The recent Back to Hockey Alumni Faceoff at Magness Arena brought together former University of Denver Pioneers and a roster of Colorado Avalanche alumni in a charity showdown that ended with a 9‑3 win for the Avalanche. The game opened with Peter Mueller scoring just two minutes in, and the Avalanche quickly built a lead that stretched to 4‑1 by halftime.
Standout Moments
Cody McLeod paced the scoring with two goals in the second period, while Milan Hejduk contributed three points, including two goals and an assist. Tyler Bozak, JP Testwuide and Kelly Hollingshead found the net for the Pioneers, but the Avalanche's depth proved decisive. Goaltending was shared by Danny King and Evan Cowley, with King making a penalty‑shot save on Dan Hinote early in the first period.
Veteran presence was evident as Ryan Miller, an 18‑year NHL veteran and Olympic silver‑medalist, started in goal for the Avalanche, underscoring the caliber of talent that participates in these charitable matchups. Joe Sakic and Peter Forsberg added assists that helped shape the offense, and a mid‑game trade involving Paul Stastny and Mark Rycroft added a narrative twist to the proceedings.
Charity Impact
Beyond the final score, the exhibition supports the Colorado Avalanche Alumni Association’s mission of funding youth hockey programs, scholarships and mental health services across Colorado. The event also commemorated the previous year’s 8‑7 shootout victory by the Pioneers, highlighting the growing tradition of alumni competition that benefits local communities.