Colorado Ice Hockey Team, Avalanche, in Spotlight Again
David Carle Turns Down NHL Coaching Offers, Keeps PIOs Dream Alive
Can't get enough of that NHL calling? Not David Carle. For the third time in four seasons, he's said no thanks and stayed put at the University of Denver. Fresh off his latest multi-year contract extension, Carle's name has been on speed dial for several NHL teams seeking a young, dynamic coach.
Yet, Carle's got no regrets. He's confident Denver's the best gig outside the NHL, maybe even the best in town. "I'd trade places with me, given the opportunity," he quipped.
Carle's chatted with numerous teams about a head coaching gig. In the past three seasons, San Jose, St. Louis, and now Chicago and Anaheim have come knocking. But Carle's no novice at 35, making him two years younger than the league's youngest coach, Ryan Warsofsky of San Jose. He's also eight years younger than Spencer Carberry of Washington, who's the league's second-youngest coach.
But it's not just age that keeps Carle tethered to Denver. He adores raising his family in Denver, and he believes he's found something special with the Pioneers. "Interviewing with NHL franchises only helps me learn and grow. It enhances our program," said Carle.
So much is altering in the college sports landscape. That's part of why Carle embraces the transformation, not resists it. From the NCAA tournament regional format to the hockey recruiting calendar, Carle's committed to advocating for big-picture reforms.
The college hockey scene's evolving, too. Players from Canada's major junior leagues are now eligible to join NCAA teams, taking the competition to the next level. This season, Carle welcomes star recruits from the Everett Silvertips, Swift Current Broncos, and Portland Winterhawksto his freshman class.
"Our standards and expectations never change," Carle asserted, optimistic about the upcoming season. With a returning squad of ambitious players and promising freshmen, Carle expects the sky's the limit for the 2023-2024 Pioneers.
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- Despite multiple NHL teams offering him coaching positions, David Carle, the University of Denver head coach, has declined three times in four seasons.
- Carle, who recently signed a multi-year contract extension, is two years younger than the youngest NHL coach, Ryan Warsofsky of San Jose, and eight years younger than the league's second-youngest coach, Spencer Carbery of Washington.
- Carle, who has chatted with numerous NHL teams about head coaching positions, believes staying at Denver enhances their program and allows him to learn and grow.
- College sports are undergoing significant changes, and Carle is committed to advocating for big-picture reforms in the NCAA, including the hockey recruiting calendar and the NCAA tournament regional format.
- The college hockey scene is experiencing evolution as well, with Canadian major junior league players now eligible to join NCAA teams, raising the competition to new heights.
- For the 2023-2024 season, Carle welcomes star recruits from the Everett Silvertips, Swift Current Broncos, and Portland Winterhawks to his freshman class.
- Carle remains optimistic about the upcoming season, asserting that the Pioneers' standards and expectations never change, with a squad of returning ambitious players and promising freshmen aiming for the sky.
