Aspen Based Collector Has DU Covered

(above) Raifie Bass' collection is the envy of DU hockey fans

Special to LetsGoDU

Raifie Bass has been collecting game worn hockey jerseys for 20 years. He also probably has one of the largest collections of DU hockey jerseys on the planet. When he contacted LetsGoDU, we knew we had to get the "inside story."

Raifie got into sports memorabilia originally by collecting NHL jerseys. His main focus had been collecting shirts of all of the 500 goal scorers in the NHL.

Sixteen years ago he moved to Colorado and started adding the history of Colorado hockey to his collection. He owns shirts from DU, Colorado College, Air Force, the Denver Spurs, Colorado Rockies, Colorado Flames, Denver Rangers, Denver Grizzlies, Colorado Gold Kings and the Colorado Eagles.

Raifie will be attending the Frozen Four in March and LetsGoDU will keep you posted on when and where to view his collection.

He is always looking to add great Colorado hockey items and especially DU items to his collection. If you have any jerseys that might be of interest feel free to email him at 500goals@sopris.net

DU Lands Alberta Sniper
Joe Colborne Commits To DU For 2008

#12 Joe Colborne
Forward, shoots left
Born: 30-Jan-90
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 175 lbs
Home town: Calgary, AB

WCHA Blog via U.S. Hockey Report are reporting that the University of Denver has received a commitment from Joe Colborne for the 2008 season. He is considered to be one of the top collegiate recruits from the AJHL.

Colborne is from Calgary and was a teammate of incoming DU Freshman Jon Cook on the Camrose Kodiaks. Last season he had 20 goals and 28 assists in 53 games for the Kodiaks.

2008 Recruiting Class

Joe Colborne - F Camrose (AJHL)
John Lee - D Waterloo (USHL)

2009 Recruiting Class

Nate Dewhurst - F Des Moines (USHL)
Matt Donovan - D Cedar Rapids (USHL)
Paul Phillips - D Cedar Rapids (USHL)

9-1-1...DU Adds A Last Minute D-man
Joey Brehm From Minnesota Will Anchor Blueline

The Denver Post article about the incoming recruiting class contained a last minute surprise for Pioneer hockey fans. Joey Brehm who played for Edina High School last season will come to DU this year instead of playing for the Sioux Falls Stampede in the USHL.

Brehm played for four years at Edina H.S. As captain of the team last season he led the Hornets’ to the Class 2A state tournament with a record of 27-3-1.

McKeen's Hockey Propects Website had the following review of Brehm:

Joey Brehm (2007), D, Edina HS
Adequate size at 6-1 185, Brehm is a very solid two-way defenseman. Uses his frame to play the body fairly well, pins his man against the boards, battles hard in front where he ties up his man well, still could add bulk to generate more power behind his checks. Swift skater, who pivots well, skated backwards with some of the faster forwards off the rush maintaining a healthy gap before taking his man out, once even laying out a nice hip check. Could improve his first step quickness but his top end speed is impressive as he can rush the puck up the ice on his own, also has good lateral quickness as he can execute quick lateral cuts to avoid the opposition when handling the puck. Possesses soft hands for a defenseman, has some one on one trickery, and can stickhandle himself out situations in his own zone.

Decisive decision maker, on the penalty kill won a lot of battles down low then wasted no time icing the puck off the boards crisply not allowing the opposition to hold the zone. Uses his frame to really suffocate the opposition in tight, neutralized his man one on one for the most part. Brehm has plenty of skill and quarterbacked the power play. Has a cannon of a slap shot, which he likes to use even at the red line, very good one timer that is accurate. Creative in utilizing his shot, shoots for teammates sticks looking for tips or uses his shot as a pass to an open teammate at the side of the net. Above average passer, delivers the puck right through the middle of the slot past penalty killers on the power play. Looks the opposition off, delivers a crisp outlet pass, can stretch the ice with a long pass to catch the opposition a line change, has a fine saucer pass. Will kill the puck on the boards if he is danger instead of making an errant pass.

DU Hockey In Midst Of A Makeover
Huge Recruiting Class Will Rebuild DU Hockey

From: Denver Post
by Nick Groke

University of Denver hockey coach George Gwozdecky today announced the signing of forward Anthony Maiani of Michigan to a national letter of intent, the newest in a series of signings that will give the Pioneers a new look next season.

The team also said seven other players will join the team as freshman in the fall.

That brings to 12 the number of new recruits to the Pioneers roster — an unusually high number after four players in the offseason left the team early to join the professional ranks.

It will be DU's largest recruiting class in Gwozdecky's 13 years with the team.

"With the early departure of several players to the pro ranks, we will once again rely heavily on our freshmen to produce," Gwozdecky said.

Maiani, a 5-foot-8, 165-pound forward, had 48 points with 16 goals and 32 assists in 59 games for Sioux City of the United States Hockey League last season. He led the team with a +20 plus-minus rating.

DU also added seven other freshman: defensemen Joey Brehm of Edina, Minn., Jon Cook of Denver, Chris Nutini of Centennial, and John Ryder of Colorado Springs; forwards Stephen Cunningham of Boulder, Dustin Jackson of Omaha; and goaltender Eddie Guinn of South Burlington, Vermont.

Maiani joins four other players who signed letters of intent: goaltender Marc Cheverie of Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia; forwards Tyler Bozak of Regina, Saskatchewan, and Jesse Martin of Edmonton and Kyle Ostrow of Calgary.

