Western Collegiate Hockey Association

Denver Hockey: 2007-08 Season Preview

After capturing back-to-back NCAA National Championships in 2004 and 2005, the Denver Pioneers have missed the NCAA Tournament the past two seasons and are hungry for a return trip to college hockey's most coveted tournament and a berth to the 2008 Frozen Four at Pepsi Center in Denver.

The Pioneers return 15 letterwinners from last year's team that finished 21-15-4 and fourth in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. DU also welcomes 12 incoming freshmen to the program, which has captured 21 or more wins the past six seasons.

The Pioneers will lean on the leadership of senior captain Andrew Thomas (Bow, NH), senior goaltender Peter Mannino (Farmington Hills, MI) and junior defenseman Chris Butler (St. Louis, MO), as well as production from super sophomores Brock Trotter (Brandon, MB), Rhett Rakhshani (Huntington Beach, CA) and Tyler Ruegsegger (Lakewood, CO) to gain the program's seventh trip to the NCAA Tournament under two-time National Coach of the Year George Gwozdecky.

"Our players and staff have worked hard in the offseason to prepare for the challenges that our 2007-08 schedule presents," Gwozdecky said. "With so many new student-athletes joining the program, our primary goal is to become a team. Our secondary goals will be to gain home ice for the WCHA playoffs and advance to the WCHA Final Five and NCAA Tournament."

Thomas is the eighth defensman to captain the Pioneers in the past eight years and is DU's most experienced returning player having played in 120 career games. Mannino takes over the full-time reigns as DU's No. 1 goaltender after sharing the net with Glenn Fisher the last three seasons. The 2005 NCAA Frozen Four Most Outstanding Player ranks second all-time at DU with a .917 career saves percentage and nine shutouts. Butler is arguably the top two-way defenseman in the WCHA and led all DU blueliners in points (27), goals (10), assists (17) and power-play goals (4) last season.

Trotter, Rakhshani and Ruegsegger highlight a sophomore class which ranked second in the nation in freshmen scoring last season behind Minnesota with 160 points on 48 goals and 112 assists. Senior forward Tom May (Eagan, MN), junior forward Patrick Mullen (Pittsburgh, PA) and junior alternate captain J.P. Testwuide (Vail, CO) provide additional leadership and big-game experience, while Tyler Bozak (Regina, SK), Jesse Martin (Edmonton, AB), Kyle Ostrow (Calgary, AB) and Marc Cheverie (Cole Harbour, NS) highlight Denver's largest freshmen class during Gwozdecky's 13-year tenure.

Forwards: The Pioneers will pack plenty of scoring punch despite losing talented three-year veterans Ryan Dingle and Geoff Paukovich early to the NHL. Trotter leads the way after becoming the first DU freshman last season to lead the team in scoring since Dave Shields in 1986-87. Trotter tied for third among WCHA freshmen in scoring with 40 points on 16 goals and 24 assists, while racking up seven power-play goals and 12 multi-point efforts, tying his career-best three points in four games. Rakhshani led DU with 26 assists and finished third with 36 points last season. The talented forward earned Wells Fargo Denver Cup Most Valuable Player honors and recorded a pair of two-goal games against Minnesota Duluth. Ruegsegger is DU's most energetic player and best two-way forward. He tallied 34 points on 15 goals and 19 assists and recorded a team-leading +15 plus/minus rating.

"Brock, Rhett and Tyler had great freshmen seasons and provided much of our scoring offense," Gwozdecky said. "With a tremendous summer of training as well as the experience gained, we expect our 'dynamic three-some' to continue to lead us in many of our offensive categories."

Mullen, May and sophomore Brian Gifford (Moorhead, MN) provide experience and are ready to be consistent contributors. Mullen, who saw action at forward and defense last season, returns to forward and will be counted on as one of DU's top two-way forwards. Mullen scored five goals last season, including two game-winners. May looks to regain a regular spot in the lineup and has worked hard toward a solid senior season. May packs one of the hardest shots in the league and is expected to provide a strong presence on both ends of the ice. Gifford netted 13 points on three goals and 10 assists during his freshman campaign last season. Sophomore returnees Brandon Vossberg (St. Paul, MN) and Matt Glasser (Calgary, AB) will also compete for increased playing time.

