Mr. President, I rise today for the second year in a row to recognize the recent achievement of the University of Denver Hockey Team. On April 9, 2005, almost a year to the day that they won the 2004…
Mr. President, I rise today for the second year in a row to recognize the recent achievement of the University of Denver Hockey Team. On April 9, 2005, almost a year to the day that they won the 2004 Men's NCAA Division I Championship on the frigid ice of a Boston arena, the Pioneers repeated their amazing feat capturing a second national title in Columbus, OH at this year's Frozen Four. On this particular evening the University of Denver Pioneers defeated the North Dakota Fighting Sioux by a score of 4-1, clinching a seventh overall hockey championship.
At the helm of the University of Denver hockey team for the last 11 years has been coach George Gwozdecky. Coach Gwozdecky came to DU in 1994 and has compiled an impressive record at DU, including his 400th win as a coach a few short weeks ago and his 405th win in the national title game. Coach Gwozdecky has shaped the Pioneer program into one of the elite programs in all of collegiate sports, and he is the only NCAA coach to win a national hockey title as a player, assistant coach, and head coach.
Later today the University of Denver campus will host a rally in honor of the Pioneer hockey champions. While I regret that I can not be there in person to commend this fantastic team, I would like to honor just a few of the great players that made this repeat championship possible. Freshman Peter Mannino, named the Most Outstanding Player of this year's Frozen Four, made an astonishing 44 saves in the championship game including a 23 shot barrage in the third period. Forward Paul Stastny scored two of the Pioneer's four goals with Jeff Drummond and Gabe Gauthier each adding one. Five Pioneers, Forwards Gauthier and Stastny, Defensemen Matt Carle and Brett Skinner, and goalie Mannino were named to the All-Tournament Team.
Today I share my congratulations with the entire University of Denver community. Winning a national title is a rare and precious accomplishment. Winning two championships in a row is all the more rare. This achievement reflects the hard work and dedication of many people. Congratulations to all the DU Pioneers. Congratulations to Chancellor Daniel Ritchie, Provost Bob Coombe, President Mark Holtzman, Interim Director of Athletics Stuart Halsall, Coach Gwozdecky and his staff, and especially the Pioneer players, students and fans. You have made us all very proud.
