Category Archives: Hockey

Hockey

Jim Montgomery leaving but leaves lasting legacy in Denver

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Photo courtesy of Maddie MacFarlane Photography

They always tell you to leave everything better than when you found it. Whether you’re a kid learning to respect your surroundings or a regular adult houseguest, it’s just common courtesy to leave things in better shape after you’ve left. That’s never a thought that crosses your mind when it comes to sports, though. In sports, it’s about winning. For proud programs, it’s about winning championships. In his five years at the helm of the Denver Pioneers hockey program, Jim Montgomery found a way to bridge the gap and do both.

In case you missed the news yesterday, Jim Montgomery is leaving his post as head coach at DU to take the same job with the NHL’s Dallas Stars. The general consensus was that it was never a matter of if ‘Monty’ would take a head coaching position in the NHL but a matter of when. Two days ago, when became now. Continue reading Jim Montgomery leaving but leaves lasting legacy in Denver →

Hockey, Men's Sports

Reports: Jim Montgomery to the Dallas Stars

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RDS in Canada is reporting that Jim Montgomery will be joining the Dallas stars as their next head coach. Several weeks ago we reported in a LetGoDU article, Chasing Monty,  the interest in Montgomery by both the New York Rangers and the Dallas Stars. Interest continued to heat up over the past week as numerous blogs reported a growing interest in Montgomery by both clubs. Apparently, the deal from the Dallas Stars came together over the last 24 hours and will be announced shortly.

Over the past five years, Montgomery guided the Pioneers to a 125–57–26, highlighted by a National Championship the 2016-2017 season.

Jim Montgomery will succeed Ken Hitchcock who announced his retirement once the season for the Stars was completed.

Once the deal is finalized and announced, LetsGoDU will provide further details.

Hockey

David Carle seen as possible replacement should Jim Montgomery jump to NHL

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Photo: Courtesy of TampaBay.com

The noise is growing louder.

Over the past couple of weeks, it’s been reported that DU head coach Jim Montgomery has interviewed with the New York Rangers for their vacant head coaching position. And, since Ken Hitchcock informed the Dallas Stars of his retirement, speculation about Montgomery’s fit in Texas has started to circulate. Continue reading David Carle seen as possible replacement should Jim Montgomery jump to NHL →

Hockey

Startling Resemblance Stirs Up Stormy Past

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Photo: CC player has a striking resemblance to the composite sketch

The Stormy Daniels story surfaced again this past week when she presented a composite sketch of a man who she states threatened her not to divulge her past liaison with President Donald Trump.

One has to wonder if there also may be a connection to Colorado College. As we reported, Miss Daniels was provided with a “CC Sucks” T-shirt to model in Houston in 2007. Surely, this raised the ire of Colorado College fans. See the picture below.

Stormy

And now, after careful research, we have identified a startling similarity between Colorado College junior hockey defenseman Andrew Farny and the man shown in the composite sketch. While we believe it is highly unlikely that Mr. Farny perpetrated the threat, he would have been 15 at the time of the incident, the similarity is certainly striking.

Hockey, Men's Sports, Women's Lacrosse, Women's Sports

Behind the scenes upgrades keep DU in Division I arms race

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Photo: Courtesy  University of Denver. This rendering shows DU hockey’s Miller Complex locker room when complete

The University of Denver is undergoing an athletic transformation that many fans may not see but are, nonetheless, critical to DU’s success now and in the future.

Of course, fans want to see the glitzy, visible additions like the new Denver Tennis Park and the upgraded Hamilton Gym with a new synthetic playing surface for volleyball that an anonymous donor purchased this past season.

But, there are a number of ‘behind the scenes’ improvements that are keys to recruiting and sustaining athletic excellence. And many of these are being supported by donors who have become an ever more critical part of DU athletics capital campaigns now and in the future. Continue reading Behind the scenes upgrades keep DU in Division I arms race →

Hockey, Men's Sports

Chasing Monty

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Photo courtesy of NHL.com

As the NHL regular season wrapped up this past weekend, many of the teams that missed the playoffs began to make new plans to replace their coaches. In a league that is so dependent on attendance, luxury suites, and merchandise sales, a losing season nearly requires teams to consider a change in their head coaches.

Some teams are rewarded for their patience, such as the local Colorado Avalanche who turned their season around under a new coach, Jared Bednar, from a paltry 48 points last season to 95 points this season and a playoff berth. But again, like last season’s extended courtship with the Florida Panthers, expect DU head coach Jim Montgomery’s name to be thrown into a number of NHL candidate pools as teams lower the ax.  Continue reading Chasing Monty →

Hockey, Men's Sports

Terry, Borgström, Gambrell and Hillman All Leave Denver Early for NHL Contracts

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Left: Troy Terry, Upper Right: Dylan Gambrell and Lower Right: Henrik Borgström

As expected, the talented Denver forward trio of Troy Terry,  Henrik Borgström and Dylan Gambrell have all elected to forego their remaining NCAA hockey eligibility and have all signed three-year NHL Entry Level Contracts (ELCs) with the respective teams that held their draft rights. These ELCs have a maximum base salary of $925,000 per season, and the players may also earn signing and performance bonuses that may cap out at up to $3.75 million. All ELCs are two-way contracts, meaning that if the player is sent to play the AHL, they will be paid a minor league salary of about $70,000. Continue reading Terry, Borgström, Gambrell and Hillman All Leave Denver Early for NHL Contracts →

Hockey

DU Smothered by Ohio State, 5-1, in NCAA Quarterfinals

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Photo: Courtesy The Denver Post

The Ohio State Buckeyes (26-9-5) played stifling defense and scored opportunistic goals to rout the University of Denver (23-10-8) in the NCAA playoffs 5-1 in Allentown, Pennsylvania. In an ironic twist, it was the Pioneers high flying offense that could never get off the ground and it was the Ohio State Buckeyes finding the back of the net. The game had all the feel of a masterpiece crafted by former DU assistant coach,  now turned Buckeyes assistant, Steve Miller who employed a central defense which pushed the Denver forwards to the wings and mopped up in front of the goal so freshman goaltender Sean Romeo could keep DU’s future NHL stars at bay.  Continue reading DU Smothered by Ohio State, 5-1, in NCAA Quarterfinals →

Hockey, Men's Sports

Denver better at hockey than Penn State, advances to fourth straight Regional Final

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The University of Denver is better at hockey than Penn State. But that’s the way it’s supposed to be when a 69-year-old program plays a six-year-old program. For the second year in a row, the Pioneers beat the Nittany Lions in the NCAA Tournament. Last year it was a 6-3 victory in the second round and this year it was a dominant 5-1 victory in the first round. Continue reading Denver better at hockey than Penn State, advances to fourth straight Regional Final →