For the first time since the 2004-05 season, the University of Denver Pioneers will be playing in the Frozen Four, the NCAA men's ice hockey national semifinals. Denver faces the North Dakota Fighting Hawks at Amalie Arena on Thursday with a berth to the national title game at stake.
Colorado Avalanche prospect Will Butcher is making the trip to Tampa, Florida, with DU in hopes of moving on to play in the championship contest on Saturday.
Butcher, a 5-foot-10 defenseman, was drafted by Colorado in the fifth round (123rd overall) of the 2013 NHL Draft and is in his junior season with the Pioneers.