Whoever said August was a slow month for hockey obviously doesn’t follow DU because the Pioneers have had no shortage of news emerging this month.

I will dive into player news – and there is plenty of that – in my next post, but first I’d like to give a lengthy tap of the stick on the ice to outgoing hockey SID Rick Bowness Jr.

Bowness revealed Tuesday night that he has accepted a job with an ad agency in Littleton and will leave his post Sept. 8. A search is underway for his successor, and whomever that ends up being will have big skates to fill.

Bowness raised the Pioneers’ profile in the local and national media, and he wisely recognized social media could be an important tool for DU. Under his guidance, DU’s online presence increased many times over. And the timing could not have been better, with the Pioneers capping four consecutive years of improvement under coach Jim Montgomery with the school’s eighth national championship in April.

Bowness was a tremendous asset to the program, and a highly skilled and professional liaison to all outside of it.

“Bones” also was hugely supportive when I proposed the idea of Magness Mayhem two years ago, and his help with promoting it and providing me access to players and coaches was above and beyond. I always will be grateful for his help and guidance.

He will be missed, but I want to wish him all the best.

Elsewhere behind the scenes

Bowness’ departure comes on the heels of the Aug. 8 resignation of Director of Hockey Operations David Tenzer and the preceding departure of Video Coordinator Dave Rogowski.

The school release stated Tenzer will pursue “other opportunities” and spend more time with his family. In his 16 seasons at DU, the Pioneers won 20 or more games in every one of them, captured three national titles and won 402 games overall.

“It’s been an unbelievable 16 years here at Denver but my family and I have made the decision that it’s time for me to move on,” Tenzer told the school’s official website. “I’d like to thank George Gwozdecky and Jim Montgomery for the opportunity to work at a great school with a tremendous hockey program and I wish the Pioneers all the best this coming season and beyond. I’ve made countless lifelong friends and worked with some truly amazing individuals during my time at DU and will always cherish having had the opportunity to be a Pioneer.”

One day later, Joe Howe, who had served as a volunteer assistant the past two seasons, was elevated to the hockey operations position. Howe enjoyed a standout career as a goaltender at Colorado College earlier this decade.

“I’m looking forward to entering the next phase of my career here at Denver and I’m honored to be a part of such an amazing program and staff,” Howe told the website. “The last two years as a member of the DU Hockey Family have been incredible and I’m excited to play an expanded role with the Pioneers moving forward.”

Rogowski, who easily was the biggest pro rasslin fan on the Pioneers hockey staff,  accepted a position as director of hockey operations for the Clark Cup champion Chicago Steel of the United States Hockey League earlier this summer.

The Magness Arena press box will look a lot different this season.