While Denver hockey players are deep into their season and focused on making a late season run, past Pioneers have recently made a big impact at the next level of the game, both professionally and internationally.
Perhaps most notable is Colorado Avalanche center Paul Stastny. Stastny just earned a spot on his second U.S. Olympic hockey team. Stastny also skated in the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver four years ago. He played in all six games, recording one goal and two assists in helping the U.S. bring home a silver medal. International play is nothing new to Stastny, as he has also competed in three Ice Hockey World Championships for the United States.
“It’s always a blessing every time you put the U.S.A. jersey on, and I’ve been fortunate enough to put it on a couple of time now. And every time you can, it just keeps getting better and better,” said current Pioneer Quentin Shore on Stastny’s achievement and his own experience representing the United States at the U18 World Junior Championships.
Stastny is an NHL All-Star, but he played some of his best hockey at DU. He made an immediate impact at Denver, putting up 45 points in just 42 games on his way to WCHA (Western Collegiate Hockey Association) Rookie of the Year. His achievements continued at DU with an NCAA championship in 2005, a selection to the WCHA First All-Star team and a selection to the NCAA Second-Team All American.
Stastny has also made a big impact in the NHL. In his rookie season, he played his way to the NHL All-Rookie Team and broke the record for consecutive games with a point by a rookie. He is top 10 in Avalanche franchise history in goals and assists while being selected for two NHL All-Star Games.
While Stastny is the biggest Pioneer name in the NHL right now, there are several others in the league still looking to make their mark. Tyler Bozak recently made a loud statement in an overtime goal to help the Toronto Maple Leafs win the 2014 Winter Classic.
In the biggest game of the regular season, with over 100 thousand fans packed into Michigan Stadium, Tyler Bozak scored two goals including the game winner in a shootout against the Detroit Red Wings.
This was the spearhead in his rise to fame certainly, but Bozak has been very productive in his five-season career with Toronto. He is averaging nearly a point a game this season and continues to develop as a player.
“It means a lot you know, it’s just knowing that they came from here and that they’re having a lot of success,” said junior defensman Josiah Didier. “It makes me want to work just as hard as them to try and get to that level and be as successful as them.”
Denver star Beau Bennett was drafted in the first round by the Pittsburgh Penguins and is currently in his second year with the team. Despite injuries, Bennett was able to skate his way to a starting position in last year’s Stanley Cup Playoffs. He rewarded the Penguins by scoring in his first ever playoff game.
Matt Carle, who is currently playing for the Tampa Bay Lighting has also seen success in his nine year career. After winning the highly prestigious Hobey Baker Award for best collegiate hockey player in the nation, the defender went on to be drafted in the second round by the San Jose Sharks to a maximum entry level contract. Carle proved his worth with his selection to the NHL All-Rookie Team.
“When I see them do that kind of thing [succeed in the NHL] it makes me proud. That’s something our guys can do someday,” said freshman forward Trevor Moore of DU. “It’s exciting to see that someday in the future it could be us.”
These are just a few of the many Pioneers who have found recent success at the next level, although there will likely be many more in the future.
Current Prospects
There are always future and potential NHL stars skating through Magness Arena on their way to bigger and better achievements. On the current 21-man-roster, seven players have already been drafted by NHL franchises, with several others who are now draft eligible. For some, this may be their last season at DU, while others will choose to continue their college careers.
Didier, who was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in 2011, says that he is not yet thinking about his future.
“It’s a pretty cool experience [being drafted], but you know I’m here right now and I’m just trying to get better every single day to work on winning a national championship here. Then hopefully taking the next step,” said Didier.
The good news for Pioneer fans is that there are currently 12 freshmen and sophomores on the team, who will likely hang around for a while longer. This includes sophomore Quentin Shore who was drafted by the Ottawa Senators in 2013. He called being drafted a “great experience.”
When they do leave, however, they will still represent the University of Denver at the next level.
“Growing up watching the Pioneers and then finally being able to be a Pioneer, and then being able to represent them. That would be pretty cool,” Didier said.
