DU hockey rewards the man who guided the Pios to their ninth national title

David Carle isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. University of Denver Athletics announced Tuesday that the Pioneers have signed their men’s hockey coach to a contract extension through the 2026-27 season.

The Pioneers just went 31-9-1 last season en route to the NCAA title. Carle became the fourth-youngest head coach in division-I history to win a national championship, 32, and was later named the Coach of the Year by USCHO.com.

In four seasons as the bench boss in Denver, Carle has guided the Pioneers to an 86-43-13 overall record, two NCAA Frozen Fours, and that national title which tied a record for most by a college hockey program at nine.

“My family and I are thrilled to be staying in Denver for the foreseeable future,” said Carle in a news release from the school. “Being entrusted to lead this historic program is a tremendous responsibility and honor. Our staff and players are excited to build upon the many accomplishments we have achieved together in recent years. We remain steadfast in our pursuit of excelling in the classroom and winning on the ice, and we can’t wait to defend our championship this upcoming season.”

The Alaska native became the leader of the Pios in 2018 at just 28 years old. He’s been on the Denver hockey coaching staff in 13 of the last 14 seasons, first serving as a Student-Assistant Coach. He was an assistant on Jim Montgomery’s staff for the 2017 National Championship.

Carle’s brother, Matt Carle, is also one of the most decorated players in Pioneers’ history, taking home one of the school’s two Hobey Baker Awards for top collegiate player in the country. The other was won by Will Butcher, the star of the 2017 team.

***