Gwoz to leave Lightning to pursue other opportunities

Per the Tampa Bay Lightning team page, former Denver head coach George Gwozdecky is moving on after spending two season with the Lightning.

Tampa Bay Lightning team release - Assistant Coach George Gwozdecky is leaving the Tampa Bay Lightning to pursue other opportunities, Vice President and General Manager Steve Yzerman announced today. Gwozdecky has been with the Lightning on head coach Jon Cooper's staff for two seasons, most recently helping the franchise to the 2015 Eastern Conference Championship and a berth in the Stanley Cup Final.

"Jon Cooper and I, along with the entire Lightning organization, would like to thank George and his family for giving us the past two years," said Yzerman upon making the announcement. "He helped turn a young, unproven team into the Eastern Conference Champions and we appreciate his professionalism and dedication."

Gwozdecky joined the Lightning on August 9, 2013 after serving as the head coach at the University of Denver for 19 seasons. At Denver, Gwozdecky won back-to-back national championships (2004, 2005) and was named National Coach of the Year twice (1993, 2005). He also served as head coach at Miami (OH) University for five seasons and his 593 collegiate wins as a head coach rank 11th all-time in the NCAA.

"I have fulfilled my obligation with the Tampa Bay Lightning and I am going to take some time away to consider my next career step," said Gwozdecky. "I would like to thank owner Jeff Vinik, GM Steve Yzerman, coach Jon Cooper and the entire Lightning staff for two very memorable years."

In two seasons with Gwozdecky as an assistant, the Lightning won 96 of 164 regular season games, making back-to-back playoff appearances. The team begins the 2015 offseason after losing the Stanley Cup Final in six games to the Chicago Blackhawks. En route to the Stanley Cup Final, the Lightning defeated the Detroit Red Wings, the Montreal Canadiens and the New York Rangers

It will be interesting to see where Gwoz ends up next.

UND vs. DU; A Trip Down Memory Lane

Here's another video for you. Former Fighting Sioux forward Mike Prpich "cup-checks" Geoff Paukovitch of the Denver Pioneers. Former DU head coach George Gwozdecky then climbs onto the boards to give WCHA official Todd Anderson a piece of his mind. Good stuff...

UND vs. DU Time to renew the rivalry with our old friends

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Good times, I think Kyle Radke is the only UND player that I can remember getting into two fights in one game. I think that's unprecedented. UND and Denver this weekend and if you have DirecTV, you will be able to see both games. My question, is referee Todd Anderson going to ref the games this weekend? I think it would only be fitting. Just for the record, UND is 8-3-1 against the Denver no-names in the last 11 games.

Friday’s game will be telecast live nationally on CBS Sports Network, which is also available on DirecTV (channel 221) and DISH Network (channel 158). Ben Holden handles the play by play and will be joined by analyst Dave Starman and rinkside reporter Shireen Saski... (UND Athletics).

One low spot for the series is there's no more Denver coach  George Gwozdecky. The guy was a character. I am sure that UND and DU fans will find someone to dislike.

NHL Hockey: Gwozdecky Ready to make Leap to NHL Coaching

Here’s the press release from the Tampa Bay Lightning site for George Gwozdecky being hired by the Tampa Bay Lightning as an assistant coach. Former Denver defenseman Matt Carle seems happy to have George as his coach again and isn't worried about him not having any NHL experience. “I don’t think it matters that he doesn’t have a lot of NHL coaching experience, because it’s all about how you deal with people,” said Carle.

Tampa Bay Lightning -- The Tampa Bay Lightning have named George Gwozdecky (gwahz-DECK-ee) as assistant coach on Jon Cooper’s staff today, vice president and general manager Steve Yzerman announced. Gwozdecky most recently served as head coach for the University of Denver Pioneers men’s hockey team.

“I am excited to be joining the Tampa Bay Lightning coaching staff and am really looking forward to working with outstanding coaches like Jon (Cooper), Steve (Thomas) and Rick (Bowness),” Gwozdecky said. “The opportunity to coach in an organization with such highly-respected ownership and excellent front office leadership, as well as a talented mix of veteran and young players in a great community like Tampa Bay is the chance of a lifetime.”

