THE STANDARDA DU HOCKEY PODCAST

Championship Teams

1958 1960 1961 1968 1969 2004 2005 2017 2022 2024 2026
1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020
2026

Denver 2–1 Wisconsin

Las Vegas, Nev.T-Mobile Arena

Record
29–11–3
Head Coach
David Carle
Tournament MOP
Johnny Hicks
Top Goal Scorer
Eric Pohlkamp 18 G
Top Point Scorer
Eric Pohlkamp 39 P
Winning Goalie
Johnny Hicks
Top Scoring D
Eric Pohlkamp 39 P
Honestly, like after the third game [Hicks] played, I was like, ‘OK, we’re going to ride this guy as long as we can.’ Luckily enough, we took him all the way to the championship, and he’s an undefeated goalie.
Eric Pohlkamp, on goalie Johnny Hicks
Path to the title
  1. Regional SemifinalCornell 5–0
  2. Regional FinalWestern Michigan 6–2
  3. National SemifinalMichigan 4–3 (2OT)
  4. National ChampionshipWisconsin 2–1
Lore
  • Denver’s 11th national title, and the most of any program in NCAA history.
  • Johnny Hicks swept all three postseason Most Outstanding Player awards — NCHC Frozen Faceoff, the Loveland Regional, and the Frozen Four.
  • Hicks finished the season 16-0-1 with a 1.19 goals-against average and a .957 save percentage.
2024

Denver 2–0 Boston College

Saint Paul, Minn.Xcel Energy Center

Record
32–9–3
Head Coach
David Carle
Tournament MOP
Matt Davis
Top Goal Scorer
Jack Devine 27 G
Top Point Scorer
Jack Devine 56 P
Winning Goalie
Matt Davis
Top Scoring D
Zeev Buium 50 P
What an effort by our team. They executed unbelievably well. Everybody laid it all on the line, and we’re national champions. I’m so proud of them. They’ll walk together forever.
David Carle, head coach
Path to the title
  1. Regional SemifinalMassachusetts 2–1 (2OT)
  2. Regional FinalCornell 2–1
  3. National SemifinalBoston University 2–1 (OT)
  4. National ChampionshipBoston College 2–0
Lore
  • All four tournament wins came by two goals or fewer — three of them 2-1, two in overtime.
  • “We’ve dreamed of this since we were kids. We’ve probably celebrated out back home in the yard pretending we won a national championship before, so we’re just really excited for this moment.” — Shai Buium
  • Matt Davis made 35 saves to shut out top-ranked Boston College, finishing the tournament with a 0.63 GAA and .979 save percentage across four games.
  • “Best goalie in the world, eh? He’s not unknown now.” — McKade Webster, on Matt Davis
  • The win was the program’s NCAA-record 10th title, moving Denver one clear of Michigan and alone atop the sport.
  • “This is definitely at the top for sure. This is an incredible feeling. Best feeling in the world.” — Zeev Buium
2022

Denver 5–1 Minnesota State

Boston, Mass.TD Garden

Record
31–9–1
Head Coach
David Carle
Tournament MOP
Mike Benning
Top Goal Scorer
Carter Savoie 23 G
Top Point Scorer
Bobby Brink 57 P
Winning Goalie
Magnus Chrona
Top Scoring D
Mike Benning 38 P
I’ve got to give a shoutout to Magnus. For the first 40 minutes, I don’t think our team really realized we were in the national championship game. He stood on his head.
Ryan Barrow, on goalie Magnus Chrona
Path to the title
  1. Regional SemifinalUMass Lowell 3–2
  2. Regional FinalMinnesota Duluth 2–1
  3. National SemifinalMichigan 3–2 (OT)
  4. National ChampionshipMinnesota State 5–1
Lore
  • Ryan Barrow tied the game early in the third period of his 168th game in a Denver sweater — a program record for games played.
  • “You come to Denver to win national championships.” — Ryan Barrow
  • The Pioneers scored three times in the final 6:26 to turn a one-goal grind into a 5-1 final.
  • “After the first one, I thought almost immediately that we were going to get a second one. After that it was pure joy.” — Magnus Chrona
  • Carter Savoie’s overtime goal beat Michigan in the national semifinal to reach the final.
  • “I owe a lot of what I have in my life to the university. This program is very special; it means the world to me.” — David Carle, head coach
2017

