Denver Pioneers hockey

Mapping DU hockey’s improbable path to its 11th national title

In a roller-coaster season, the Denver Pioneers finished on top with yet another national championship to again assert themselves as the gold standard of NCAA Division I hockey.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 11: Kristian Epperson #8 of the Denver Pioneers celebrates with the trophy after the team's 2-1 victory over the Wisconsin Badgers to win the NCAA Division I men's ice hockey championship game at T-Mobile Arena on April 11, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Members of the Denver Pioneers celebrate with the trophy after the victory against the Wisconsin Badgers in the NCAA Division I men's ice hockey championship game at T-Mobile Arena on April 11, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

DU Pioneers remain college hockey’s premier program, even as landscape changes

2 weeks ago

Johnny Hicks #31 of the Denver Pioneers celebrates with Garrett Brown #5 and Boston Buckberger #9 after the victory against the Wisconsin Badgers in the NCAA Division I men's ice hockey championship game at T-Mobile Arena on April 11, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

PHOTOS: DU Pioneers win 11th national championship at Frozen Four behind Johnny Hicks’ 29 saves

2 weeks ago

DU Pioneers win 11th national championship at Frozen Four behind Johnny Hicks’ 29 saves

By Corey Masisak

April 11, 2026 at 8:20 p.m.

Two years after Matthew Davis put together a legendary run to help the University of...

Denver goaltender Johnny Hicks (31) knocks the puck away against Michigan in overtime of a semifinal game in the NCAA Frozen Four men's college hockey tournament Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

At Frozen Four, not even a scary collision can stop DU Pioneers sensation Johnny Hicks

By Corey Masisak

April 10, 2026 at 5:24 p.m.

For a couple of breathless moments Thursday night, it appeared that Johnny Hicks' incredible, improbable...

Denver defenseman Kent Anderson (21) celebrates after scoring against the Michigan in the second overtime of a semifinal game in the NCAA Frozen Four men's college hockey tournament Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

DU Pioneers outlast Michigan in double OT at Frozen Four, dream run continues to NCAA title game

By Corey Masisak

April 10, 2026 at 6:20 a.m.

This was a heist Danny Ocean might not have believed possible.

Denver Pioneers defenseman Eric Pohlkamp (23), Johnny Hicks (31) and Boston Buckberger (9) celebrate with the crowd after winning at Blue FCU Arena on Sunday, March 29, 2026, in Loveland, Colo. Denver Pioneers beat the Western Michigan Broncos 6-2 in the NCAA Regional Playoff game.(Photo by Rebecca Slezak/Special to The Denver Post)

DU hockey Frozen Four preview: Pioneers seek record-extending 11th national title in Las Vegas

By Kyle Newman

April 8, 2026 at 9:34 a.m.

DU hockey went from treading water to the doorstep of a national title.

University of Denver鈥檚 goaltender Johnny Hicks (31) makes a save saves against Cornell鈥檚 Jake Kraft (10) during the 1st period of the NCAA West Regional at Blue Arena in Loveland, Colorado on Friday, March 27, 2026. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)

How University of Denver hockey’s undersized freshman goalie propelled Pioneers to another Frozen Four

By Kyle Newman

April 4, 2026 at 5:45 a.m.

Johnny Hicks shut his mouth so he could stop the shots.

Denver Pioneers head coach David Carle speaks after the game at Blue FCU Arena on Sunday, March 29, 2026, in Loveland, Colo. Denver Pioneers beat the Western Michigan Broncos 6-2 in the NCAA Regional Playoff game. (Photo by Rebecca Slezak/Special to The Denver Post)

Keeler: Sean Payton? Deion Sanders? Nah. DU’s David Carle, off to a third straight Frozen Four, is Colorado’s best coach

By Sean Keeler

March 29, 2026 at 7:31 p.m.

This Denver Pioneers hockey team, the first at DU to ever clinch a third straight...

Denver Pioneers defenseman Kent Anderson (21) slaps the Denver sticker on the Frozen Four poster after winning at Blue FCU Arena on Sunday, March 29, 2026, in Loveland, Colo. Denver Pioneers beat the Western Michigan Broncos 6-2 in the NCAA Regional Playoff game. (Photo by Rebecca Slezak/Special to The Denver Post)

University of Denver Pioneers roll to third straight Frozen Four after dispatching Western Michigan

By Corey Masisak

March 29, 2026 at 8:05 p.m.

Two years ago, Matt Davis became a legend around here with a magical postseason run.

The University of Denver鈥檚 Sam Harris (12) celebrates his goal against Cornell with Pioneers teammates during the second period of the NCAA West Regional at Blue Arena in Loveland on Friday, March 27, 2026. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)

University of Denver Pioneers cruise past Cornell in NCAA opener, keeping Frozen Four hopes alive

By Corey Masisak

March 27, 2026 at 8:11 p.m.

Finally getting some home cooking in the NCAA tournament worked out quite well for the...

Denver Pioneers forward Samu Salminen (11) skates with the puck in the Denver Pioneers鈥� zone in the second period at Magness Arena on Saturday, March 21, 2026. Denver Pioneers played the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs 2026 NCHC Frozen Faceoff Championship. (Photo by Rebecca Slezak/Special to The Denver Post)

DU hockey heads to Loveland for NCAA Regionals, takes on Cornell on Friday at Blue Arena

By Kyle Newman

March 22, 2026 at 3:36 p.m.

The last time the Pioneers traveled this path, it ended with a trophy.

Denver Pioneers defenseman Kristian Epperson (8) celebrates after scoring in double overtime at Magness Arena on Saturday, March 21, 2026. Denver Pioneers defeated the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs for the 2026 NCHC Frozen Faceoff Championship. (Photo by Rebecca Slezak/Special to The Denver Post)

DU Pioneers outlast Minnesota Duluth in double-OT thriller to win NCHC Frozen Faceoff Championship

By Kyle Newman

March 22, 2026 at 6:43 a.m.

With 10 golden rectangular reminders looming in the rafters, the Denver Pioneers made a championship...

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