"We are pleased to add George to the coaching staff," Yzerman said. "He brings a wealth of experience to the bench and we feel he will be a valuable addition to the organization."

Gwozdecky, 60, spent 19 seasons at Denver as head coach, posting a 443-267-64 record in 774 games. He led the Pioneers to back-to-back NCAA National Championships in 2004 and 2005 and earned National Coach of the Year honors in 1993 and 2005. In addition he was named the WCHA Coach of the Year in 1995, 2002, 2005 and 2010. With Gwozdecky behind the bench, Denver became a perennial Top 10 program that, in addition to two national championships, also won three WCHA regular season and four WCHA playoff titles. They are the only team in NCAA hockey to have recorded at least 20 wins in each of the previous 12 seasons. During his tenure with the Pioneers, Gwozdecky helped the team to 15 20-win seasons, nine with 25 or more and a pair of campaigns with at least 30.

A native of Thunder Bay, Ontario, Gwozdecky ranks 11th all-time in NCAA men’s hockey for wins with 593. Prior to joining Denver, Gwozdecky was head coach for the Miami (Ohio) University Red Hawks. He served there for five seasons, winning the school’s first CCHA title and earning its first NCAA tournament bid. While at Miami he won the Spencer Penrose Award as National Coach of the Year as well as a pair of CCHA coach of the year honors. He was added to the Miami University “Cradle of Coaches” Hall of Fame in 2006. Before joining the Red Hawks he served as an assistant for the Michigan State Spartans following a stint as the bench boss at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.

Gwozdecky was a four-year letterman at the University of Wisconsin and graduated in 1978 with a degree in physical education. The forward was a member of the Badgers’ 1977 National Championship team. Gwozdecky was inducted into the Wisconsin Hockey Hall of Fame in 1994.

Married with a daughter, Gwozdecky was the only coach in NCAA hockey history to win a Division I National Championship as a player (Wisconsin, 1977), assistant coach (Michigan State, 1986) and as a head coach (Denver, 2004 and 2005).

NHL Hockey: George Gwozdecky to Become Tampa Bay Assistant

Interesting development, Terry Frei an NHL hockey reporter from the Denver Dost is reporting that former DU head coach George Gwozdecky will become an assistant coach with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Actually, I find it surprising since Gwozdecky never played in the NHL.

Terry Frei, Denver Post --- Former University of Denver hockey coach George Gwozdecky has agreed to become an assistant coach with the NHL's Tampa Bay Lightning, and arring unexpected last-minute snags, an announcement of his hiring will come soon, two college hockey sources confirmed Thursday.

Gwozdecky's firing after 19 seasons at DU — a stint that included back-to-back NCAA championships in 2004 and 2005 — generated controversy last spring, and he since had turned down an opportunity to be the head coach at Alabama-Huntsville. He had a year left on his contract at DU and was expected to sit out the 2013-14 season while waiting to see what other jobs might open on the collegiate level.

But the Lightning will bring in Gwozdecky to work under new head coach Jon Cooper, promoted after three seasons as head coach of Tampa Bay's American Hockey League farm club. Gwozdecky will join Rick Bowness, a veteran assistant who has had several stints as an NHL head coach, on Cooper's staff.

Related articles

• Gwoz not in the running for UAH coaching job (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Gwoz to Huntsville? (mvn.com)

Gwoz not in the running for UAH coaching job

George Gwozdecky says Huntsville could be a "gem,'' but won't be coaching there. "The way my career has evolved, it wasn't the right fit.''
— Andy Baggot (@AndyBaggotWSJ) June 21, 2013

According to Andy Baggot from the Madison.com, former DU head coach George Gwozdecky is no longer in the running for the UAH head coaching position. This is disappointing, because it would have been interesting to see what a high profile coach like George Gwozdecky would've done with a program like UAH. Given the right support, I do think Huntsville can be a winner in the new look WCHA.

Madison.com -- Gwozdecky had an opportunity to get back into the mix this week, but said Friday he's no longer a candidate for the opening at Alabama-Huntsville, which is the only school among the 59 in NCAA Division I looking for a coach.

"The way my career has evolved, it wasn't the right fit,'' Gwozdecky said.