DU Hockey Legends

Craig Patrick Excelled At Every Level
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From: Hockey Hall Of Fame Website

(left) Craig Patrick won two National Championships at the University of Denver in '68 & '69 and had 57 goals and 57 assists in 86 career games with the Pioneers

The most recent in the long line of the "Royal Family of Hockey," Craig Patrick was destined to a life in the puck game from the moment he was born. His grandfather was the legendary Lester Patrick, the Rangers' first GM and the 41-year-old who went into net during the 1928 playoffs and backstopped his Blueshirts to a remarkable 2-1 win over the Montreal Maroons as an emergency replacement. His father was Lynn, who also played for and coached in New York, and uncle Murray "Muzz" Patrick, who also played with the team. Lynn and Muzz won the 1940 Stanley Cup with the Rangers, and Lester and Lynn are Honoured Members of the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Craig came into this world while his dad was coaching the Boston Bruins. He learned how to skate at the Boston Garden, and he learned how to shoot from no other source than the inestimable Johnny Bucyk. At 14, Craig was packed off to Montreal to live with a family and play hockey in city leagues, just as Lynn and Murray had been sent to that hockey hub by Lester in the 1930s.

Craig proved skilled enough to earn a scholarship to Denver University, and playing with Cliff Koroll, Mike Christie, Keith Magnuson, and brother, Glenn, the school won NCAA championships in 1968 and '69. He graduated with a degree in Business Administration and joined the U.S. National Team program where he stayed two years. He played in both the 1970 and '71 World Championships for the United States while he was in the Army and also helped coach at West Point during this time. He signed with California in the NHL as a free agent at the start of the 1971-72 season.

Like most of the great general managers, Patrick had a modest playing career. A left-hand shot who skated on the right wing, he played three and a half years with the Seals (including briefly with his brother in California in 1974-75), but then between 1975 and 1979 he played for three teams; St. Louis, Kansas City, and Washington. None of these teams was very good, and in an eight-year, 401-game career, Patrick appeared in just two playoff games.

Along the way, Patrick played for Team USA at the 1976 Canada Cup, played briefly for the Minnesota Fighting Saints of the WHA, and captained the U.S. entry in the 1979 World Championships in Moscow. He retired as a player in 1979 and shortly thereafter was named assistant general manager and assistant coach for the USA entry at the 1980 Olympics in Lake Placid.

Patrick's administrative stock shot through the roof in the early winter of 1980 when as an assistant coach the U.S. stunned the world with the famous "Miracle on Ice" gold medal victory. He became the first assistant GM in 1980, and then head coach just 20 games into the 1980-81 season. At year's end, he was named GM of the New York Rangers on June 14, 1981, at 34 - the youngest man to rise to that position and taking the same position his grandfather had had more than half a century earlier. One of his first tasks on Broadway was to hire his USA coach, Herb Brooks, which he did for the start of the 1981-82 season.

For the next five years, the Rangers never missed the playoffs. Patrick left the team in 1986 and accepted the position of director of athletics and recreation at his alma mater, University of Denver, a position he held for three years until he was hired as coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins in December 1989. He finished out the season behind the bench and then became the team's GM, leading the club to two Stanley Cups in 1991 and '92 with the great Mario Lemieux as captain.

He is responsible for hiring "Badger" Bob Johnson as coach, Scotty Bowman as director of player personnel, and drafting Jaromir Jagr in 1990. Patrick is the longest-serving GM in franchise history and currently ranks second to New Jersey's Lou Lamoriello as longest-serving GM in today's NHL. He acted as interim coach in 1996-97 and re-hired old friend Herb Brooks at the end of the 1999-2000 season on an interim basis. Patrick was inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in 1996.

2007-08 Denver Pioneers
The Push To The Pepsi Center Begins

Zach Blom - D, (Sr.) 6'0 190
Joey Brehm - D (Fr.) 6'2 185
Tyler Bozak - RC, (Fr.) 6' 175
Cody Brookwell - D, (So.) 6'4 215
Chris Butler - D, (Jr.) 6'1 190
Marc Cheverie - G, (Fr.) 6'2 195
Jon Cook - D, (Fr.) 6'1 195
Steve Cunningham - LW, (Fr.) 6'1 195
Brian Gifford - F, (So.) 6'2 195
Matt Glasser - F, (So.) 5'10 180
Eddie Guinn - G (Fr.) 6'1 185
Dusty Jackson - LW, (Fr.) 6'3 195
Anthony Maiani - LW, (Fr.) 5'9" 160
Peter Mannino - G, (Sr.) 6'0 190
Julian Marcuzzi - D, (Jr.) 5'11 190
Jesse Martin - RC, (Fr.) 5'10 170
Tom May - F, (Sr.) 6'3 210
Patrick Mullen - F, (Jr.) 5'10 165
Chris Nutini - D, (Fr.) 6'1 205
Kyle Ostrow - LC, (Fr.) 5'9 160
Lars Paulguard - G, (Fr.) 6'1 185
Rhett Rakhshani - F, (So.) 5'10 170
Tyler Ruegsegger - F, (So.) 5'11 180
John Ryder - D, (Fr.) 6'1 190
J.P. Testwuide D-F, (Jr.) 6'1 200
Andrew Thomas - D, (Sr.) 6'2 210
Brock Trotter - F, (So.) 5'10 170
Brandon Vossberg - F, (So.) 6'2 205

CC Hockey Player Interning At Quiznos
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From: Colorado Springs Gazette
by Kate Crandall

(left) One of these two clowns plays hockey at Colorado College, proving once again that you can't find quality employment with a Colorado College education. Billy Sweatt spent his summer preparing for a life after hockey.


Colorado Springs, CO. - When the U.S. National Junior team evaluation camp began Friday in Lake Placid, N.Y., Colorado College left wing Bill Sweatt was finishing up his last day at his summer job at Quiznos.

