Junior defenseman Boston Buckberger has been an influential player on the Denver Pioneers hockey team since helping DU take home its NCAA-record 10th national championship title as a freshman in 2023-24. He was named an alternate captain prior to this season.
 
The Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, native skated in each of the first 41 games in 2024-25 before suffering a season-ending upper-body injury on March 22 versus Western Michigan in the NCHC Championship Game. Before that, he recorded career bests with nine goals and 21 assists to finish with 30 points. He ranked in the top 10 in each of the three scoring categories on the team and was third among Denver defensemen in those areas as well.
 
Buckberger was the only Denver freshman to appear in all 44 games in 2023-24, a campaign that was capped off by that national title. He ranked fourth among the team blueliners with 27 points (five goals, 22 assists) and finished with a 32-plus rating, third-highest amongst the squad.
 
Throughout his time as a Pioneer, he earned NCHC Rookie of the Month honors (October 2023), has been named NCHC Defenseman of the Week twice and was recognized on the NCAA Northeast Regional All-tournament Team in 2024. Academically, he was named the recipient of the 2025 NCAA Elite 90 Award and has been named a National All-American Scholar each year. He was also named to the CSC Academic All-District Team and DU's Dr. Art Maston Top Scholar-Athlete Award for the 2024-25 season.
 
Before coming to Denver, Buckberger skated with the Lincoln Stars of the United States Hockey League in the 2022-23 season as an alternate captain. He was also named a USHL Third-Team All-Star with Lincoln after producing 45 points (nine goals, 36 assists) in 62 games.
 
Boston is an accounting major and hopes to play hockey as long as he is able to.
 
Why did you choose the University of Denver?
 
"I chose the University of Denver for the successful hockey program and for the first-class education that the school provides. Denver is a city with everything to do, which made it such an easy pick to play college hockey here and I can now call it home."
 
How did you get involved in hockey and what is your earliest memory of ice skating?
 
"I got involved because my dad played professionally and put my twin and I in skates when we were 3 years old. My parents built an outdoor rink in our backyard, so this is where I took my first strides and I haven't looked back since."
 
What are some of your favorite activities to do when you're not at the rink?
 
"I love to hang out with my teammates and new people I've met. I enjoy playing poker, watching hockey, football, golf, pretty much all sports. I also enjoy playing other sports leisurely in my free time."
 
What is your plans for the future/after college?
 
"My plan is to play professional hockey as long as I can after I get my degree at DU."
 
If you weren't playing hockey, what sport would you play?
 
"I would be a baseball player. I like that it's a team-oriented game, and I played for about 12 years of my life."
 
What kind of music do you like?          
 
"I love country music. I mostly listen to that, but I will listen to more upbeat music pregame."
 
What is your go-to pre-game meal?
 
"I usually have turkey, rice and veggies or salad pregame."
 
Do you have a favorite quote or mantra?
 
"'HWPO,' which stands for Hard Work Pays Off. I saw it from Matt Fraser, who is a world champion CrossFit athlete that I really admire."
 
What is your TV show?
 
"Formula 1: Drive to Survive on Netflix."
 
Do you have a pre-game routine?
 
"I always get a nap in, eat a similar pre-game meal, get to the rink about three hours before. Then at the rink I do the same stretch routine and warmup, and I always put 22 puck marks on my tape job.
 
What are some of your favorite spots in Colorado and the Denver area?
 
"I really like the downtown scene with lots of places to eat and see entertainment. Especially Coors Field to watch the Rockies play."
 
Do you have any volunteer experiences that are special to you?
 
"I have volunteered with minor baseball and hockey events in my area in Saskatoon, which is something I take pride in—to give back to the community that I was raised in."
 
What other sports have you participated in?
 
"I played competitive baseball. I also did soccer, gymnastics, golf and flag football all leisurely."
 
What is something that other people might not know about you?
 
"I have a twin brother that also plays hockey. Also, I had never been to Boston until we played at BC my freshman season."
 
Sophie Hamill contributed to this story.