That's not to say the opportunity at the newest Western Collegiate Hockey Association member lacked appeal. He and his wife, Bonnie, flew to Alabama and met with Huntsville athletic director E.J. Brophy this week. The school is looking to replace Kurt Kleinendorst, who resigned last month to pursue opportunities in the pro ranks.

"I was really impressed,'' Gwozdecky said of the school and the city. "It could be a real gem.''

I do think that Gwozdecky would be an interesting choice for the WCHA Commissioner as well. That would be interesting as well. Thoughts on that?

Related articles

• Gwoz to Huntsville? (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

Jim Montgomery new coach at DU

Heading to #Avs locker room ... New DU coach will be at denverpost.com/sports in a couple minutes
— Mike Chambers (@MChambersDP) April 13, 2013

Here is the link to the story at the Dever Post via Mike Chambers.

NEWS CENTER Has learned that Jim Montgomery has been offered the head coaching job at the University of Denver. #mesports #umhockey
— LEE GOLDBERG (@WCSHSPORTSGUY) April 13, 2013

Looks like DU has their new head coach. Montgomery was an assistant coach at RPI and is the current head coach of the USHL's Dubuque Fighting Saints. This is an interesting development. Montgomery also played hockey in the NHL with the Blues, Canadiens, Stars, Flyers and Sharks.

Denver U. did not name interim hockey coach. Montgomery is their first choice. Denver offered to beat Maine to it. Last coach made mid 300k
— LEE GOLDBERG (@WCSHSPORTSGUY) April 13, 2013

News story from Denver's Channel 9 on Gwozdecky firing

I think many of us are still in a state of shock that George Gwozdecky was let go in Denver. You can bet that this firing will come back to haunt the Denver University administration some day.

I get the feeling DU will regret not retaining George as head coach.
— Eric J. Burton (@goon48) April 2, 2013

DU fires George Gwozdecky

Grade-A source says George Gwozdecky did not resign. Forced out, terminated, for lack of NCAA success and failure to come to terms 4 ext
— Mike Chambers (@MChambersDP) April 1, 2013

I have to say that I am in an utter state of shock. I can't imagine not seeing Gwoz behind the DU bench next season or standing on the dasher. People that watch college hockey, know that George Gwozdecky is the face of the Pioneer program.

Gwozdecky vs. DU. He told me 2 weeks ago an extension was coming. Blow-up 2day at school in mtg. Only coach to win 20 games last 12 years
— Mike Chambers (@MChambersDP) April 1, 2013

Explanation of the Ref's action following DU's Nick Shore hit to the head of UNH Kevin Goumas

I don't think anyone has a problem with the penalty, it was a hit to the head, I am fine with that call. I am not fine with the on-ice officials going over to the penalty box and reviewing the game film and then throwing Nick Shore out of the game. I am not an apologist for DU Hockey or Nick Shore either and I hope that UNH's Kevin Goumas is okay.

The fact that they went to the penalty box, after-the-fact, and watched the video and then threw Nick Shore out of the game, that's my bone of contention, especially when not one official's arm is in the air. That's what people have a problem with. It's not a conspiracy.

I am not sure why ESPNU think's it's there job to excuse the on-ice officials either? ESPNU can explain it anyway they want, the video confirms what happened on the ice.

Seriously, go back and watch the video again, the play went on for quite some time after the hit, the Pioneers maintained possession of the puck, which makes their explanation questionable. There were no arms in the air by any of the on-ice officials.

George Gwozdecky on Jason Zucker

Denver hockey head coach George Gwozdecky  addressed the media after the Denver and Michigan Tech quarter final game and fields a question from Bruce Brothers of the Pioneer Press at the 4:15 mark of the video about the possibility of Zucker leaving  for the professional ranks.

“I will tell you one thing Bruce [Brothers]; Gwozdecky said, "I have never, ever in my 30 plus years and my 18 years at Denver. I have never ever talked to anyone that regretting staying another year. But I have certainly talked to a lot of guys that said that they regret leaving early and so there is never anything wrong with leaving if you’re ready.  There is never anything wrong with staying, to be able to get one more extra year to be able to give yourself a better chance to be able play at the top level.  What that decision for Jason or for any of our guys, is hard to say right now.”

