The makeup of college hockey is changing next year. We all knew that going into the offseason. One thing we didn’t all know heading into the offseason was that George Gwozdecky wouldn’t be at Denver. We also didn’t know that Dave Shyiak wouldn’t be at Anchorage. Both schools will have new coaches next season.

George Gwozdecky to Leave DU Hockey Bench
Courtesy: Denver Athletics
Release: 04/01/2013

DENVER – The University of Denver Division of Athletics and Recreation announced today that men’s head hockey coach George Gwozdecky will leave the hockey post he has held for 19 seasons. A national search will commence immediately for his replacement.

The Pioneers recently finished their final season in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA). Gwozdecky compiled a 443-267-64 record with DU (593-391-85 career), finishing the 2012-13 season 20-14-5 with a conference record of 14-9-5.

“We certainly wish George the best in his future endeavors and we are thankful for his 19 years at the helm of our hockey program,” said Vice Chancellor for Athletics and Recreation Peg Bradley-Doppes. “He certainly had his fair share of success, returning the program to the pinnacle of the collegiate hockey world during our great run in the middle of the previous decade. In addition, he has always run our program with class and professionalism, which has certainly made our fans proud to be Pioneer supporters.

“We must now turn our attention toward a new direction for our hockey program with another innovative coach taking the lead for our inaugural season in the newly formed National Collegiate Hockey Conference.”

The Pioneers captured two NCAA Championships, three WCHA Regular-Season Titles and four WCHA Playoff Titles during Gwozdecky’s 19-year tenure.

“It has been an honor and a privilege to be the varsity hockey coach at the University of Denver for the past 19 years,” Gwozdecky said. “I’m extremely proud of the work that we have done to continue to build on the great Pioneer hockey tradition. Our consistency of success on the ice and in the classroom over the years has been a focal point of our work and I am very proud of what we have achieved. I will forever cherish the relationships that we have built in the Denver community with our fans, our staff and most importantly our former and current players. I want to wish them all the best.”

Gwozdecky will address the media in a press conference on Tuesday at 11 a.m. in the Champions Room.

To say I’m stunned would be an understatment. Gwozdecky was a major reason that the NCHC is being formed. Gwozdecky’s teams made the NCAA tournament on a regular basis. I guess just getting their isn’t enough anymore!