Denver 3–2 Minnesota Duluth

Chicago, Ill.United Center

Record
33–7–4
Head Coach
Jim Montgomery
Tournament MOP
Jarid Lukosevicius
Top Goal Scorer
Troy Terry 22 G
Top Point Scorer
Troy Terry 45 P
Winning Goalie
Tanner Jaillet
Top Scoring D
Will Butcher 37 P
It’s hard to put into words what this win means. I love each and every one of the guys on this team, and I’m so proud of them.
Will Butcher, captain
Path to the title
  1. Regional SemifinalMichigan Tech 5–2
  2. Regional FinalPenn State 6–3
  3. National SemifinalNotre Dame 6–1
  4. National ChampionshipMinnesota Duluth 3–2
Lore
  • Jarid Lukosevicius scored three goals in 7:39 of the second period — the third-fastest hat trick in championship game history.
  • “There’s no better moment than this.” — Jim Montgomery, head coach
  • Montgomery still holds the record himself: 4:35, scored as Maine’s captain in the 1993 final.
  • “They were throwing the kitchen sink at us. Our guys had huge blocks, making plays. We were able to weather that storm and obviously come out with the win.” — Tanner Jaillet
  • Will Butcher won the Hobey Baker Award as the nation’s top player that season.
  • “I pretty much just stood in front of the net and got three lucky goals.” — Jarid Lukosevicius
2005

Denver 4–1 North Dakota

Columbus, OhioValue City Arena

Record
32–9–2
Head Coach
George Gwozdecky
Tournament MOP
Peter Mannino
Top Goal Scorer
Gabe Gauthier 26 G
Top Point Scorer
Gabe Gauthier 57 P
Winning Goalie
Peter Mannino
Top Scoring D
Matt Carle 44 P
This is such an unbelievable feeling. I cannot put into words how special this moment feels right now.
Luke Fulghum
Path to the title
  1. Regional SemifinalBemidji State 4–3 (OT)
  2. Regional FinalNew Hampshire 4–2
  3. National SemifinalColorado College 6–2
  4. National ChampionshipNorth Dakota 4–1
Lore
  • Two freshmen delivered the repeat: goalie Peter Mannino made a career-high 44 saves and center Paul Stastny had two goals and an assist.
  • “I told them, ‘Thank you very much. But it sure would be a lot sweeter to celebrate after No. 405.’” — George Gwozdecky, after his 400th career win
  • Mannino followed Adam Berkhoel as tournament MOP, making it two straight years a Denver goaltender won the award.
  • “We don’t really think of it as nerves, it’s more exciting or excitement.” — Peter Mannino
  • The 4-1 win over North Dakota came before 17,155 at Value City Arena — Denver’s seventh title and second in a row.
  • “We’re kind of like Tiger Woods of golf right now.” — Luke Fulghum
2004

Denver 1–0 Maine

Boston, Mass.FleetCenter

Record
27–12–5
Head Coach
George Gwozdecky
Tournament MOP
Adam Berkhoel
Top Goal Scorer
Gabe Gauthier 18 G
Top Point Scorer
Gabe Gauthier 43 P
Winning Goalie
Adam Berkhoel
Top Scoring D
Brett Skinner 30 P
Wow. It’s a great story.
George Gwozdecky, head coach
Path to the title
  1. Regional SemifinalMiami 3–2
  2. Regional FinalNorth Dakota 1–0
  3. National SemifinalMinnesota Duluth 5–3
  4. National ChampionshipMaine 1–0
Lore
  • Denver’s first championship since 1969, won 1-0 on Gabe Gauthier’s first-period goal and 24 saves from Adam Berkhoel.
  • “Cinderella teams can win a few games, but Cinderella teams can’t win national championships.” — George Gwozdecky, head coach
  • The Pioneers went 5-0 after being knocked out in the first round of the WCHA playoffs, allowing five goals total in that stretch.
  • “We’re very proud. The way the game finished, I thought was pretty symbolic of the way our season has been. We haven’t made it easy.” — George Gwozdecky
  • Berkhoel was named tournament MOP, joined on the all-tournament team by captain Ryan Caldwell and forward Connor James.
  • “To see a group of guys come so far over a long season is just amazing to me.” — Ryan Caldwell, captain
1969

Denver 4–3 Cornell

Colorado Springs, Colo.Broadmoor World Arena

Record
26–6–0
Head Coach
Murray Armstrong
Tournament MOP
Keith Magnuson
Top Goal Scorer
George Morrison 40 G
Top Point Scorer
George Morrison 58 P
Winning Goalie
Gerry Powers
Top Scoring D
Keith Magnuson 34 P
He was the John Wooden, the Knute Rockne of college hockey.
Jim Wiste, on Murray Armstrong
Path to the title
  1. National SemifinalHarvard 9–2
  2. National ChampionshipCornell 4–3
Lore
  • Denver beat a Cornell team backstopped by Ken Dryden, 4-3.
  • “The University of Denver’s irresistible force cracked the immovable object.” — Dick Connor, The Denver Post, March 16, 1969
  • Cornell pulled within one with 1:20 left and pulled Dryden; the Pioneers killed out the final 80 seconds a man short.
  • Gerry Powers made the all-tournament first team for a second straight year, and captain Keith Magnuson was named tournament MOP.
1968

