Photo by: University of Denver Athletics
Pioneer Greats Return Home
8/25/2026 6:00:00 PM | Ice Hockey
Denver hockey alums Matt Carle and Paul Stastny were among the former players that skated in the Back to Hockey Alumni Faceoff against their counterparts from the Colorado Avalanche
It had been so long since Hobey Baker Award winner and two-time national champion Matt Carle had last played at Magness Arena that he quipped recently that the scene for the Back to Hockey Alumni Game might be a bit different than the previous time he laced up his skates with the Pioneers.
"I was joking with somebody the other day that the ice might be a little darker out there because there's a lot more banners hanging from the rafters since the last time I played," Carle said. "It's always fun to come back and see the game and see the rink, and it brings back a lot of memories, for sure."
Carle was among 22 former University of Denver hockey players that laced up the skates once again against alumni from the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday at the second annual Alumni Faceoff on the Pioneers' home ice.
The event raised money for a good cause as a portion of the proceeds from the event went to local and youth hockey organizations supported by the Avalanche Alumni Association. It also allowed alumni on both sides to reminisce on their times together as players.
That is especially true for Carle and Pioneers, who have had a lot to celebrate over the last several seasons. With his older brother, David, leading the squad as the head coach, Denver has won three national titles and has reached four Frozen Fours in the last five years.
Matt Carle had his own success as a player in crimson and gold, which included helping DU end a 35-year drought and bring back-to-back championships to campus in 2004 and 2005 before earning the program's first Hobey Baker Award in 2006.
The Pioneer and Avalanche former teammates might not see each other in-person for years at a time, but when they got back together this past weekend, it's like they've returned to their college selves.
"I feel like we've done a really good job, and I give a lot of credit to Adrian Veideman and everyone on the alumni association to try and keep us close," Carle said. "We've had some anniversaries with the 75th and 70th anniversary, and some of us from that age are done playing hockey and our kids are a little bit older; it makes it easier to come back.
"Nothing's changed between that group, which is awesome, and it's kind of to be expected. Jokes are the same, guys are still getting crap for the same stuff when we were back in school. It is fun to relive those memories and have that. It's been fun to come back."
That camaraderie with former teammates was something that Paul Stastny was looking forward to with the game and weekend, which culminated with DU's annual Alumni and Friends Golf Tournament on Monday.
"I'm excited to see some of the guys that I haven't seen in a long time," Stastny said. "A lot of times you keep in contact with them, but you just haven't seen them, and now they've got kids the same age as my kids. Who knows, maybe another generation comes to DU, keep it within the family. I'm extremely grateful and excited to be out here with these guys and do anything to help out different programs and organizations that helped me become who I am."
After playing for the Pioneers from 2004-2006, Stastny started his NHL career across town with the Avalanche and went on to also play with the St. Louis Blues, Winnipeg Jets, Vegas Golden Knights and Carolina Hurricanes in his 17-year stint in the league.
He currently lives in the St. Louis area and while he doesn't get to Denver as often as he used to, he credits a lot to who he became as a player and person to his time on Asbury Avenue.
"I have nothing but good memories about Denver," Stastny said. "Everything I've ever gotten is because of hockey. If I didn't play for DU, I would never probably play for the Avs, I probably would have never met my wife. Kind of like that butterfly effect; it all started with going here."
Stastny was one of four former players on Sunday night that had played for both the Pioneers and Avalanche in their career, joining Joe Colborne (coach), Aaron Mackenzie and Mark Rycroft.
There was a trade was announced in the middle of the second period, as Rycroft, who began the game with the Avalanche, switched for a Denver jersey while Stastny put on a burgundy and blue sweater to finish the contest.
While the Avalanche alums won the contest by a 9-3 score, the night was still a featured spectacle of the best hockey players that have called the city and state home.
More memories with both organizations could be made this season. The Avalanche is a constant threat for the Stanley Cup while the Pioneers aims to continue their current dynasty run with a back-to-back titles for the first time since Carle did it as a player.
For Carle, Stastny and the rest of the Pioneer alumni, they will be keeping close tabs to what the current squad does this year as DU aims to continue to make history.
"I love every minute of it," said Carle, who currently lives in Minnesota. "Our family every weekend, we're watching DU games. I was able to be in Vegas (for 2026) and went to Chicago (for 2017). Wasn't able to make to Boston (in 2022), and obviously we were in St. Paul in '24. We're trying to live vicariously and keep that DU pipeline going… It's been fun watching David and the success the program has had."
