Not many players have accomplished what Jack Devine did in his four years at the University of Denver.
 
He joined the Pioneers hockey program as one of the youngest players in the country in 2021-22 and finished his collegiate career with two national championships, three Frozen Four appearances, two All-American first-team honors and was recognized as a Hobey Baker Award top-10 finalist in his final two seasons.
 
On the ice, Devine leaves as the highest-scoring player in the modern era of Denver hockey. His 163 points are the most by a Pioneer since Rick Berens had 180 from 1987-1991 and rank 12th overall in the school record book. With 57 goals and 106 assists, the Glencoe, Illinois, native is also one of just 10 players to record at least 50 goals, 100 assists and 150 points in their time in crimson and gold, and his 162 games played are tied for the eighth-most in program history.
 
Devine's many great accomplishments on and off the ice wouldn't have been possible without the support of the ones he loves and the friends he made along the way. They motivated him and shaped him into the person, athlete and student he is today. Always striving to be the best version of himself.
 
"My teammates pushed me every day to get better, and just strive for greatness, especially at this program." Devine said. "Then my family, I want to represent them well. They sacrificed so much to put me in the position I am today."
 
Since starting hockey at a young age, Devine says the sport has influenced the person he has become. It has given him well-nurturing values and set standards for him to reach on the ice and in his personal life.
 
"Hockey has taught me so many valuable life lessons," Devine said. "Hockey continues to teach you teamwork, perseverance, and it's kind of allowed me to get a lot of qualities that I believe represent myself. It's allowed me to get some of my best friendships I've had and build connections with people; deeper than surface level."
 
Devine has done in all at DU, culminating in the two national championships he won with the team.
 
"Those were dreams of mine growing up as a kid, and to win in Boston (in 2022) with my family there, and also be able to do it in Minnesota (in 2024) with my family there was super special," Devine said. "And to do it with two different groups of guys was also surreal—where you can build those bonds not with one team but a second team for the rest of your life."
 
As writer A.A. Milne scribed in The Complete Tales of Winnie-the-Pooh, "How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard."
 
It is a feeling that Devine certainly shares, as his time at Denver will bring back nostalgia of the good times he had with his teammates.
 
"Just the culture of the guys, this super close-knit team, hanging out a lot with each other outside the rink," said Devine of what he'll remember of his time as a Pioneer. "Honestly, you live so close; I lived with four other guys and just living in a house with that many guys, it's pretty awesome. You just always know you're like a two-minute drive, five-minute walk away from each other. You have a good weekend and all the guys get together. That's pretty special, so it's hard to replicate. I just think the jokes you get day-in and day-out in the locker room—it's pretty special."
 
Inspiration comes in many forms for Devine, but his gratitude goes out to his family.
 
"My dad, my granddad, my mom, my sisters; they pushed me," he said. "My mom and dad made so many sacrifices to put me in this position and to have this success I've had both in hockey and life. Yes, I wouldn't be here today without them. And my granddad; he's a little bit older now, so he can't make it to many games, but he is one the hardest working guys. I know he still gets up at 5 a.m. every day, so that's someone I strive to be like."
 
With four years filled with many memories, Devine has accomplished lifelong goals, gained a family within the program and shared these amazing times with the ones he loves the most.
 
Cliché as it may be, Devine's advice for the next generation of student-athletes is to enjoy their time in college because four years goes by fast.
 
"It goes by quick, and it really does," Devine said. "Make sure to do what you enjoy and love. If you don't enjoy your sport or don't love your major, try to change that or pick something different.
 
"I would also say manage your time, it really does help. If you manage your time early on in the week, it allows you to honestly enjoy your time a little more and not feel so overloaded and if you get too stressed, it might affect your relationships. So if you get your stuff done and in a timely manner, that can really positively set up your life and set up your relationships."