Defenseman Adrian Veideman was a mainstay on DU’s NCAA championship teams in 2004 and 2005, playing extensively as a freshman and sophomore on those teams. Overall, he played in 151 games during his four-year Pioneers career and scored 60 points. He was the Pioneers’ captain during the 2006-07 season.

From DU he went on to a nine-year professional career that included parts of three seasons in the American Hockey League, and five more in Europe before playing last season for the Colorado Eagles of the East Coast Hockey League. He graciously took some time recently to answer some questions from Magness Mayhem and share about an initiative to reconnect DU hockey alumni.

Adrian, can you update us on what you’re doing now?

I am really excited to be back in Denver after playing professionally all over the globe for nine seasons.  I launched my own residential Real Estate business with RE/MAX and have been really enjoying the challenge of putting my DU degree to work.  My wife and I married last year and make our home in Observatory Park, so we are super excited to be able to attend many DU events, especially hockey games. I am also coaching the U16 Thunderbirds hockey team with DU alum Angelo Ricci. That has kept me in the game, and I am really enjoying that as well.

It probably goes without saying, but what were some of your favorite memories while playing at DU?

Obviously the back-to-back national championships (in 2004-05) are at the top of my list of favorite memories. But when I look back on my days at DU it was the friendships that I formed and the education I was provided that are among the greatest memories that I have. People always ask me what it was like to win those national championships, and every time I explain the feeling it brings me back to those moments, and to this day it gives me chills.

 

As competitive as the NCHC is today, DU had some pretty heated rivalries in the WCHA when you played. Are there any especially memorable moments?

Back when I played and the WCHA was the greatest conference in college hockey our two biggest rivals were North Dakota and CC. Whenever people ask about our championship teams I always describe 2004 as one of the biggest underdog stories of all time. We just barely squeaked into the tournament (the Pioneers were 21-12-5 going into the NCAA Tournament) and we upset the best team in the country at the West regional in Colorado Springs. That game against North Dakota was the biggest win I had ever experienced, and it moved us on to the Frozen Four in Boston. I think Adam Berkhoel had 65 saves & we scored with a minute left to beat a team of now proven NHL stars to win 1-0. And of course the 2004 final against Maine (another 1-0 victory) was an instant classic, but we don’t get that opportunity without an upset of North Dakota.

What were some of the highlights of your pro career?

I think the biggest highlight of my pro career was getting to see places that I would have never dreamed of.  Experiencing culture and living in many countries was truly amazing.  It really opened my eyes to what the world is all about, and I strongly believe that it is something that forced me to mature and to develop a well-rounded outlook on life. I was fortunate enough to win a championship in Austria and another in Norway, as well as to compete against Europe’s top teams in the Champions Hockey League. The minor leagues in North America were a challenge, and I quickly realized that there are so many players and that you are a small fish in a big pond. My years in Europe were incredible and I could tell stories for days about them.

Have you been able to keep in touch with your teammates? 

It is so hard to keep in touch with everyone that I ever played with, but if you ask anyone that played the game they will tell you that there is a group of people from each team that they are close with to this day. The world has become such a small place that it is easy to keep in touch with people.  My closest friends are people within the Denver community, and I take a tremendous amount of pride in friendships that I have developed all over the globe.

You’re very passionate about reconnecting DU hockey alumni, and I understand you’ve planned a gathering for November. Can you tell us more about that?

Having the opportunity to play for such a historic and prestigious school and to create some history with my teammates was incredible. The culture within the program is something that I have always had pride in. There has been a disconnect in the past with our alumni group, but now that I am retired from the game, I am attempting to bring that culture back to life! We have an alumni gathering scheduled for the November 19 game against Miami, and we are looking forward to having as many alums as possible back in the building and to creating a strong alumni following again. (Adrian can be reached at veideman.adrian@gmail.com or tweet him at @veids)

Obviously you like the Denver area, what are your favorite aspects of it?

I was born and raised in a small town in Canada and from my initial visit to Denver I was hooked. It was the first school visit I took and I committed, canceling my other four scheduled visits. … Denver is my home and of course you can’t beat the 300-plus days of sunshine.  I also enjoy the quality of living here and the opportunity.  Success comes to those who are willing to work, and I am motivated to establish myself within the Denver business community!

Thank you for the opportunity to tell my story and I look forward to seeing you all at Magness for years to come!

Adrian Veideman (2007)