Johnny Hicks, a 21‑year‑old goaltender for the University Denver Pioneers, is preparing for his sophomore season after a freshman year that set a new NCAA save‑percentage record and propelled the team to a historic 16‑0‑1 run and a national championship.
In the April 2026 NCAA tournament final, Hicks turned in a 29‑save performance in a 2‑1 win over Wisconsin, cementing his place alongside legendary netminders Magnus Chrona and Matty Davis in Denver’s goaltending legacy.
His 95.7% save percentage as a first‑year player not only broke the program’s previous benchmark but also highlighted a season in which Denver captured its third national title since 2021 and secured the NCHC Frozen Four crown.
Off the ice, Hicks is a renaissance student—majoring in psychology, writing songs, and painting—who has been forced to pause his musical pursuits due to wildfire smoke and the logistical challenges of cooking alone, though he still strums his guitar occasionally and is enrolled in a guitar class this quarter.
This summer he devoted himself to physical refinement, focusing on balance and body alignment while moving between the posts, a regimen he says is essential for maintaining the mental discipline that underpins his performance.
With fans and coaches optimistic about his ability to replicate his freshman success, Hicks’s upcoming sophomore campaign is eagerly anticipated, especially as he celebrates his 21st birthday and the Pioneers look to build on recent triumphs.