Sweatt, who earned a bronze medal with the national junior team at this year’s International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championships, will miss the eight-day camp because he is rehabilitating his right wrist that he hurt in the spring. (LetsGoDU adds: He severed tendons in his right forearm last season after punching out a window in a fit of rage)

“It’s close, it’s not 100 percent yet,” said Sweatt, the Tigers’ top scoring freshman last season.

“(The U.S. coaches) just told me to work on recovering and getting back to 100 percent as soon as possible.”

Sweatt said his absence at the evaluation camp doesn’t preclude his participation in the World Juniors, which will take place from Dec. 26 to Jan. 5 in Pardubice and Liberec, Czech Republic.

“It’s just the start of evaluating for the team,” Sweatt said. “They watch you the first half of the year as well. Camp is not the be-all end-all. . . . I would love the chance to play for the team again.”

A second-round pick in June’s NHL draft, Sweatt’s wrist also kept him from attending the Chicago Blackhawks’ prospect camp July 2-6.

Postscript: Once the CC Hockey fanbase got wind of Billy serving up the subs...you just knew this would happen

2007-08 DU Hockey Telecast Schedule
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From: DU Athletics Website

Sunday, November 4 at Minnesota, 1 p.m. MST

Friday, Nov. 30 vs. North Dakota, 7:30 p.m. MST

Friday, Dec. 7 at St. Cloud State, 6 p.m. MST

Saturday, Dec. 8 at St. Cloud State, 6 p.m. MST

Saturday, Dec. 29, Denver Cup Championship Game, 7 p.m. MST

Friday, Jan. 11 vs. Wisconsin, 7:30 p.m. MST

Saturday, Jan. 12 vs. Wisconsin, 7 p.m. MST

Friday, Jan. 18 at Air Force, 7 p.m. MST

Friday, Feb. 8 vs. Minnesota, 7:30 p.m. MST

Saturday, Feb. 9 vs. Minnesota, 7 p.m. MST (Also on Big Ten Network)

Friday, Feb. 15 at North Dakota, 6 p.m. MST

Saturday, Feb. 16 at North Dakota, 6 p.m. MST

Friday, Feb. 22 vs. Alaska Anchorage, 7:30 p.m. MST

Saturday, Feb. 23 vs. Alaska Anchorage, 7 p.m. MST

NY Islander Website Profiles Rakhshani

From: NY Islanders Website

Rhett Rakhshani -- On the ice, it's obvious that Rakhshani, listed at 5-foot-10 and 170 pounds, is smaller than most players, but the University of Denver forward is an excellent skater and playmaker. He led the Pioneers with 25 assists as a freshman last season and posted 10 goals. Rakhshani led Denver with a plus-15 rating. He tied for fourth among WCHA freshman with 25 points in league games. Rakhshani was the MVP of the mid-season Denver Cup. He was voted top freshman and top scholar-athlete (Correction: Tyler Ruegsegger was selected as DU's top Freshman and scholar athlete).

"I just saw Rhett last weekend at the USA evaluation camp for the World Junior team in Lake Placid," Jankowski said. "He combines a lot of things we like in a player. He has great puck ability and extremely good vision. Rhett handles the puck very well, even in tight situations. You can see his feistiness, skills and his love of hockey every time he goes out on the ice. We're happy with what he did as a freshman with the University of Denver and we're hoping he takes another step forward this year. He can get more involved and become more of a complete player. The icing on the cake would be if he makes the World Junior team and plays in an offensive role for Team USA. We want to see him succeed at a high level like that. That would cap his year."

Corbin To Begin Pro Career in Avs Rookie Camp

The Colorado Avalanche announced today that it will hold a four-day rookie camp September 8-11 in Centennial, Colorado.
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DU graduate J.D. Corbin is among 27 players will be attending the camp, which includes some of the 2007 draftees along with recently signed prospects.
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“The rookie camp will allow our hockey staff to evaluate the young players on their own before they begin training with the veteran group,” said Avalanche Director of Player Development Craig Billington. “It will also give our prospects additional on-ice sessions with our coaching staff.”

DU's 2007-08 Roster Undergoes Massive Overhaul

Early Departures

Jr. forward Ryan Dingle
Jr. forward Geoff Paukovich
Fr. defenseman Keith Seabrook (WHL)

Graduating Seniors

Adrian Veideman, D
Michael Handza, F
Ryan Helgason, F
J.D. Corbin, F
Steven Cook, F

Glenn Fisher, G

Danny King, G

Incoming Freshmen

Joey Boehm - D Edina H.S., Mn 6'2 185
Tyler Bozak - RC Victoria (BCHL) 6' 175
Marc Cheverie - G Nanaimo (BCHL) 6'2 195
Jon Cook - D Camrose (AJHL) 6'1 195
Steve Cunningham - LW Burnaby (BCHL) 6'1 195
Eddie Guinn - G Cleveland (CSHL) 6'1 185
Dusty Jackson - LW So. Minnesota (NAHL) 6'3 195
Anthony Maiani - LW Sioux City (USHL) 5'9" 160
Jesse Martin - RC Tri-City (USHL) 5'10 170
Chris Nutini - D Wichita Falls (NAHL) 6'1 205
Kyle Ostrow - LC Nanaimo (BCHL) 5'9 160
John Ryder - D Ohio (USHL) 6'1 190

Returning Players

Zach Blom D, (Sr) 6'0 190
Cody Brookwell (So) 6'4 215
Chris Butler D, (Jr) 6'1 190
Brian Gifford F, (So) 6'2 195
Matt Glasser F, (So) 5'10 180
Peter Mannino G, (Sr.) 6'0 190
Julian Marcuzzi D, (Jr.) 5'11 190
Tom May F, (Sr.) 6'3 210
Patrick Mullen D-F, (Jr.) 5'10 165
Rhett Rakhshani F, (So.) 5'10 170
Tyler Ruegsegger F, (So.) 5'11 180
J.P. Testwuide D-F (Jr.) 6'1 200
Andrew Thomas D, (Sr.) 6'2 210
Brock Trotter F, (So.) 5'10 170
Brandon Vossberg F, (So.) 6'2 205

DU's 2007-08 Hockey Schedule
CC Series Scheduled During Students' Xmas Break

Note: this article orginally ran on May 6, 2007. Since its a slow time of year and there probably won't be many new articles this summer, its probably a good idea to bump it up to the top of the Blog.


