The University of Denver and the Metro Denver Sports Commission have unveiled the 2008 NCAA Frozen Four logo and announced the on-sale date for tickets to the 2007 NCAA West Regional.
The Pepsi Center will host the 2007 NCAA West Regional and 2008 NCAA Frozen Four, marking the first time in the history of college hockey that the regional and Frozen Four will be hosted in the same venue in back-to-back years. It also marks the first time the Pepsi Center will host a collegiate hockey event.
“We are excited to bring the NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey Tournament to Denver for the next two years,” said Jon Schmieder, executive director of the Metro Denver Sports Commission. “Denver is a premier sports city, and we’re honored to bring college hockey’s national stage to the Mile High City in 2007 and 2008.”
The NCAA Ice Hockey Tournament returns to Denver for the first time in 21 years with the 2007 NCAA West Regional slated for March 24-25. The NCAA Frozen Four returns to Denver in 2008 for the first time since 1976 when legendary coach Herb Brooks led Minnesota to the NCAA title at DU Arena. Both events will be held at the 18,007-seat Pepsi Center, home of the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche.
“We are thrilled to welcome collegiate hockey to Pepsi Center for the first time,” said Dave Jolette, vice president and general manager of the Pepsi Center. “It is only fitting that a state with such hockey tradition has the chance to showcase the sport at this level in one of the region’s premier facilities.”
The 2008 NCAA Frozen Four logo was unveiled by the 2006-07 University of Denver hockey team at center ice. The DU senior class of 2007 captured back-to-back NCAA National Championships in 2004 and 2005, and eyes a return appearance to the NCAA West Regional at the Pepsi Center in 2007. DU has captured seven NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey National Championships, ranking it second all-time behind Michigan’s nine titles.
“Our team is excited to earn the right to play in the NCAA Tournament in our own backyard,” DU head coach George Gwozdecky said. “We had to play in some hostile environments during our NCAA championship runs in 2004 and 2005. Our seniors are motivated to compete in the NCAA hockey tournament in front of our hometown fans.”
Tickets for the 2007 NCAA West Regional go on sale on Saturday, Sept. 30 at 10 a.m. All patrons purchasing tickets at the Pepsi Center Box Office on Saturday, Sept. 30, will be entered into an NCAA drawing to win two complimentary tickets to the 2008 NCAA Frozen Four at the Pepsi Center.
