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All Things Denver, XXVIII

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Re: All Things Denver, XXVIII

Today is 09/05/10.
There are 27 days until DU's next game.

Wearing #27 for DU is freshman forward Dan Olszewski.

This is based upon the first exhibition game on October 2nd.
 
Re: All Things Denver, XXVIII

Today is 09/06/10.
There are 26 days until DU's next game.

Wearing #26 for DU is sophomore forward Shawn Ostrow.

This is based upon the first exhibition game on October 2nd.
 
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Re: All Things Denver, XXVIII

Today is 09/07/10.
There are 25 days until DU's next game.

This is based upon the first exhibition game on October 2nd.
 
Re: All Things Denver, XXVIII

A little shout-out to all the Pioneer athletes from many varsity teams (male and female) who helped out with the move-in of the the first-year students into the residence halls. They have been doing this for a few years now, and it's a great idea.

I'm sure for many freshman parents, seeing DU's Division I athletes helping their nervous kids move in must have changed a few opinions and negative perceptions about athletes. And for the new students, it probably also makes them more favorably dispsosed towards their new school and how athletes are part of the Pioneer family, just like they are.
 
Re: All Things Denver, XXVIII

Interesting to see he got an engineering degree and a management degree. Looks like he's got the smarts :) Good pick-up to take Zucker's coaching spot.

Although he is not listed on the DU roster on the website, I am able to 100% confirm that Justin Jones, son of former NBA player Popeye Jones and current NJ Nets Assistant Coach, is the 8th freshman that will play for DU this season.
 
Re: All Things Denver, XXVIII

#'s 2, 12, 13 and 25 are still available for Justin Jones unless he goes for what is normally considered a goalie's number.
BTW did you know no one has ever worn #32?
 
Re: All Things Denver, XXVIII

OK, is this season ever going to start?:confused: If they don't drop the puck soon, I'm going to freak out!! It is interesting to look forward to a season with so many question marks. Remember last year we were ranked way up at the top in the pre-season polls, we had huge expectations. As for this year?, we have a great Freshman class (but we say that every year), we have some awesome returning players (we always do), but goal tending?? It is going to be interesting for sure. I know we've seen some line possibilities, can anyone post those so we can have something to talk about?
 
Re: All Things Denver, XXVIII

In 2005, DU started four Freshmen in the NC game against UND (Mannino, Stastny, Dingle & Thomas). DU could start four Freshmen most nights this season if they wanted to (Brittain, Zucker, Bennett & Makowski).

I'm very confident DU can finish in the top two in the WCHA this season.

Forwards
K. Ostrow (Sr) - Martin (Sr) - Maiani (Sr)
Zucker (Fr) - D. Shore (So) - Bennett (Fr)
Jackson (rs-Jr) - N. Shore (Fr) - Knowlton (So)
S. Ostrow (So) - Olszewski (Fr) - Dewhurst (Jr)
Salazar (Jr) / Mermis (Fr) / Jones (Fr)

Defensemen
Donovan (So) - Lee (Jr)
Nutini (Sr) - Makowski (Fr)
Phillips (So) - Wrenn (So)
Ryder (rs-Jr) / Brehm (Sr) / Cook (Sr)

Goaltenders
Brittain (Fr) / Murray (So) / Rosenholtz (Sr)

MVP
Anthony Maiani

Freshman Of The Year
Sam Brittain

Most Improved Player
Paul Phillips

Defensive Player Of The Year
Matt Donovan​
 
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Re: All Things Denver, XXVIII

Dmann said:
OK, is this season ever going to start?:confused: If they don't drop the puck soon, I'm going to freak out!! It is interesting to look forward to a season with so many question marks. Remember last year we were ranked way up at the top in the pre-season polls, we had huge expectations. As for this year?, we have a great Freshman class (but we say that every year), we have some awesome returning players (we always do), but goal tending?? It is going to be interesting for sure. I know we've seen some line possibilities, can anyone post those so we can have something to talk about?
Click to expand...



Here's how I'd rate:

DU offense:

Right now, I'd give it a C going into the season. Last year, DU had a solid B+ offense, but losing Rakhshani, Ruegsegger, Colborne and Wiercioch is going to hurt. Bennett and Zucker will help from a newcomer standpoint, but given the returning guys are going to need to step up huge just to replace what was lost, a 3.0 GPG offense would be a real achievement. Anthony Maiani, Kyle Ostrow and Jesse Martin will be counted on for veteran production, and Zucker and Bennett will need to be top six performers right off the bat. From there, it's mystery time. Drew Shore needs to step up and produce now. And it would be good to see guys like Knowlton, Dewhurst, and Dusty Jackson contribute in the double digits. Shawn Ostrow is another mystery man. As is Salazar. As is Nick Shore. After you get beyond the top 5 or 6 six guys, DU is is a mystery offense.

Defense: Right now, I think DU defense is an A- group. This is where the Pioneers are deep and experienced. John Lee is one of the better shutdown d-men in the league, and Donovan is one of the top offensive d-men in the country. Add to that the hitting ability of John Ryder, the steady-as-she goes play of Chris Nutini, the upgraded puck moving of Paul Phillips and the overall potential of William Wrenn, and you have a very strong and experienced strong top six on paper. Makowski was the top d-man in the USHL last year, and he very well could push a more experienced guy out of a top six job this year as well. The Pioneers top 7 should be one of the better defenses in college hockey, and can keep teams under 3 GPG if the goaltenders help out with some solid play.

Goaltending: Grade now is an incomplete. Huge question mark coming in, no question. Murray started horribly last year, but in later action, began to show some signs that he can play as this level, but by no means has he been consistent yet. Brittain has never played a minute of college hockey yet. Bottom line is Lalonde must find a way to get at least one of these two guys to be a .900+ goalie this year. Goaltending from .900 to .920 would keep the Pioneers in some respectable territory. If one of them can play at a higher level (.920) DU can likely be a force in the WCHA, and if one of them can be a .930 or higher goalie, DU might have a shot at some glory. On the flip side, if the team goaltending is below .900, DU is likely going to be a bottom half WCHA team. With the rough schedule DU has up front, it would be really helpful if the goaltending is ready to go off the bat. The Pioneers have had excellent goaltending since the Dubie days, and hopefully, one or both of these guys is ready for the challenge.
 
Re: All Things Denver, XXVIII

Today is 09/08/10.
There are 24 days until DU's next game.

If you don't want to get hit, watch out for that "Big Yellow Truck" -- wearing #24 for DU is senior defenseman John Ryder.

This is based upon the first exhibition game on October 2nd.
 
Re: All Things Denver, XXVIII

Well, there you have it: consecutive posts on the upcoming season from entirely different perspectives. Swami puts on his green eyeshade and pronounces the goaltending and offense "iffy" and the defense "excellent." DG gets his white hat back from that very good looking honey and proclaims that sometimes freshmen step up and surprise us.

I think they're both right. The offense will be problematic but some guys will surprise us before it's all said and done. I'm thinking we can pull a North Dakota, playing our best at the end (for a change).
 
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