Jr. Pioneers At Tier II National Championships

(above) The Jr. Pioneers representing Colorado in San Jose this weekWhen the University of Denver started four Coloradans against North Dakota in the NCAA Regional Championships in Green Bay last weekend in really signaled how far Colorado youth hockey has come in recent years.This week the Junior Pioneers, who train and develop their hockey skills at DU's Ritchie Center are out in San Jose, California at the Tier II Under 12 National Championships (PeeWee). The Jr. Pioneers team is 2-0 thus far in the tournament defeating the Central Connecticut Capitals 5-0 on Wednesday and the Chicago Blues in an OT shootout on Thursday. The team participated in the opening ceremonies in which former NHL star Mike Ricci addressed the kids. The team plays the Hershey Bears in their last game of Round Robin play Friday.On Saturday they will face the host team the San Jose Jr. Sharks in the Quarterfinals.