Denver Pioneers Claim Record-Breaking 11th National Title
The Denver Pioneers are national champions! Last Saturday, April 11, the Pioneers defeated the Wisconsin Badgers 2–1 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas to claim their 11th NCAA men's hockey title, the most of any program in Division I history. Event Tickets Center is proud to be an official partner of Denver Pioneers Athletics, and it feels personal for us. With our Denver office right in the Pioneers' backyard, our team had the chance to attend games at Magness Arena throughout the season and witness DU’s remarkable run firsthand.
This connection goes beyond tickets. Earlier this year, ETC Cares partnered with DU Athletics to bring students from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver to a Pioneers home game for a behind-the-scenes experience that many of those kids will never forget. Watching this program capture a national title means that much more when you have collaborated on meaningful community initiatives together.
Denver’s Incredible Run of 3 Titles in 5 Years
Since 2022, University of Denver Athletics has delivered three national championships in five years, a run without an equal in modern college hockey. At just 36 years old, Head Coach David Carle has built a genuine dynasty at DU by prioritizing player development and a winning culture over flash and fanfare.
The Pioneers trailed Wisconsin 1–0 heading into the third period of the title game, having managed just five shots through two periods against a relentless Badgers forecheck. However, Denver did not panic: Rieger Lorenz tied the game early in the third, and freshman Kyle Chyzowski tipped in the go-ahead goal with under six minutes left. Goaltender Johnny Hicks did the rest, finishing with 29 saves and Frozen Four Most Outstanding Player honors.
The Quest for Twelve: What’s Next for the Pioneers
Eleven national titles might be a new NCAA record, but the Pioneers are now setting their sights on number 12. With Hicks returning in net, a proven coaching staff, and a culture that reloads rather than rebuilds, Denver enters the offseason as the clear favorite in DU hockey circles to make another deep run.
Carrying the Momentum Into the 2026-2027 Season
The rest of college hockey knows what is coming. Denver has won the title in two of the last three seasons, and the program shows no signs of slowing down. For NCAA men's hockey fans, the upcoming Frozen Four bracket just got a lot more interesting.
The Key Players Who Brought the Cup Home
Johnny Hicks was the backbone of this entire postseason run. The freshman goaltender made a career-high 49 saves in a 92-minute double-overtime semifinal win over No. 1 Michigan before following it up with 29 stops in the title game. He did not lose in regulation all season after taking over the starting role, going 16–0–1.
Rieger Lorenz and Kyle Chyzowski delivered the third-period goals that flipped the championship game, while Kent Anderson ended the Michigan semifinal with the overtime winner after 92 minutes of play. Additionally, Max Plante capped the season by taking home the 2026 Hobey Baker Memorial Award as the top player in Division I men's hockey.
Proud to Be the Denver Pioneers’ Official Secondary Ticket Reseller
Event Tickets Center is the Official Secondary Ticket Reseller for Denver Pioneers Athletics. We carry the full slate of Pioneers events at Magness Arena, and next season's Denver Pioneers tickets are the hottest in college hockey right now.
Our partnership with DU Athletics signifies the power of local and community activation to enhance the fan experience. Great programs deserve great fans in the seats, and great fans deserve a ticketing experience that is simple, reliable, and built around them. The Pioneers will be back next season, ready to defend their title, and we will be right there with them.