Denver 4–0 North Dakota

Duluth, Minn.Duluth Entertainment Center

Record
28–5–1
Head Coach
Murray Armstrong
Tournament MOP
Gerry Powers
Top Goal Scorer
Robert Trembecky 24 G
Top Point Scorer
Jim Wiste 57 P
Winning Goalie
Gerry Powers
Top Scoring D
Tim Gould 22 P
Powers vacuumed up everything the Sioux could hurl at him.
Dick Connor, The Denver Post, March 17, 1968
Path to the title
  1. National SemifinalBoston College 4–1
  2. National ChampionshipNorth Dakota 4–0
Lore
  • Gerry Powers recorded the first shutout in NCAA championship game history.
  • “It was like removing the key log in a big river jam.” — Dick Connor, The Denver Post, March 17, 1968
  • The final was scoreless through two periods — all four Denver goals came in the third, two of them from Bob Trembecky.
  • The win was Denver’s 22nd straight, closing a 28-5-1 season and ending a seven-year wait for a title.
1961

Denver 12–2 St. Lawrence

Denver, Colo.University of Denver Arena

Record
30–1–1
Head Coach
Murray Armstrong
Tournament MOP
Bill Masterton
Top Goal Scorer
Jerry Walker 56 G
Top Point Scorer
Jerry Walker 85 P
Winning Goalie
George Kirkwood
Top Scoring D
Jon Art 35 P
This is the finest college hockey team I have ever seen.
Murray Armstrong, head coach
Path to the title
  1. National ChampionshipSt. Lawrence 12–2
Lore
  • The 12-2 win over St. Lawrence was Denver’s 30th victory in 32 starts and its 25th consecutive game without a defeat.
  • “With a bunch of boys like this, you can’t miss.” — Murray Armstrong, head coach
  • Captain Bill Masterton, the tournament’s MOP, finished with three goals and two assists.
  • Denver had lost just one game across its previous 52 starts, spanning two seasons.
1960

Denver 5–3 Michigan Tech

Boston, Mass.Matthews Arena

Record
27–4–3
Head Coach
Murray Armstrong
Tournament MOP
—
Top Goal Scorer
Jerry Walker 31 G
Top Point Scorer
Bill Masterton 67 P
Winning Goalie
George Kirkwood
Top Scoring D
George Konik 41 P
There may never be another college team assembled with as much ability and color as this one.
Murray Armstrong, head coach
Path to the title
  1. National ChampionshipMichigan Tech 5–3
Lore
  • Denver trailed 3-2 after two periods, tied it on a George Konik shot, then won it on John MacMillan’s rebound with 1:03 to play.
  • “In the overall picture, I had a lot of good material. And I think all of the boys played up to their capability.” — Murray Armstrong, head coach
  • Three seasons under Armstrong had produced two national titles and a 74-19-6 record.
  • The Pioneers won the WCHA by two full games at 17-4-1 and went 3-0-2 against Olympic teams that year.
1958

Denver 6–2 North Dakota

Minneapolis, Minn.Williams Arena

Record
24–10–2
Head Coach
Murray Armstrong
Captain
Ed Zemrau
Tournament MOP
Murray Massier
Top Goal Scorer
Jim Brown 29 G
Top Point Scorer
Jim Brown 54 P
Winning Goalie
Rodney Schneck
Top Scoring D
Ed Zemrau 27 P
When I came to Denver, I promised to give them a national championship in three years or I’d quit.
Murray Armstrong, head coach
Path to the title
  1. National ChampionshipNorth Dakota 6–2
Lore
  • Denver won the national title in its first-ever NCAA tournament appearance, in the event’s 11th year.
  • “Coach Murray Armstrong’s crew saved its best all-around performance of the season for its most important game.” — Dick Hilker, The Denver Post, March 16, 1958
  • It came in Armstrong’s second season on the Hilltop — a year ahead of the promise he made when he took the job.
  • “He has been to college hockey what only a handful ever are to other sports — a John Wooden to basketball, a Woody Hayes or Bear Bryant to football.” — Dick Connor, The Denver Post, on Armstrong
  • The Pioneers had lost three of four league meetings with North Dakota earlier that same season.

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