DU's hockey schedule has been released via the season ticket packages. Its an exciting schedule for college hockey fans and DU's season ticket holders. Six games against 2007 #1 NCAA Tourney Seeds, six more games against 2007 Frozen Four teams, for a total of thirteen games against six different teams that made the 2007 NCAA Tournament. For the players and coaches it looks like it will be one of the most challanging, if not the most difficult schedule in the country next season.

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Some of the highlights include DU playing a rare Sunday afternoon game against the Gophers on November 4th, they will be at Notre Dame the same weekend as the Irish football team takes on Southern Cal and of course they open against Maine at home in a rematch of the 2004 National Championship game.
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With all that being said, scheduling the first Colorado College series during the weekend following Thanksgiving, is a major disappointment. Depriving the students of both schools the opportunity to witness and participate in the series that has such a fantastic history is a terrible idea. College Hockey News ranked the DU-CC series as one of the four best rivalries in college hockey, but without students in the stands the series loses much of its luster.

DU Hockey Schedule 2007-08

10/7 - University of Calgary (Exhibition)
10/12 - Maine (nc)
10/13 - Maine (nc)
10/18 - @ Notre Dame (nc) (Thur)
10/19 - @ Notre Dame (nc) (Fri) Same weekend as USC @ Notre Dame Football!!!
10/26 - Minnesota-Duluth
10/27 - Minnesota-Duluth
11/2 - @ Minnesota
11/4 - @ Minnesota
Bye Week
11/16 - Minnesota State
11/17 - Minnesota State
11/23 - @ Colorado College
11/24 - Colorado College
11/30 - North Dakota
12/1 - North Dakota
12/7 - @ St. Cloud State
12/8 - @ St. Cloud State
12/14 - @ Alaska-Anchorage
12/15 - @ Alaska-Anchorage
XMAS - Bye Week
12/28 - Sacred Heart (Denver Cup)
12/29 - Northern Michigan/Dartmouth (Denver Cup)

Bye Week (WJT Tourney)
1/11 - Wisconsin
1/12 - Wisconsin
1/18 - @ Air Force (nc)
1/19 - Bemidji State (nc)

Bye Week
2/1 - @ Minnesota State
2/2 - @ Minnesota State
2/8 - Minnesota
2/9 - Minnesota
2/15 - @ North Dakota
2/16 - @ North Dakota
2/22 - Alaska-Anchorage
2/23 - Alaska-Anchorage
2/29 - @ Michigan Tech
3/1 - @ Michigan Tech
3/7 - Colorado College
3/8 - @ Colorado College

March 14th to March 16th - WCHA 1st Round Playoffs

March 20th to March 22nd - WCHA Final Five (Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul)

March 28th to March 30th - NCAA Regionals (Worcester, Albany, Colorado Springs, Madison)

April 10th and April 12th - NCAA Frozen Four (Pepsi Center - Denver, CO)

USA Under 18s End Tourney With A Win
DU Recruits Head Back Home

HODONIN, Czech Republic – Two DU recruits that will arrive at DU in 2009 ended the 2007 Memorial of Ivan Hlinka Tournament having gained valuable international experience. Nate Dewhurst finished the tournament with three goals while Matt Donovan contributed from the blueline. Their U.S. Under-18 Select Team defeated the Czech Republic, 6-5, in the finale of the at Hodonin Arena. With the win, Team USA earned a fifth-place finish in the tournament.

“We were pleased with how the team really gelled together as this tournament went on,” said Roger Grill, head coach of Team USA. “We were disappointed with how we started, but the guys really pulled together and I am excited about the way we finished.”
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After neither team was able to break the deadlock in overtime, the game had to be decided by a shoot out. Hjelle stopped all three Czech shooters he faced, including a glove save on Stepan Novotny on the Czech Republic’s second attempt. After McRae and Nate Dewhurst (Johnston, Iowa) were unable to score, it came down to Murray with the final attempt before the shoot out would go to a sudden death format. Murray streaked in on Sedlacek and fired a wrist shot under the outstretched glove hand of the Czech netminder and into the net to give Team USA the 6-5 victory.

DU Recruit's Two Goals Pace USA Victory
Nate Dewhurst Named Player Of The Game

PIESTANY, Slovakia - DU recruit Nate Dewhurst (Johnston, Iowa) who is slated to arrive at DU in 2009, was named Player Of The Game on Thursday. Dewhurst scored twice to help the U.S. Under-18 Select Team defeat co-hosts Slovakia, 5-3, in its third game of the 2007 Memorial of Ivan Hlinka Tournament at Zimny Stadium. Dewhurst now has three goals in the tournament.

“I think we played a good, solid and consistent game tonight,” said Roger Grillo (North Kingstown, R.I.), head coach of Team USA. “I was really happy with our effort and the energy and speed of the game. We’ll look to build off of that and carry it over into Saturday’s game.”

Team USA struck first at the 7:19 mark of the first period when defenseman Aaron Ness' wrist shot from the blue line got past Slovakian netminder Marek Ciliak. Dewhurst extended Team USA’s lead to 2-0 when he tapped in a rebound off of a shot from Mike Cichy (UND recruit) at 17:11.