Related articles

• Denver slips past Michigan Tech (insidehockey.com)
• Thursday at the Final Five (insidehockey.com)

Dell backstops Sioux to 4-0 victory over the Pioneers

Image via Wikipedia

St. Paul Minn. –  Back in November, who would have thought that the Fighting Sioux would face off against Denver University and win the championship game of the Red Baron WCHA Final Five?

Especially on Sunday the 20th of November 2011. The Fighting Sioux had just suffered an unimpressive 1-0 loss to the Bemidji State Beavers at the Sandford Center in Bemidji, Minnesota.  After that loss, the Fighting Sioux had a lackluster record of 4-7-1 overall and 1-5 in the WCHA. That record was good for 11th place in the WCHA standings.

After the game, the Fighting Sioux took the two hour bus trip down highway two back to Grand Forks, they regrouped and on Monday morning the Fighting Sioux coaching staff conducted a bag skate on the Fighting Sioux hockey team at six o’clock.

Since that early morning bag skate, the Fighting Sioux have gone an impressive 21-5-2. That is the best overall record in Divison I hockey since November 26 , 2011.

Coming into the game, the Denver Pioneers had played five games in eight days and there was the question of fatigue, the last three games the Pioneers played in, had gone to overtime including yesterday’s double overtime win against the University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs. You had to wonder how much was left in the tank for the Pioneers.

The Sioux would test the Pioneers tired legs early and often.

The Fighting Sioux got on the board first and broke the 0-0 dead lock at the 17:43 mark of the first period when sophomore Brock Nelson scored his 27th goal on the power play.

Before the public address could announce the first goal, the Fighting Sioux would score again with a goal from junior forward Carter Rowney at the 18:29 mark of the first period. That was the 18th goal of the season for Rowney.

The Fighting Sioux never looked back as they added a power play goal by Michael Parks in the second period and a shorthanded goal in the third period by Mark MacMillan.

Pioneers Head Coach George Gwozdecky was very complimentary of the Fighting Sioux after the game.

“Congratulations to North Dakota,” Gwozdecky said. “They did a nice job tonight, they are a good defending champion, they took advantage of a couple of leg weary defensemen and they did a nice job. They were better than us, pretty much in every area of the game and they are a good champion.”
The Sioux took advantage of the Denver Pioneers being a step slower and they kept moving their feet and making plays.

In the third period, the Fighting Sioux didn’t miss a beat, with Carter Rowney in the box for cross checking the Sioux cashed in shorthanded as well with a goal from Mark MacMillan to seal the game for the Fighting Sioux.

Goaltending was the story in this game as Fighting Sioux junior goalie Aaron Dell was the difference stopping all 22 shots that he faced, to record his second shutout of the season. Dell ended up securing a spot on the all-tournament team and was also awarded the WCHA Final Five tournament MVP.
With tonight’s win, the Fighting Sioux have won three Broadmoor Trophies in a row for the Fighting Sioux. No other WCHA team has ever done that.

Overall, Fighting Sioux head coach Dave Hakstol seemed pleased his team’s effort after the game.
“I am really proud of my team,” Hakstol said. “We tried to come into today and play a complete hockey game, right from the drop of the puck, try and play 60 minutes, third game in three days, energy levels aren’t going to be necessarily at the top end. We won the game through small details, plus one, five on five, we score two power play goals and a short hander, and we got very good goaltending. That’s a pretty good formula for a playoff time especially going in to a championship game.

“Denver has been one heck of a run here, in terms of the battles they have been through; maybe they ran out of gas just a little bit with the amount of hockey that they played. That was one of the things that we had try to exploit if we possibly could by being a really tough team to play against. We are proud to be Broadmoor Cup Champions.”

With the win tonight, the Fighting Sioux improve to 25-12-3 and will find out where they are going in the first round of the WCHA tourney.

Related articles

• Sioux vs. Pioneers Final Five championship game notes (insidehockey.com)
• Sioux dismantle Gophers 6-3 in St. Paul (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

The Gloves are off UND vs. DU. – College Hockey’s version of the Hatfield’s and McCoy’s

One of the best rivalries in college hockey, DU and UND. I would call it college hockey's version of the Hatfield's and McCoy's, two teams that don't like each other very very much. The first video is the reason that Sioux fans refer to George Gwozdecky as the Dasher Troll and this is what a dasher dance looks like.

