Photo courtesy of Brian Jenkins, Burlington Free Press
An all-time great hockey name is about to don the crimson and gold. Yesterday, University of Vermont goaltender Packy Munson announced via Twitter that he is going to transfer to the University of Denver, effective immediately. Due to NCAA eligibility rules, Munson will have to sit out the 2016-17 season, current DU goaltender Evan Cowley’s senior year, before resuming eligibility in the 2017-18 season.
Extremely excited to announce that I will be furthering my education and hockey career at the University of Denver #NCHC
— Packy Munson (@Pmuns33) May 17, 2016
After the Catamounts’ starting goalie Mike Santaguida was sidelined with an injury part-way through the2015-16 season, Munson, a freshman, stepped up to man the crease. In his unexpected starting role, Munson shined, posting a 9-10-1 record with a very good 2.37 GAA and .920 SV%, which was good enough to place him fifth among freshman netminders.
The timing could not work better for the Pioneers who already have two solid, albeit statistically pedestrian goalies in Tanner Jaillet and Evan Cowley. As a sophomore and the starter for the second half of the season, Jaillet posted a 17-5-5 record on top of a 2.27 GAA and .922 SV% while leading the Pios to their first Frozen Four appearance in more than a decade. Cowley, a junior during the 2015-16 campaign, earned an 8-5-1 record with a 2.07 GAA and .929 SV%.
Munson figures to share time in the crease with senior-to-be Jaillet in 2017-18, the year after Cowley graduates. In short, Munson will fill the roster void left by Cowley when his time as a Pioneer comes to an end.
Count this as another great addition by coach Jim Montgomery on his quest to add an 8th National Championship banner to the rafters of Magness Arena.
Stay tuned into LetsGoDU over the next couple of weeks as we will put together a comprehensive recruiting update looking ahead to the 2016-17 season.
What about Greg Ogard, Goaltender 6-2 185 JR Wilmette, Ill. (Bay State Breakers – EJHL)?
This is a solid pickup for the Pioneers. I am sure Munson had a lot of interest in his services from other schools, and he chose the Pioneers as his best fit, looking at Cowley entering his last season next year and Jaillet becoming a senior when Munson is eligible to play again, leaving 2-3 years of Munson potentially starting for DU, depending on how well he stacks up with Tanner. Munson was a Richter Award finalist this year, among the top American goalies.
Reports out of Vermont suggest a logjam of four goalies there next year, and Munson, a late commit last year who lucked into solid playing time. probably pulled the plug in Burlington due to some combination for reduced playing time, coaching favorability and scholarship support from UVM for next year. Coach Sneddon has had more than his share of player turnover over the years at UVM as well, and perhaps did not invest in Munson as the players had hoped. In any event, DU had Dayton Rasmusson and Boston Bilous in the goaltending recruiting pipeline in the future as well, so DU is looking solid in goal.
While Cowley and Jaillet were both solid goalies last year, they were not quite the “elite” level goalies that DU fans are used to having in Denver. Perhaps Munson can become one…
But, sitting out a whole season? Is that not as big a deal as it sounds? What are his restrictions during that time as far as continued development? Can he work out with the team? Play on the club team?
What about Greg Ogard, Goaltender 6-2 185 JR Wilmette, Ill. (Bay State Breakers – EJHL)?
This is a solid pickup for the Pioneers. I am sure Munson had a lot of interest in his services from other schools, and he chose the Pioneers as his best fit, looking at Cowley entering his last season next year and Jaillet becoming a senior when Munson is eligible to play again, leaving 2-3 years of Munson potentially starting for DU, depending on how well he stacks up with Tanner. Munson was a Richter Award finalist this year, among the top American goalies.
Reports out of Vermont suggest a logjam of four goalies there next year, and Munson, a late commit last year who lucked into solid playing time. probably pulled the plug in Burlington due to some combination for reduced playing time, coaching favorability and scholarship support from UVM for next year. Coach Sneddon has had more than his share of player turnover over the years at UVM as well, and perhaps did not invest in Munson as the players had hoped. In any event, DU had Dayton Rasmusson and Boston Bilous in the goaltending recruiting pipeline in the future as well, so DU is looking solid in goal.
While Cowley and Jaillet were both solid goalies last year, they were not quite the “elite” level goalies that DU fans are used to having in Denver. Perhaps Munson can become one…
But, sitting out a whole season? Is that not as big a deal as it sounds? What are his restrictions during that time as far as continued development? Can he work out with the team? Play on the club team?
Munson must sit out a full year of hockey competition and complete three academic quarters at DU before he can play with the Pioneers. He can practice with the team, but can’t play in any games during the one “academic year in residence” (e.g. “sit out’ period).
Munson must sit out a full year of hockey competition and complete three academic quarters at DU before he can play with the Pioneers. He can practice with the team, but can’t play in any games during the one “academic year in residence” (e.g. “sit out’ period).
Hello! I’ve been following your weblog for a long
time now and finally got the bravery to go ahead and give you a shout out from Austin Tx!
Just wanted to mention keep up the good work!
We are glad you are following LetsGoDU. Don’t hesitate to share your opinions and giving feedback. Go Pioneers!
Will Munson be a red-shirt soph or a junior when he gets to play?
He’ll be the equivalent of a redshirt sophomore. He has 3 years of eligibility left. 2017-18, 18-19, 19-20.
A Richter finalist transferring–my,my,my.
Hello! I’ve been following your weblog for a long
time now and finally got the bravery to go ahead and give you a shout out from Austin Tx!
Just wanted to mention keep up the good work!
We are glad you are following LetsGoDU. Don’t hesitate to share your opinions and giving feedback. Go Pioneers!
Will Munson be a red-shirt soph or a junior when he gets to play?
He’ll be the equivalent of a redshirt sophomore. He has 3 years of eligibility left. 2017-18, 18-19, 19-20.
A Richter finalist transferring–my,my,my.