Magness Arena features an NHL-size ice sheet. But the home of the NCAA’s two-time defending champion University of Denver hockey team no longer conforms to professional standards.
The Pioneers have no plans to implement the NHL’s new dimensions regarding blue lines and end lines. Other programs have made the change, which is optional in the college ranks.
The second round of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association Tournament will be played at the Minnesota Wild’s arena in St. Paul, Minn., but DU players don’t foresee a problem.
“We’ll adapt, and we’ll be good to go,” sophomore goalie Peter Mannino said Saturday after DU’s first official practice of the season. “In a couple years, hopefully, they’ll make the changes here, but in the meantime we’ll get out there and get prepared when we have to play those games.”
The Pioneers will play on at least three different-size sheets this season, including the Olympic style used by six of the 10 teams in the WCHA.
Mannino said playing on so many different types of rinks is one of the things that makes college hockey so unique.
NHL rink dimensions are 200 feet long and 85 feet wide. The Olympic sheet is 200-by-100. But the NCAA allows hybrid sheets such as the ones at Wisconsin (200-by-97) and Minnesota-Duluth (190-by-85).
Captain’s corner
Saturday was the first opportunity for DU’s coaching staff to conduct full-squad, on-ice drills. Co-captains Gabe Gauthier and Matt Carle have led practice the past two weeks.
Coach George Gwozdecky implemented co-captains for the first time in his 12 years at DU after defenseman Brett Skinner gave up the job and his senior season in August to sign with the Canucks.
“Gabe’s a little more talkative than I am; I’m more of a quiet guy who leads by example,” Carle said. “I think we’ll complement each other really well.”
Gauthier is a senior center who has led DU in scoring the past two seasons. Carle, a junior defenseman, has been the WCHA’s top scoring blue liner the past two seasons.
Footnotes
Junior goalie Glenn Fisher, who will begin the season rotating starts with Mannino, said he gained 20 pounds over the summer and is at 192. Fisher, Mannino’s backup at the Frozen Four in April, is scheduled to start the season opener Oct. 14 at Maine. … Junior forward Brock McMorris is not practicing because of an ankle injury.
Mike Chambers can be reached at 303-820-5453 or mchambers@denverpost.com.
