Junior forward Ryan Dingle has decided to forgo his final year of eligibility and sign a two-year entry-level contract with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks of the National Hockey League.

“I just think Anaheim is a very successful organization, giving some free agents some chances to play with the big team and I am looking forward to being able to have that same opportunity,” said the Steamboat Springs native.

In his three-year DU career, Dingle finished with 55 goals and 43 assists for 98 points in 121 games. Dingle was also a part of the seventh DU National Championship team in 2004 when he was a freshman. Overall the Pioneers compiled a record of 74-39-9 during Dingle’s career.

The decision came just two weeks after the DU hockey season came to a close after losing in the first round of the WCHA playoffs to Wisconsin.

“It is unbelievable to live out a dream like this. I wanted to play since I was four years old and this is a dream come true,” said Dingle.

The decision is similar to that of Matt Carle, who left for the San Jose Sharks. Carle also decided to forgo his senior year and signed with the NHL club and went on to not only play in the regular season with the big club, but also saw action in the playoffs last season.

Dingle played last Wednesday in his first professional game with the Portland (Maine) Pirates, the minor-league affiliate of the Anaheim Ducks. Dingle recorded an assist in his first game and has since been held pointless but has taken eight shots on goal in his four games with the Pirates.

“It is all in my hands,” he said in an interview. “If I battle hard enough I have the possibility to move up to Anaheim.”

Nonetheless, Dingle is not forgetting about academics and will finish the spring quarter and arrive back in Denver sometime this week to resume classes.

The past two seasons Dingle has led the Pioneers in goals, power-play goals, shorthanded goals, game-winning goals and was named to the All-WCHA third-team. This season he found the back of the net 22 times while accumulating 37 points on the season after scoring 27 goals during the 2005-06 campaign.

“To try to replace what they would contribute as a senior, to try and replace Ryan Dingle as a senior is impossible. I don’t care how good a recruited freshman is he is not going to be able to replace someone of the caliber, experience, strength, leadership and understanding of college hockey like a Ryan Dingle has,” said Head Coach George Gwozdecky.

Speaking of his teammates, Dingle said, “They have been with me and for me. I have been with the guys for three and they are like family. Overall, it wasn’t too hard.” said the forward about telling his DU teammates the decision.

Playing in the professionals will be no easy task for 5-10, 190 pound Dingle, “The players are bigger and faster. Your decision time as a player has to be a little quicker and as long as I can cope with those things I think I will be okay.”

Dingle is now the fourth Pioneer to turn professional early in the past two years, joining Carle, Colorado Avalanche Paul Stastny and fellow Duck Brett Skinner who is currently playing with the Omaha Knights of the AHL.

Gwozdecky’s feelings for his players leaving early are mixed.

“You are proud and happy for these guys because obviously they are one step closer to realizing a childhood dream. The negative of it is obviously that these guys who leave early are very hard to replace,” said Gwozdecky.

He added, “There is no question for our immediate future it makes it doubly more challenging to try and fill the vacuum created by some really good players who [are not staying] through their four years -All-Americans or Hobey Baker Award winners. They could be guys that were leading us to a lot of post-season success. No question from that standpoint that we are going to miss them,” said Gwozdecky, who is in his 13th year at DU.

“You’re proud to think that we played a little bit of a part in development of all these young guys and proud to see when they are able to take the next step and be successful,” said Gwozdecky.

Making it as a constant and successful NHL player is no easy task. Just ask Carle who, after a great start in an official rookie season this year, was sent down to the minor leagues for a few weeks to work on his game. The NHL is a different game, as it is faster, more physical and high on pressure and constant performance.

“These guys find out quickly that the NHL is a business and they chew you up and spit you out and if you are not good enough, you are not good enough. It’s the real world and it can be good but can also be very cruel and unapologetic and difficult,” said Gwozdecky.

Gwozdecky said players have been open and eager to discuss with the coaches their decision-making process. The players have been very informative and willing to seek help, Gwozdecky said.

“Our guys have been real good about keeping us abreast about what’s going on and asking and seeking advice and wanting to talk about the issue and weighing the opportunities. I think our guys truly love Denver and being a part of the university community and love wearing this proud honored jersey and representing the school as a hockey player,” said Coach.

When Carle left last season, fans were surprised by his departure, but were in even more shock when during the summer Paul Stastny also announced his departure to the professional ranks. Now with Dingle announcing his early departure from college hockey, the door is still wide open for other DU student-athletes to exit as well before the beginning of next season.

“If last summer is any example, we could have guys leaving between now and the end of summer. There is no set date… You really got to take a serious look at leaving and the way I look at it, why are you in a hurry, there is no reason to be in a hurry. I look at our situation here and we are going to have a very good team here next year,” said Gwozdecky.

He added, “All these guys are part of the DU family and no matter when they leave they are still part of our family and they are welcome back whenever they are back in town.”