Vail native J.P. Testwuide is the first Colorado-born player to captain the University of Denver hockey team. The senior defenseman also is one-half of the most interesting twist in the Pioneers’ 60-year rivalry with Colorado College. Testwuide’s younger brother, Mike, is a junior forward and assistant captain for the No. 1-ranked Tigers (4-0-2). No. 4 Denver (4-1) begins its annual four-game Gold Pan series against CC this weekend, with games Friday at Magness Arena and Sunday at the Colorado Springs World Arena. On Wednesday, J.P. (John Paul) Testwuide (pronounced Test-weed) spoke with college hockey writer Mike Chambers about little brother and life.
Q: Since your brother arrived at CC two years ago, DU hasn’t come close to winning the Gold Pan, going 0-3-1 in 2006-07 and 1-3 last season. That has to hurt, huh?
A: Yep, but I don’t know what to say about that. See what happens this weekend.
Q: What have you and Mike talked about this week?
A: We speak every night. (Tuesday) I asked him how the Clarkson games went, and he said it was just a long road trip. He was tired.
Q: Your mother, Janet, wears her heart on her sleeves, donning the half-DU, half-CC jersey in these games. Do you think it might be too tough on her?
A: She has a hard time at the DU-CC games, but I think she loves it in general. She’s a CC fan one day and a DU fan the other day. She has fun.
Q: Word is you tried to eat like a Roman recently — one big meal a day?
A: It’s called the Warrior Diet, but I modified it. It would take a long time to explain.
Q: What was your first reaction when Mike signed with CC?
A: I was excited. It’s a dream to play at this level, and I knew how much he wanted to come back to Colorado. I was really happy he was able to fulfill his dreams.
Q: As the sons of former ski bums, and since your father was a former Vail executive, I assume your parents taught you how to ski pretty well. Are you and Mike double-black diamond worthy?
A: We get up on the hill together but we don’t take it too seriously.
Q: This series has been known to become chippy. Do you see that happening this weekend?
A: Yeah, probably. It’s two good teams going at it, and everybody is going to lay it all on the ice.
Q: What’s the best thing about the DU-CC rivalry?
A: The home-and-home. One night you’re at home and the next you’re down there, or vice versa. We love our home rink and playing down there is awesome.
Top five
J.P. Testwuide’s top five memories with brother Mike:
1. Sailing in the Virgin Islands.
2. Fishing at our ranch in Vail.
3. Playing pond hockey at Paul Golden’s pond
4. Playing junior-A together in Waterloo (Iowa).
5. Going to school together at Northwood School (Lake Placid, N.Y.).
