Photo by: Tyler Schank/NCAA Photos
Denver Hockey 2026 Awards Banquet Set for May 12
4/23/2026 2:00:00 PM | Ice Hockey
Pioneers look back at their championship-winning campaign
DENVER – The University of Denver hockey program will continue its celebration of its 11th national championship with its 69th annual awards banquet on the floor of Magness Arena on Tuesday, May 12.
The celebration begins at 6 p.m. MT. Click here to register now and get tickets. Registration ends Thursday, May 7 at 4 p.m. MDT.
The 2024-26 Hockey Awards Banquet caps off a season that saw the Pioneers win the 2026 NCAA Championship, their third national title in five years and fourth in the past nine Frozen Fours. Denver has reached college hockey's championship weekend in now seven of the last 10 full seasons, and the Pioneers are the first program to win three times in a five-year period since Boston College from 2008-2012.
Beverages and heavy hors d'oeuvres will be served throughout the evening, which also features a silent auction, autographed hockey sticks for kids and DU players and coaches in attendance. New this year is an online silent auction for fans to place bids from anywhere. The online auction is live and closes the evening of May 12.
The Pioneers will also recognize their senior class and announce this year's recipients of their team awards: Dr. Ken Bredesen Most Sportsmanlike Player, Dr. Art Mason Top Scholar-Athlete, Dr. Ralph Verploeg Most Inspirational Player Award, Barry Sharp Freshman of the Year Award, Bob Martin Community Service Award, Murray Armstrong Most Improved Player Award, Dallas Gaume Offensive Player Award, Keith Magnuson Best Defensive Player Award, Bill Masterton MVP Award and Daniel Ritchie Spirit Award.
Among the speakers include Richard and Kitzia Goodman Head Hockey Coach David Carle and Denver's 2025-26 senior class that features captain Kent Anderson and alternate captains Rieger Lorenz and Samu Salminen. The 2026 class ranks second all-time with 122 victories, as the group won four Gold Pans over rival Colorado College, two NCHC Frozen Faceoff titles, the 2022-23 Penrose Cup, made three straight trips to the NCAA Frozen Four (2024-2026) and raised the 2024 and 2026 national championship trophies.
The celebration begins at 6 p.m. MT. Click here to register now and get tickets. Registration ends Thursday, May 7 at 4 p.m. MDT.
The 2024-26 Hockey Awards Banquet caps off a season that saw the Pioneers win the 2026 NCAA Championship, their third national title in five years and fourth in the past nine Frozen Fours. Denver has reached college hockey's championship weekend in now seven of the last 10 full seasons, and the Pioneers are the first program to win three times in a five-year period since Boston College from 2008-2012.
Beverages and heavy hors d'oeuvres will be served throughout the evening, which also features a silent auction, autographed hockey sticks for kids and DU players and coaches in attendance. New this year is an online silent auction for fans to place bids from anywhere. The online auction is live and closes the evening of May 12.
The Pioneers will also recognize their senior class and announce this year's recipients of their team awards: Dr. Ken Bredesen Most Sportsmanlike Player, Dr. Art Mason Top Scholar-Athlete, Dr. Ralph Verploeg Most Inspirational Player Award, Barry Sharp Freshman of the Year Award, Bob Martin Community Service Award, Murray Armstrong Most Improved Player Award, Dallas Gaume Offensive Player Award, Keith Magnuson Best Defensive Player Award, Bill Masterton MVP Award and Daniel Ritchie Spirit Award.
Among the speakers include Richard and Kitzia Goodman Head Hockey Coach David Carle and Denver's 2025-26 senior class that features captain Kent Anderson and alternate captains Rieger Lorenz and Samu Salminen. The 2026 class ranks second all-time with 122 victories, as the group won four Gold Pans over rival Colorado College, two NCHC Frozen Faceoff titles, the 2022-23 Penrose Cup, made three straight trips to the NCAA Frozen Four (2024-2026) and raised the 2024 and 2026 national championship trophies.
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Visit DenverPioneers.com for complete coverage of all 18 of DU's NCAA Division I sports
Like Denver Pioneers and Denver Hockey on Facebook
Follow @DU_Pioneers and @DU_Hockey on X
Follow @DenverPioneers and @DU_Hockey on Instagram
Players Mentioned
Tuesday, June 30
Tuesday, June 30
Tuesday, June 30
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