In the second stanza, after Slovakia cut Team USA’s lead in half at 6:27, Mark Goggin followed a rebound and slid the puck past an outstretched Ciliak. Dewhurst notched his second tally of the game at 16:57 to give Team USA a 4-1 advantage heading into the final period.

Slovakia’s Marek Lison one-timed a shot past Team USA goaltender Brady Hjelle at 1:56 of the third frame to cut the deficit to two goals. Tyler Myers (Houston, Texas) extended the U.S. lead when his backhand pass deflected off a Slovakian defenseman and fluttered over Ciliak’s right shoulder at 4:45. Slovakia netted a power-play goal at 17:24 to account for the 5-3 final.

The U.S. Under-18 Select Team will face off against the Czech Republic at 9 a.m. (EDT) on Saturday (Aug. 18) in Hodonin, Czech Republic, in the fifth-place game of the 2007 Memorial of Ivan Hlinka Tournament.

DU Plucks Another Recruit From CC's Backyard
John Ryder Will Replace Seabrook On The Blueline

Heisenberg's Website & Western College Hockey Blog are reporting that DU has signed a last minute defensive recruit to replace Keith Seabrook. John Ryder from Colorado Springs will play at the University of Denver this upcoming season.

Ryder is 6'1, 190 lbs. defensive defenseman, who notched two goals and four assists in 50 games for the Ohio Blue Junior Jackets in the USHL. Ryder was described as "a tough kid with tremendous character" by his USHL coach.

He played his youth hockey with the Pikes Peak Miners midget program in Colorado Springs. Most DU fans remember that two time National Champion Luke Fulghum also arrived at DU via the Springs.

DU's 2007 Recruiting Class

John Ryder - D Ohio (USHL) 6'1 190 3/6/89
Lars Paulgaard - G So. Minnesota (NAHL)
Anthony Maiani - LW Sioux City (USHL) 5'9" 160 2/24/89
Jon Cook - D Camrose (AJHL) 6'1 195 4/8/86
Chris Nutini - D Wichita Falls (NAHL) 6'1 205 9/12/87
Steve Cunningham - LW Burnaby (BCHL) 6'1 195 3/28/86
Dusty Jackson - LW So. Minnesota (NAHL) 6'3 195 6/20/86
Tyler Bozak - RC Victoria (BCHL) 6' 175 3/19/86
Marc Cheverie - G Nanaimo (BCHL) 6'2 195 2/22/87
Jesse Martin - RC Tri-City (USHL) 5'10 170 9/7/88
Kyle Ostrow - LC Nanaimo (BCHL) 5'9 160 9/5/87

Sunbelt Conference "Lays Down The Law" To DU

From: Denver Post
by Mike Chambers

Despite new initiatives by the Sun Belt Conference, the University of Denver will "take a hard look" but does not expect to add five teams to meet the conference's standard.

As part of a comprehensive performance standard initiative release by the Sun Belt this week, conference officials want each member school to "sponsor a minimum of 15 sports in which the conference offers a championship."

The request gives DU and the University of New Orleans five years to reach that standard. DU currently has 10 sports that meet that standard.

DU assistant athletic director Ron Grahame views the Sun Belt's 15-sport initiative as an "expectation" and not a future bylaw that would force the Pioneers out of the New Orleans-based conference.

The full list of objectives was passed 13-0 in a vote by all 13 member schools. Grahame said the Pioneers, who continue to look at other conference opportunities, are capable of meeting all of them but aren't concerned about the ones that they don't.

"It's fair to say that we're a partner, and a good partner, in the Sun Belt, and we'd make a hard look at meeting that (15-sport) expectation," Grahame said. "But we're not going to go out and add five sports in the next year. We'll take the next couple years and, I would expect over time, that we would identify sports that would get us to that minimum."

The Sun Belt is emphasizing full participation and improvement in men's and women's basketball, football, baseball, softball, volleyball and women's soccer. Grahame said DU would consider adding baseball and softball, but not football.

The most poignant new initiative focuses on men's basketball. Based on overall RPI, the Sun Belt was 20th nationally last season.

Besides improving its RPI, the Sun Belt is asking all members to increase average attendance up to 50 percent of seating capacity and season-ticket sales 25 percent of capacity. The Sun Belt also wants all games to be played against Division I teams.

DU hopes to carve its conference niche in men's basketball. The Pioneers' strong hockey, gymnastics and skiing programs are not affiliated with the Sun Belt.

"By hiring (men's basketball coach) Joe Scott and putting the emphasis on basketball, we're going to raise the level of play, and that's the best way to raise attendance," Grahame said. "With Coach Scott and what were trying to do, meeting the initiatives, we think, is going to be a natural process."

Hockey's Future Profiles USA Evaluation Camp

A feature article in Hockey's Future mentions that Tyler Ruegsegger & Rhett Rakhshani have a "step up" on most of the other forwards in making the USA Under 20 National team in December due to their strong performances last week.

WCHA Early Departure List

Found this list over at Brad Schlossman's North Dakota Hockey Blog. He only counted Seniors who played in at least 50% of their team's games.

