A number is just a number, said hockey coach George Gwozdecky about reaching the 500-win plateau in his coaching career. The teams’ most recent win against University of Minnesota allowed him to reach this milestone.

“Wins and loses never had any impact on me. I have my own high expectations. I have never been in any mind set to do this by a certain age, be here by a certain age,” said Gwozdecky.

Many former players, staff and people that Gwozdecky has worked with over the years, contacted him to wish him well after the win.

He credits his success to his wife and daughter for standing by him.

“They deserve it more than I do,” he said.

After the game, assistant coach Steve Miller, who has worked with Gwozdecky for 19 years, presented him with the game puck.

Gwozdecky has been a coach at DU for 16 seasons, his 24th season overall.

He coached for five seasons at Miami University, from the 1989-90 season to the 1993-94 season.

He won the Central Collegiate Hockey Association coach of the year twice, as he amassed a record of 83-94-19.

Previously,  he coached at University of Wisconsin-River Falls, a Division III school, from the 1981-82 season to the 1983-84.

While there, he won the NAIA National Championship in 1983 on his way to achieving a record of 67-30-2.

“How many more games I’ve got in this body, I have no idea. I want to keep coaching as long as they’ll have me,” said Gwozdecky.