Bozak, Martin and Ostrow headline the list of six freshmen forwards. Bozak led the British Columbia Hockey League in scoring last season with 128 points on 45 goals and a league-leading 83 assists in 59 games as team captain for Victoria. Martin is a highly-skilled forward who tallied 56 points on 19 goals and 37 assists for Tri-City of the United States Hockey League, while Ostrow recorded 71 points on 26 goals and 45 assists for BCHL Coastal Conference champion Nanaimo. Stephen Cunningham (Boulder, CO), Dustin Jackson (Omaha, NE) and Anthony Maiani (Shelby Township, MI) look for immediate playing time as well.

Defensemen: Thomas and Butler will anchor an inexperienced defensive corps that should improve with increased ice time. Thomas is a fierce competitor who has established himself as one of the league's top defensive blueliners. The 6-2, 215-pound Thomas led DU in penalty minutes last season, but also established himself as a better all-around defenseman.

"With his experience, character and skill, Andy was an obvious choice to be our captain for the 2007-08 season," Gwozdecky said. "He has developed into one of the most consistent defenseman in the WCHA. Andy's strength, courage, intelligence and personality will be valuable assets in his leadership role."

Alternate captain Butler will have increased ice time and responsibility this season. The former All-WCHA Rookie Team member in 2005 tied for second among WCHA defensemen in points (20) and goals (7) in league play last season. Butler earned Ice Breaker Invitational and Wells Fargo Denver Cup All-Tournament honors and led DU with 110 blocked shots. Butler is ready to establish himself as one of the best two-way defensemen in college hockey.

"Undoubtedly one of the most talented defenseman in the WCHA, Chris is expected to provide us with dynamic play in our transition game as well as defend against the best our opponents can throw at us," Gwozdecky said.

Testwuide moves back to the blueline to start the season, but also could see action at forward. Testwuide was part of DU's top defensive forward line last season and is DU's most physical two-way player. He will be counted on for extensive ice time and physical play this season.

Senior Zach Blom (Englewood, CO), junior Julian Marcuzzi (N. Vancouver, BC), sophomore Cody Brookwell (Calgary, AB) and freshmen Joey Brehm (Edina, MN), Jon Cook (Denver, CO), Chris Nutini (Centennial, CO) and John Ryder (Colorado Springs, CO) will battle for the remaining defensive positions.

Goaltending: Mannino is DU's first No. 1 goaltender since Adam Berkhoel led the Pioneers to the NCAA National Championship in 2004. Mannino excelled in DU's goaltending rotation the last three seasons with Fisher, leading the team in goals-against average and saves percentage each year during that span. Last season, Mannino posted an 8-6-2 record with a 2.29 GAA and .919 Sv%. He added four shutouts, including back-to-back efforts against Alaska Anchorage and Mercyhurst.

Mannino will be backed up by incoming freshman Marc Cheverie (Cole Harbour, NS), who posted a a 20-9-2 record, including three shutouts, with a 3.10 GAA and .875 Sv% in 34 games for Coastal Conference champion Nanaimo of the BCHL in 2006-07.

Freshman Eddie Guinn (South Burlington, VT) will serve as the No. 3 goaltender.

"Peter assumes the No. 1 role and is arguably the best goaltender in the WCHA," Gwozdecky said. "With his great skill, competitive fire and big-game experience, we expect him to be a difference maker in every game he plays. Marc is a talented goaltender, who will be mentored by one of the nation's best. We expect Marc to be ready when called upon."

Schedule: The Pioneers play 14 of their 36 games against teams which qualified for the 2007 NCAA Tournament, including four games against Frozen Four participant North Dakota and two-game non-conference series' against Hockey East contender Maine and Central Collegiate Hockey Association defending champion Notre Dame.

In addition, the Pioneers face perennial power Minnesota and in-state rival Colorado College four times each.

"We are excited to play one of the premier schedules in the country," Gwozdecky said. "Our non-conference schedule will challenge us from the beginning of the season with series' against Maine and Notre Dame. We're also looking forward to another competitive season in the always tough and rigorous WCHA."