Denver -- 3 (Graduated 8 Seniors)
Jr. forward Ryan Dingle
Jr. forward Geoff Paukovich
Fr. defenseman Keith Seabrook (WHL)

Minnesota -- 3 (Graduated 5 Seniors)
Fr. defenseman Erik Johnson
Jr. defenseman Alex Goligoski
Fr. forward-defenseman Jim O'Brien

UND -- 2 (Graduated 4 Seniors)
So. forward Jonathan Toews
So. defenseman Brian Lee

Wisconsin -- 2 (Graduated 9 Seniors)
So. forward Jack Skille
Jr. defenseman Joe Piskula

Minnesota-Duluth -- 2 (Graduated 6 Seniors)
So. defenseman Matt Niskanen
So. forward Mason Raymond

Alaska-Anchorage -- 2 (Graduated 7 Seniors)
So. forward Jay Beagle (ECHL)
Jr. goaltender Nathan Lawson (destination unknown)

St. Cloud State -- 1 (Graduated 8 Seniors)
Jr. forward Andrew Gordon

MSU-Mankato -- 1 (Graduated 5 Seniors)
Jr. defenseman Steve Wagner

CC -- 0 (Graduated 5 Seniors)

Michigan Tech -- 0 (Graduated 4 Seniors)

USA Under 18's Fall to Finns 5-3
DU Recruits Held Scoreless

From: USA Hockey's Website

PIESTANY, Slovakia – Despite Philip McRae’s two-goal effort, the U.S. Under-18 Select Team fell to Finland, 5-3, here today in its second game of the 2007 Under-18 Memorial of Ivan Hlinka at Zimny Stadium. DU recruits Nate Dewhurst and Matt Donovan failed to score.

The U.S. Under-18 Select Team returns to action tomorrow when it takes on Slovakia at 1 p.m. EDT at Zimny Stadium in Piestany, Slovakia.

USA Under 18's Drop First Game To Russia
DU Recruit Nate Dewhurst Scores PP Goal

From: USA Hockey Website

DU recruit Nate Dewhurst (on right) scored a power play goal today against Russia's Under-18 Team

PIESTANY, Slovakia – The U.S. Under-18 Select Team fell to Russia, 5-3, here today in the opening game of the 2007 Under-18 Memorial of Ivan Hlinka at Zimny Stadium. DU recruit Nate Dewhurst (Johnston, Iowa) managed to score a power play goal in the third period but it was no match for the Russians who tallied four power-play goals in the win.

Dewhurst's goal made it a 4-2 game when he notched a power-play goal with just 24 seconds remaining on the man advantage at 10:55. With traffic in front of the net, Alistratov dove for the puck, but Dewhurst got to it first and put the puck into the open net.

“We started a little flat, but got better as the game went on,” said Team USA Head Coach Roger Grillo. “While it was disappointing to lose the game, there were a lot of positives that we can take into the next game and the rest of the tournament.”

The U.S. Under-18 Select team returns to action tomorrow when it takes on Finland at 9 a.m. EDT at Zimny Stadium in Piestany, Slovakia.

NOTES: Skip Vallee, the U.S. Ambassador to Slovakia, spoke to the team in the locker room after watching the game. Vallee, originally from Vermont, played hockey at Williams College (Mass.)...There was no word on how Matt Donovan (DU's other recruit on the team) fared.

USA Under 18's Win Tournament Tune-up
DU Recruit Nate Dewhurst Leads Charge

From: USA Hockey

(left) Nate Dewhurst scored a power play goal in an exhibition game on Sunday

UHERSKY BROD, Czech Republic -- DU Recruit Nate Dewhurst scored a powerplay goal to help lead the U.S. Under-18 Select Team to a 5-4 victory over the Czech Republic on Sunday in a tune-up for the 2007 Under-18 Memorial of Ivan Hlinka. The annual tournament will run from August 14-18 in Piestany, Slovakia and Hodonin, Czech Republic.

“It was a perfect exhibition game,” said Team USA Head Coach Roger Grillo, who is the head men’s ice hockey coach at Brown University. “The guys played hard and got better as the game went on. They adapted well and didn’t let a little adversity get them off track - they stayed focused on their goal, which was to win the game.

The first four goals of the game went back and forth between the two teams, with the Czechs striking first at the 4:38 mark of the opening frame. Team USA’s Philip McRae was next to get on the score sheet at 7:41, followed by another Czech tally at 9:18 and Mattson’s first of the game at 9:34. Courtesy of a Nate Dewhurst (Johnston, Iowa) power-play goal at 14:04 that broke the back-and-forth scoring pattern, the United States took a 3-2 lead heading into the second period.

In the early part of period two, the Czech Republic was able to gain a 4-3 lead on back-to-back goals at 26:43 and 27:40. However, Team USA bounced back again, as David Warsofsky put one in the back of the net at 16:33 for a 4-4 score.

The lone goal of the final stanza came from Mattson at 16:47 to seal the victory for Team USA.

The United States will open play in the 2007 Under-18 Memorial of Ivan Hlinka on Tuesday (Aug. 14) at 9 a.m. EDT versus Russia at Zimny Stadium in Piestany, Slovakia.

Two DU Recruits Make USA Under-18 Roster
Future DU Stars Donovan & Dewhurst Anchor Team USA

UHERSKY BROD, Czech Republic - After all the excitement of the National Junior Evaluation camp, this week finds us covering the 2007 Under-18 Memorial of Ivan Hlinka tournament includes teams from Canada, the Czech Republic, Finland, Russia, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland and the United States. The tournament was called the Junior World Cup until 2005

DU recruits Nate Dewhurst from Johnston, Iowa is one of the emerging stars of the future at forward, while Matt Donovan from Oklahoma City anchors the defense.

Matt Donovan, 17, was selected in the first round of May’s United States Hockey League draft with the tenth overall selection. The Edmond, Oklahoma, native played midget hockey for the Dallas Junior Stars last season.

Team members were chosen from the 2007 USA Hockey Select 17 Player Development Camp, which was held July 7-13 at the National Hockey Center at St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, Minn., and featured many of America’s best hockey players born in 1990. Former DU Assistant Coach Seth Appert is a coach on the team.

