Hockey season is still a few weeks away, but preparation here at DU is already in full swing.

The Pioneers will take to the ice for the first time on Oct. 4 in Magness Arena, facing McGill University.
Official practices have not begun, but the players and still finding time to get on the ice in order to prepare for the upcoming season.

Denver Head Coach Jim Montgomery is ready to get started with the new season and is looking forward to seeing what the team has in store.

“I’m really excited about the group we have and I’m excited to begin working with our student athletes and see how well, as a program, we work together at achieving what we want to do,” Montgomery said.

Last season, the Pioneers won the National Collegiate Hockey Conference Championship and this year, they hope to repeat that performance and go a bit further.

“We’re going to be looking to head to the next tournament. We won’t just be satisfied with the NCHC title,” Montgomery said.

The Pioneers will be aided this year by some great new talent, as five freshmen have been added to the Denver roster.

Freshman Danton Heinen has already been drafted by the Boston Bruins and will be a huge asset to Pioneers.
“(Heinen will) add depth to the scoring attack and is someone we expect to play on the power play for us,” Montgomery said.

Freshman and Denver local Rudy Junda is expected to “add a lot of physicality and energy” to the team this season.

Aside from freshmen, seniors Joey LaLeggia and Josiah Didier are looking to play for the NHL after their final season with Denver.

The Pioneers will face Boston College for Homecoming on Halloween, Oct. 31, in Magness Arena.
Boston College has won three National Titles in the last seven years, but having a sold-out Homecoming crowd will hopefully help Denver come out on top.

The annual camp-out for hockey tickets is scheduled for Sept. 26. Tickets for students go on sale on the Sept.