The second video is from the game where former UND forward/defenseman Kyle Radke unofficially got into two fights in one college hockey game. It was a game where Todd Anderson and former WCHA official Jon Campion lost control of the game.

I think it would only be fitting if Todd Anderson was the official of this weekend's series.

Incidently, WCHA official Todd Anderson was the referee that was on the ice and called both games that George Gwozdecky was kicked out of and did his dasher dance. [Dasher dance game part II, Prpich cup checks Geoff Paukovich]



Good news Fighting Sioux hockey fans that have DirecTV. Friday's game will be on at 9:00 PM Central Time on channel 603. Saturday night's game will be on channel 683 on Roots on DirecTV, at 8:00 PM on Saturday Night.

Roots Sports is the network that used to be Fox Sports Net Rockey Mountain, this is also the same network that employs Alana Rizzo who doesn't is not a big fan of Sioux fans and doesn't like them very much.

Related articles

• Lucky Bounces Save Sioux in Tie (insidehockey.com)
• Tech and Sioux skate to a 1-1 Tie. (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Former NHLPA boss resigns from College Hockey Inc. (mysanantonio.com)
• The gloves are off part II - UND and UW week (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

DU get some some good news... Brittain & Ryder back

Image via WikipediaIt appears that the Denver Pioneers have gotten some good news as two of their key players have returned from injury. It will be interesting to see how well Sam Brittain plays.

Mike Chambers, Denver Post --- Two of the University of Denver's most important defenders are close to returning to a depleted lineup. Pioneers coach George Gwozdecky said sophomore goalie Sam Brittain and senior defenseman John Ryder were cleared to practice Monday and are probable for this weekend's two-game series at Alaska-Anchorage.

Brittain, who took over as the program's No. 1 goalie as a freshman last season, has missed the entire season after undergoing major knee surgery June 17. Ryder, DU's fiercest hitter, suffered a fractured knee cap in November and has missed the past 13 games.

Related articles

• DU's Brittain, Ryder cleared to practice (denverpost.com)
• DU hockey without injured Adam Murray and John Ryder until January (denverpost.com)

Why Zucker didn't play last weekend.

Image via WikipediaTwo Colorado schools C.C. and DU kept their two high end players that just returned from the World Junior Championship out of the line up last weekend. DU forward Jason Zucker who is one of the top five forwards in the WCHA and probably soon to be a member of the Minnesota Wild went home to visit family while his team split with the UAH Chargers. That lose could be costly for the Pioneers.

Colorado College forward Jaden Schwartz, who is also a top five forward in the WCHA, was held out of Friday's game as well and the Tigers ended up losing to the Cornell Big Red, another costly personnel move, as the Tigers lost and tied the Cornell Big Red. 

Mike Chambers, the Field House --- DU coach George Gwozdecky said of the decision to keep Zucker out of the non-league set — a decision that was second-guessed by some in the wake of the upset loss to the nation’s only Division I independent program on Friday night. That loss conceivably could cost DU an NCAA tournament berth, considering its impact on the Pioneers in the PairWise rankings. Gwozdecky said the precedent was set after defenseman Matt Carle played for the champion U.S. team in 2004.

“Matt was part of that gold-medal team and he came back, and we didn’t know from experience what the whole thing was like and what it was going to do to Matt,” Gwozdecky said. “He was absolutely emotionally drained, physically drained, and his level of urgency wasn’t there for at least three weeks. After the first period of the first game he was back, it was like, ‘Oh, my God, I think we made a mistake here,’ because he was just shot. You certainly understand that. You’re playing for a gold medal on the world stage in front of huge crowds and all of a sudden, you’re coming back and playing against Bemidji or Wisconsin. It just doesn’t have the same luster.

I don't buy this argument that the players that return from the WJC need to be held out of games, they can get their rest as time allows, during the up coming weeks, there are also bye weeks in the schedule.