Tournament Schedule

Date	Match-up	Time (Local/EDT) or Result
Aug. 12	USA vs. Czech Republic*	W, 5-4
Aug. 14	USA vs. Russia	9 a.m./11 a.m.
Aug. 15	USA vs. Finland	9 a.m./11 a.m.
Aug. 16	USA vs. Slovakia	7 p.m./1 p.m.
Aug. 18	USA vs. TBD	TBD

Will Rakhshani & Ruegsegger Make Team USA?

Now that the USA Evaluation Camp is over and the players have returned home or to their respective teams, the debate over who will be selected begins.

The wags on the Hockey Future's Message Board are never short opinions, and since their hockey knowledge is honed by countless hours sitting in front of a keyboard, we'll post their choices for the USA Under 20 Team to compete in the Czech Republic after Christmas. They seem to agree that Rakhshani & Ruegsegger will make the team.

Forwards
VanRiemsdyk (UNH) - White (MN) - Kane and/or Mueller(OHL)**
Rakhshani (DU) - Ruegsegger (DU)- Okposo (MN)
Sweatt (CC) - Carman (MN) - Rogers (Harvard)
Geoffrion (WI) - Tangradi (OHL) - Palushaj (USHL)
Wilson (BU)
** Kane & Mueller's participation will be determined if they are playing in the NHL in December

Defensemen
Summers (MI) - Shattenkirk (BU)
McDonagh (WI) - Fischer (MN)
Strait (BU) - McBain (WI)
Ratchuk (MSU) or Montgomery (OHL)

Goaltenders
J.Smith (OHL)
J. Unice (OHL)

Melissa Wade Captures DU Players At USA Camp
Action Photo's From Last Friday Against Finland

(above) Can Rakhshani "Bend it like Beckham?"

Photo Credit: Melissa Wade

(above) Rhett Rakhshani, Ben Smith (BC) and Ian Cole (Notre Dame) salute after the anthem

Photo Credit: Melissa Wade

(above) Tyler Ruegsegger remains on the bench after losing his helmet on the ice

Photo Credit: Meilssa Wade

(above) Tyler Ruegsegger is defended against by Patrik Lundh

Photo Credit: Melissa Wade

Kyle Okposo congratulates Ruegsegger after he makes it 5-2 for the US in the 3rd period

Photo Credit: Melissa Wade

(above) Ben Smith, Doug Rogers and Rakhshani celebrate Rogers' goal which gave the US their final 9-2 score in the final minute of the game

Photo Credit: Meilssa Wade

Paukovich Talks About Signing With Oilers
ECHL Likely Starting Point For Pro Career

From: Rocky Mountain News & Hockey's Future
by Pat Rooney & Guy Flaming

Geoff Paukovich decided to forgo his senior season by signing a three-year entry-level contract with the Edmonton Oilers. The 6-foot-4 Paukovich, an Englewood native, was a second- round selection (57th overall) of Edmonton in 2004.
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After pondering his choices throughout the summer and consulting with former Pioneers now in the NHL, particularly Avalanche forward and former DU classmate Paul Stastny, Paukovich decided it was time to sign on the dotted line.
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"I took my time with the decision," Paukovich said. "If I went pro, I wanted to make sure I was comfortable with the decision. It is a completely different lifestyle in the pros."
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The Colorado native just completed his junior season with the Pioneers in which he struggled early before finding his form in the second half. Paukovich's size will enable him to handle the physical play as a pro, but with an already full to capacity minor league system it will be interesting to see where he ends up. Clearly the Oilers felt that Paukovich’s college career was not providing the level of development they feel he will receive even if the center ends up in Stockton (ECHL) with the Thunder.
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“I think anytime you can get into that 82-game pro schedule it’s going to be tough,” admitted Paukovich to HF recently. “I’m looking forward to starting my pro career.”
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Paukovich added that he at times felt frustrated in Denver with being stuck in an defensive-first role. After producing well offensively before his college days, the imposing center felt he could contribute to the Pioneers in that fashion but didn’t receive much opportunity in that regard. The former second-round pick plans to come to camp early if he can convince a former Pioneer to put him up.
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“I’ll talk to ‘Fish’ to see if I can stay with him,” he said referring to fellow Oiler prospect Glenn Fisher.
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Thus far Paukovich has only made one appearance in Edmonton, last year during prospect camp. The student was still taking exams when this year’s edition of the camp was scheduled, a frustrating thing for Paukovich.
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“Yeah it was frustrating because I remember from last year how good it was for me in terms of my offseason training,” he said.

DU Campers Wrap Up In Style Against Finland
Rakhshani Sits Atop Camp Scoresheet

From: USA Hockey Website

Final Evaluation Camp Stats From WCHA Blog

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. – Two U.S. teams comprised of the top 45 players under the age of 20 swept Under-20 teams from Finland and Sweden here today to conclude the 2007 USA Hockey National Junior Evaluation Camp. USA White defeated Finland, 5-3, in the first game, while USA Blue beat Sweden, 5-2, in the second game. DU players Rhett Rakhshani had a goal and two assists, whileTyler Ruegsegger chipped in a power play goal for USA White.

