University Of Denver Hockey National Championship
The University of Denver Pioneers men's ice hockey team is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I college ice hockey program that represents the University of Denver. The Pioneers have won eight NCAA national championships in men's hockey: 1958, 1960, 1961, 1968, 1969, 2004, 2005, and 2017.
The Beginning Of A Championship Legacy
The Pioneers began their championship legacy in 1958, when they won their first NCAA national championship. The team was coached by long-time Denver head coach Murray Armstrong, and featured future Hall of Famers Keith Magnuson and Cliff Koroll. The Pioneers defeated rival North Dakota 6-2 in the championship game, led by captain Jim Logan's two goals.
Back-To-Back Championships
The Pioneers continued their success in the early 1960s, winning back-to-back NCAA national championships in 1960 and 1961. The team was led by Hobey Baker Award winner and future Hall of Famer Bill Masterton, who scored the championship-winning goal in both championship games.
A Dominant Duo
The Pioneers won their fourth NCAA national championship in 1968, with a dominant duo of future NHL stars in goalie Gerry Powers and forward Jim Wiste. The team went 28-1-1 on the season, and defeated North Dakota 4-0 in the championship game.
A Repeat In The 1969
The Pioneers repeated as NCAA national champions in 1969, led by forwards Keith Magnuson and Cliff Koroll. Magnuson was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player, and Denver defeated Cornell 4-3 in the championship game
Another Championship Drought
After their success in the 1960s, the Pioneers experienced a championship drought that lasted until 2004. During this time, the team was still consistently competitive, but could not bring home another championship.
The Beginning Of A New Era
In 2004, the Pioneers began a new era of dominance, winning their first NCAA national championship in 35 years. The team was coached by George Gwozdecky, and featured future NHL players Paul Stastny, Matt Carle, and Peter Mannino. The Pioneers defeated Maine 1-0 in the championship game, with Gabe Gauthier scoring the game-winning goal.
Back-To-Back Championships (Again)
The Pioneers repeated as NCAA national champions in 2005, becoming just the second team in school history to win back-to-back championships. The team was again led by Paul Stastny, who was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player. The Pioneers defeated North Dakota 4-1 in the championship game.
The Most Recent Championship
The Pioneers won their most recent NCAA national championship in 2017, defeating Minnesota Duluth 3-2 in the championship game. The team was coached by Jim Montgomery, and featured Hobey Baker Award winner Will Butcher and NHL draft picks Troy Terry and Henrik Borgström.
Conclusion
The University of Denver Pioneers men's ice hockey team has a championship legacy that spans over six decades. With eight NCAA national championships, including back-to-back championships twice, the Pioneers are one of the most successful college hockey programs in history. They continue to be a force in college hockey today, and are always a threat to win another championship.