The reason I am not buying this argument is that you're talking about 19 year old kids who are world class athletes and not a bunch of 30-35 year old men playing in the house league. You have a limited number of games and the WCHA has taken a beating in the out of conference games and has an unimpressive inter-conference record of 26-25-8 and that could end up costing the WCHA come NCAA tourney selection time. 

Edit: I you click on this link you will see that Dan Myers of College Hockey News discussed this issue as well on the College Hockey News blog.

Related articles

• DU's Jason Zucker, CC's Jaden Schwartz set new bar at World Junior Hockey Championships (denverpost.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings - January 8 (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings - December 12 (insidehockey.com)

Another Mike Chambers drive by shooting on former Fighting Sioux forward Brad Malone...

As a Sioux fan I have to ask is there is something wrong with Mike Chambers? Is he going to always refer to Brad Malone as the guy that broke Jesse Martin's neck every time he does a story or blog post on former Fighting Sioux forward Brad Malone? Seriously? What relevance does it have in regards to this discussion? In my humble opinion nothing. This is the same beat writer that asked George Gwozdecky about RIT after the Pioneers won their first game at the Final Five...

Mike Chambers; Denver Post ---- The Avs selected Malone in the fourth round (105th overall) of the 2007 draft. Malone played four years at North Dakota and served as the first-line center last season, when the Sioux were ranked No. 1 nationally most of the year and advanced to the Frozen Four. He (Malone) had 16 goals and 40 points in 43 games last season, a campaign marred by his controversial hit that nearly killed DU senior Jesse Martin on Oct. 30 in Grand Forks.

Malone is perceived as a third- or fourth-line grinder in the NHL, a gritty guy with good hands (fighting?) and decent wheels. Nicknamed “Pony,” he was one of the most popular players at UND.

What's the point, is Chambers trying to incite the Sioux faithful because of a sagging readership? What does he want to have happen to Brad Malone, does he wish him ill well? I had the pleasure of meeting Brad Malone at a golf tourney two season ago and I have to say that he was a very nice person and don't get the vilification of Brad Malone. Can we move on?

DU promo video - National Collegiate Hockey Conference

If you haven't seen this, this was well done by DU athletics. S/T to Let's Go DU Hockey Sports Blog

Related articles

• Is The New National Collegiate Hockey Conference Good For College Hockey? (stupidhockey.typepad.com)
• New hockey conference for DU, CC named the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (denverpost.com)
• National Collegiate Hockey Conference is new home for DU, Colorado College (denverpost.com)
• New DI hockey conference formed; Schools create National Collegiate Hockey Conference (gloucestercitynews.net)

George Gwozdecky interview with Chris Botta

Wow, some good stuff in this interview. For Sioux fans at the 1126 mark of the interview George Gwozdecky talks about playing in the REA and the game where he was thrown out after his dance on the dasher. George Gwozdecky on the game he was thrown out in, 'REA is a tough game to play in and officiate in and the officials were being intimidated by the crowd.'

Another dynasty in the making?

In case you haven’t seen this blog post about UND fan's favorite opposition coach George aka "the Dasher Troll" Gwozdecky, it does make for an interesting read. This blog post also drips with arrogance, smugness and is condescending to say the least. My first question to Mike Chambers would be; do you always soil yourself every time you write an article about George Gwozdecky? Sure we all know that Gwoz is a reputable coach but he is also just one of many qualified coaches in college hockey. Since he is a Big Ten guy maybe he can apply for the Gophers position after Lucia is shown the door.

Denver Post -- Please excuse my reach while I connect the dots.

Gwozdecky, who is seeking a new deal at DU, is/was a Big Ten guy, and you know Penn State is going to hire a veteran college coach with big-league roots and NCAA championship plaques on his walls. Gwozdecky, 57, could be that man. He won NCAA championships as a player at Wisconsin and an assistant coach at Michigan State.

His resume at DU includes two NCAA titles (2004, 2005), three WCHA regular-season titles (2002, 2005, 2010) and four WCHA playoff crowns (1999, 2002, 2005, 2008). He is a two-time national coach of the year (1993, 2005) and the reigning WCHA coach of the year, his fourth overall.

See the connection here? This is beyond speculation. For Gwozdecky, it’s leverage.