In the first game, Brian Day was awarded a penalty shot for USA White after he was hauled down from behind while on a breakaway at the 4:15 mark of the first period. On the attempt, Day’s wrist shot from the right face-off circle beat Finland's goalie, low to give USA White a 1-0 lead. Fifty-six seconds later, Tony Romano’s wraparound attempt slid to Matt Rust who tapped the puck into the wide-open Finland goal. USA White extended its lead to 3-0 when Ben Smith fired a wrist shot that rang off the left post and in. Rakhshani was credited with an assist. Finland scored on a Jan-Mikael Juutilainen slap shot to narrow the deficit to two goals before the second stanza.
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Finland opened the scoring in the second period after Sakari Salminen redirected Joonas Lehtivuori’s shot up and over the left shoulder of Team White netminder Josh Unice. USA White answered back with a Tyler Ruegsegger (Lakewood, Colo.) power-play goal assisted by Rakhshani at the 10:50 mark to give the team a 4-2 advantage. Salminen scored his second goal of the game on a breakaway to make it a 4-3 score heading into the final frame.
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Rhett Rakhshani (Huntington Beach, Calif.) fired a wrist shot into the top-right corner of the Finland net at the 2:51 mark of the third period to account for the 5-3 final.
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NOTES: Rhett Rakhshani, Kyle Okposo & Patrick Kane found themselves atop the camp leaderboard in points. Rakhshani (5-5), Okposo (4-6) and Kane (6-4) finished the camp with ten points. Tyler Ruegsegger was tied for fourth on the leaderboard with 2 goals and 5 assists..

R & R Lead USA White Over Sweden 9-2
DU Players Rack Up A Goal & Assist Each

From: USA Hockey Website

(left) Tyler Ruegsegger (#19) of Team USA White battles for position with a Team Finland player during an exhibition game in Herb Brooks Arena in Lake Placid, New York. Ruegsegger has a goal and 5 assists in the camp.

Photo by Phillip MacCallum/Getty Images

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. – Two U.S. teams comprised of the top 45 players under the age of 20 swept Under-20 teams from Sweden and Finland yesterday at USA Hockey’s National Junior Evaluation Camp. USA White defeated Sweden, 9-2, in the first game, while USA Blue beat Finland, 4-1, in the nightcap.
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USA White struck first in the early game when Ben Ryan beat Sweden goalie Eddie Lack with a low slap shot to the stick side with just over five minutes remaining in the first period. Goaltender Joe Palmer stopped all 10 shots he faced in the period to give USA White a 1-0 lead heading into the second.

Cade Fairchild (Duluth, Minn.) scored a power-play goal just 20 seconds into the second period after his shot from the point ricocheted off the post and in. Minutes later, Mark Arcobello’s no-look pass found defenseman T.J. Brennan, who snapped a shot past the outstretched glove of Lack to give USA White a 3-0 lead. Sweden scored two goals less than two minutes apart midway through the stanza and trailed 3-2 after two periods.

In the final frame, Kyle Okposo (St. Paul, Minn.) tallied his fourth goal of the camp when he tapped a rebound into the open net after Lack stopped Jonathon Blum’s slap shot from the right point. Later in the third, Okposo passed to a streaking Tyler Ruegsegger (Lakewood, Colo.), who slid the puck between Lack’s pads to make it a 5-2 game. Arcobello notched his third point of the game when he intercepted a pass, split two Sweden defensemen, and lifted the puck over Lack’s shoulder for a shorthanded goal. USA White scored three more times with goals by Rhett Rakhshani (Huntington Beach, Calif.), Blum and Doug Rogers to account for the 9-2 final.

Palmer picked up the win with 24 saves for USA White. Arcobello and Okposo finished the game with three points each. Okposo leads all point-getters in the camp, with seven (4-3).

Carle Enjoys Summer In Alaska
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From: San Jose Sharks Website

Sharks defenseman & DU alumnus Matt Carle has spent more time away from home than the average 22-year-old, having left home as a 15-year-old to further his hockey career. This summer, the man who set the Sharks rookie record for points (11+31=42) by a blueliner is back home in Alaska catching up on some lost time.

“Mostly, I spend time with my family and work out,” said Carle. “I see some of my old buddies.”

When Carle left home as a 15-year-old, his brother David was 10 and his youngest brother Alex was six. Basically, they were just old enough to be typical pesky brothers. Now when he returns home, the relationships are a little different.

“David is now 17 and we go to the gym and hang out,” said Carle. “Alex is 13 so we’re just getting him started.”

David is a solid hockey player in his own right, playing for Shattuck-St. Mary’s, the famed prep hockey factory.

“He’s up in Minnesota so every time we play the Wild, I get tickets,” said Carle. “Hopefully in a couple of years he’ll give college a try like I did. They both grew up so rapidly after I left.”

By leaving Anchorage to play for the U.S. National Development team, the United States Hockey League and for the Denver Pioneers, Carle paved his way to the NHL, but he also left the nest extremely early. That is why hanging with his family is so important to Carle.

In general, the family is happy with the simpler things and being together. His parents built a lake house north of Anchorage this past year and the boys have been heading up every weekend.

“It’s a relaxing weekend away from home,” said Carle. “It’s just hanging with family and friends. We have a couple of jet skis and we went on a couple of fishing trips. I caught one that would compete with what Tim Hunter caught. It was a 35-40 pound King Salmon. We cooked it that night.” (Click here to read about Tim Hunter’s recent fishing trip)

Carle added his own touch to the Anchorage home by giving his parents a hot tub for their 25th wedding anniversary.

“We have a lot of time to sit on the deck, play cards and catch up,” said Carle. “We’re not as close as I’d like because of the hockey season, so I like to take advantage of the time we have.”

If he gets lucky, Carle could get a chance to make up for lost time by having a brother for a teammate down the road.

Melissa Wade & USCHO.com Captures Rhett In Action

(above) Despite Rhett Rakhshani's collision with Jeremy Smith, his goal would count as the game-winner against USA Blue in a scrimmage

Photo Credit: Melissa Wade

(above) Jimmy Hayes holds off Rahkshani (red) in front of Joe Palmer (Ohio State) in practice

Photo Credit: Melissa Wade

(above) Rakhshani gets dumped after his goal which put the USA up 3-1 over Sweden

Photo Credit: Melissa Wade

(above) This pose should look familiar to Pioneer fans

Photo Credit: Melissa Wade