On the day that Denver hockey’s Class of 2019 graduates – Jarid Lukosevicus and Colin Staub – received their diplomas, it’s worth noting the pair accomplished something only one other class has in the first 69 years of Pioneers hockey.

The two forwards were part of three Frozen Four teams in four years and four elite eight squads. Only the Class of 1972 matched the three Frozen Fours as active players. And no class has gone as far in the playoffs four times.

Two clarifications worth noting:

• Freshmen became eligible to participate in NCAA hockey in the fall of 1968, so the class of ’72 was the first DU cohort that had an opportunity to reach four NCAA Tournaments as active players. The classes of 1960, ’61 and ’69 each won two titles in three years.
• The Class of 2019 actually lost four members to NHL contracts last spring and summer – Dylan Gambrell, Blake Hillman, Logan O’Connor and Troy Terry. Let that sink in for a minute while pondering the Class of 2019.

It’s also notable that no class before 1972 reached the NCAA Tournament more than twice, even though the three aforementioned groups won multiple titles.

As you likely know by now, Lukosevicius and Staub had plenty to do with DU’s most recent crown – and eighth overall – in 2017. Lukosevicus was named the Frozen Four’s most outstanding player after he dropped a three-spot on Minnesota Duluth.

Looking at this past season holistically, it’s arguable that the duo exceeded those contributions. The Pioneers surpassed most external expectations and made a stirring run to the Frozen Four with just seven upperclassmen. They came within overtime of playing for a second national title in two seasons.

Staub captained the youthful Pioneers with an even hand, while Lukosevicius wore and “A” and provided the leadership group’s soundtrack (something along the lines of “I Won’t Back Down”.)

Lukosevicius, who has signed with the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League, finished his DU career with 105 points and 62 goals – a program-record 20 of those game winners. His 19 goals lead DU this past season, and his 29 points were third.

Staub, who recently underwent hip surgery, will suit up for KPMG and take regular shifts working in the business analytics arena, as DU media guru Matthew McGreevy detailed earlier this week. Staub finished eighth on the team with 16 points. He finished with 67 points and 30 goals and was a plus player in each of his four seasons.

So DU hockey fans, tap your hockey stick on the ice for the Class of 2019’s dynamic duo.

Notable

A total of 17 classes have been part of Denver’s eight NCAA championships. … Every class from 2011 forward has reached the NCAA Tournament four times because DU has reached the NCAAs every year since 2008 (12 seasons and counting). … Only the Class of 1973 reached the Frozen Four three years in a row, taking third each time. (The semifinal losers actually played for third place then).

©First Line Editorial 2019