The University of Denver hockey program had a tough ending to the 2024-25 season, losing in the national semifinals to conference foe Western Michigan in overtime. The start of the offseason wasn’t much better.
Rumors of Denver’s bench boss, David Carle, leaving the program to go to the NHL were some of the biggest news in the sport.
But, those rumors were laid to bed last Monday, after DU’s Athletic Department announced that Carle signed a multi-year extension and will remain the leader of the hockey program for the foreseeable future.
“The family is very young; we got three kids. We love living in Denver, I think it’s a wonderful place to raise our kids, and we live real close to here. For the last 15 to 16 years of my life, I’ve lived within a one mile radius of this place, so I feel really fortunate to continue to stay and work here and serve in the role I’m in,” Carle said during a press conference on Thursday.
At just 35 years old, Carle has become one of the best coaches in the sport. He’s amassed 179 wins over seven seasons, one conference championship, four Frozen Four appearances and two national championships. He’s also added two gold medals after leading Team USA to victory in back-to-back IHF World Junior Championships in 2024 and 2025.
Carle was heavily pursued by the Chicago Blackhawks for their head coach vacancy. But, Carle withdrew himself from consideration nine days before the extension with Denver was announced.
“There’s no issue in being patient. 27 of the last 33 jobs [in the NHL] have turned over in the last three years. Some of those jobs have turned over multiple times, so the number is even higher,” Carle said. “At the end of the day, I think this is the best job outside the NHL, potentially a better job… some guys in the NHL would trade with me if they had that opportunity.”
Carle was also linked to the head coaching vacancies for the Anaheim Ducks, New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins and Boston Bruins.
“I think you’re always open minded to things that come your way and wanting to have those conversations. It only helps me learn and grow more; it only helps our program in many ways. Certainly, some decisions needed to be made, but we chose to make the decision that was best for our family, and that was obviously staying here at Denver,” Carle said.
Alongside the announcement of the extension, the athletic department also announced a multi-year pledge from Carle to the Murray Armstrong Student-Athlete Enhancement Fund, an endowment fund dedicated to bigger costs of the hockey program such as charter flights, post-practice nutrition and equipment room needs.
Carle said he wants to “put his money where his mouth is,” and continue to bring in “more people on board” within the ever-changing college sports landscape.
“We’re blessed with many great donors that provide philanthropically,” Carle said. “I want to be in the fight with them… hopefully that drives more philanthropic support for not only the hockey program, but the athletic department.”
