have approximately four weeks and 17 practices to prepare for its season-opening series on Oct. 5-6 at Alaska Anchorage. That's not a lot of time in comparison to some of their counterparts across the country.
 
Some NCAA squads have been able to practice as a group since mid-August, but the Pioneers weren't able to hold coach-led sessions until the first day of school, which was Monday due to DU's academic quarter system.
 
That quarter structure ultimately gives the Pioneers a benefit with large breaks from classes in November and December and in March during tournament time. In the present however, Denver's schedule means every practice and drill over the next several weeks is of the utmost importance for the players to be fully ready for that first puck drop.
 
"I know for other teams, they might have been on the ice a little earlier than us. I know for us, once we get on the ice, we know it's super-fast paced," Devine said. "I think the nice thing is that the first game is within reach, so there is no real lackadaisicalness out there and people are just ready to go."
 
Devine is in his fourth training camp at DU and knows what to anticipate in the on-ice sessions during the sprint to the opener. As one of the veterans of the group, he is also expected to lead by example to help get the newcomers up to speed quickly with the team's on-ice systems.
 
There will be no easing into the season, as the Pioneers will have a target on themselves as the defending champs once the main campaign begins.
 
"You want high intensity reps, reps that almost represent a game-like feel," Devine said of the year's early practices. "So as much as you are able to put pressure on one another and push your teammates, you know that is really going to pay off when we get to Alaska for game 1."
 
Pushing each other in practices in September will pay dividends come October and November and hopefully for a long postseason run in March and April.
 

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