TICKETS: Five-game mini plans and group tickets for the DU hockey's championship defense campaign in 2026-27 are on sale now. Click here for more information.
"I was joking with somebody the other day that the ice might be a little darker out there because there's a lot more banners hanging from the rafters since the last time I played," Carle said. "It's always fun to come back and see the game and see the rink, and it brings back a lot of memories, for sure."
Carle was among 22 former University of Denver hockey players that laced up the skates once again against alumni from the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday at the second annual Alumni Faceoff on the Pioneers' home ice.
The event raised money for a good cause as a portion of the proceeds from the event went to local and youth hockey organizations supported by the Avalanche Alumni Association. It also allowed alumni on both sides to reminisce on their times together as players.
That is especially true for Carle and Pioneers, who have had a lot to celebrate over the last several seasons. With his older brother, David, leading the squad as the head coach, Denver has won three national titles and has reached four Frozen Fours in the last five years.
Matt Carle had his own success as a player in crimson and gold, which included helping DU end a 35-year drought and bring back-to-back championships to campus in 2004 and 2005 before earning the program's first Hobey Baker Award in 2006.
The Pioneer and Avalanche former teammates might not see each other in-person for years at a time, but when they got back together this past weekend, it's like they've returned to their college selves.
"I feel like we've done a really good job, and I give a lot of credit to Adrian Veideman and everyone on the alumni association to try and keep us close," Carle said. "We've had some anniversaries with the 75th and 70th anniversary, and some of us from that age are done playing hockey and our kids are a little bit older; it makes it easier to come back.
"Nothing's changed between that group, which is awesome, and it's kind of to be expected. Jokes are the same, guys are still getting crap for the same stuff when we were back in school. It is fun to relive those memories and have that. It's been fun to come back."
That camaraderie with former teammates was something that Paul Stastny was looking forward to with the game and weekend, which culminated with DU's annual Alumni and Friends Golf Tournament on Monday.
"I'm excited to see some of the guys that I haven't seen in a long time," Stastny said. "A lot of times you keep in contact with them, but you just haven't seen them, and now they've got kids the same age as my kids. Who knows, maybe another generation comes to DU, keep it within the family. I'm extremely grateful and excited to be out here with these guys and do anything to help out different programs and organizations that helped me become who I am."
After playing for the Pioneers from 2004-2006, Stastny started his NHL career across town with the Avalanche and went on to also play with the St. Louis Blues, Winnipeg Jets, Vegas Golden Knights and Carolina Hurricanes in his 17-year stint in the league.
He currently lives in the St. Louis area and while he doesn't get to Denver as often as he used to, he credits a lot to who he became as a player and person to his time on Asbury Avenue.
"I have nothing but good memories about Denver," Stastny said. "Everything I've ever gotten is because of hockey. If I didn't play for DU, I would never probably play for the Avs, I probably would have never met my wife. Kind of like that butterfly effect; it all started with going here."
Stastny was one of four former players on Sunday night that had played for both the Pioneers and Avalanche in their career, joining Joe Colborne (coach), Aaron Mackenzie and Mark Rycroft.
There was a trade was announced in the middle of the second period, as Rycroft, who began the game with the Avalanche, switched for a Denver jersey while Stastny put on a burgundy and blue sweater to finish the contest.
While the Avalanche alums won the contest by a 9-3 score, the night was still a featured spectacle of the best hockey players that have called the city and state home.
More memories with both organizations could be made this season. The Avalanche is a constant threat for the Stanley Cup while the Pioneers aims to continue their current dynasty run with a back-to-back titles for the first time since Carle did it as a player.
For Carle, Stastny and the rest of the Pioneer alumni, they will be keeping close tabs to what the current squad does this year as DU aims to continue to make history.
"I love every minute of it," said Carle, who currently lives in Minnesota. "Our family every weekend, we're watching DU games. I was able to be in Vegas (for 2026) and went to Chicago (for 2017). Wasn't able to make to Boston (in 2022), and obviously we were in St. Paul in '24. We're trying to live vicariously and keep that DU pipeline going… It's been fun watching David and the success the program has had."
TICKETS: Five-game mini plans and group tickets for the DU hockey's championship defense campaign in 2026-27 are on sale now. Click here for more information.
DENVER'S HOME FOR COLLEGE SPORTS
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
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
Tuesday, June 30
Tuesday, June 30
Tuesday, June 30
Tuesday, April 14
