The two-time defending NCAA champion University of Denver hockey team is primed to play all of its 2005-06 home games before sellout crowds at Magness Arena.
The Pioneers, who last season sold out their 21 regular-season and playoff games, began selling single-game tickets Saturday. Within two hours, nine of 18 regular-season games were down to single seats and obstructed views, according to DU associate athletic director for marketing Dave Madsen.
“Other games have limited availability, and so with the 21 sellouts last year, the growth of the season-ticket base and the activity (Saturday), I would certainly expect to see all of our games sold out this season,” Madsen said.
Madsen declined to reveal what the season-ticket base is at Magness, which seats 6,026 for hockey.
He said it has increased 25 percent from last season.
“It’s gratifying that so many fans that tried us last year during the title defense made the decision to be season ticket-holders this year,” Madsen said.
The nine near-sellouts include the first six home games: the Oct. 22 home opener against Notre Dame; the Nov. 4-5 homecoming and 2004 title banner- raising series against Michigan Tech; the Nov. 18-19 series against Minnesota; and the Dec. 3 showdown against Colorado College.
Few tickets remain for a February series against North Dakota and a March 3 game against CC.
Back on campus
Further signs point to Brett Skinner being the only early departure from DU’s championship team.
Senior center Gabe Gauthier and junior defenseman Matt Carle, two of DU’s three 2005 All-Americans, have returned to Denver and are registered for classes that begin Monday.
“They’re here, ready to go and we fully expect them to be with us this season,” Pioneers assistant coach Seth Appert said.
Skinner signed with Vancouver of the NHL and will attend the Canucks’ training camp this week.
Mike Chambers can be reached at 303-820-5453 or mchambers@denverpost.com.
