Banner Ceremony Marks Historic Milestone
The University of Denver’s men’s ice hockey program is set to mark its 2025‑26 NCAA championship with a ceremonial banner-raising ahead of its first home game of the 2026‑27 season.
The banner will be unfurled before the Pioneers take on the Michigan Wolverines on Oct. 16, a game that opens a two‑game series and signals the start of a fresh campaign.
Denver’s title run culminated with a 2‑1 victory over Wisconsin in the championship game, giving the team its second national crown in the past three years and its third in the last five.
Only a limited number of replica banners will be produced, and they will be distributed on a first‑come, first‑served basis while supplies last.
The upcoming series is notable because it represents the first regular‑season encounter between Denver and Michigan since March 1981, a milestone that has generated extra buzz among fans and alumni.
The Pioneers also edged the Wolverines 4‑3 in double overtime last season, a win that propelled them into the finals, adding a layer of narrative intrigue to the upcoming matchup.
Denver will begin the season on the road against Alaska Anchorage on Oct. 2, setting the stage for a busy early stretch that includes the Michigan series.