Ted O’Leary, a member of Denver’s 2004 and 2005 NCAA championship teams, died Sunday in Denver.
O’Leary was just 29. His family said the cause of death is unknown.
“Hard worker, well respected by his teammates, assistant captain his senior year, and he understood his role. Very good penalty killer. Excellent student,” DU associate head coach Steve Miller said Wednesday to the Denver Post. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the O’Leary family.”
O’Leary played in 67 career games with the Pioneers and was named the WCHA student-athlete of the year as a senior in 2006, just before graduating magna cum laude with a biology degree. He also earned a master’s degree at DU’s Daniels College of Business.
O’Leary went on to study medicine at New York Medical College.
Private funeral services are Friday at the Guardian Angels Catholic Church in Mead.
O’Leary is survived by his parents, Michael and Kathleen O’Leary, and older siblings Michael, Sean and James O’Leary and Suzanne Donohoe.
“Ted was a very special person and will be greatly missed,” the O’Leary family wrote in a statement. “We take solace in our faith in the love and mercy of God and from the outpouring of love and support from our friends and family. We’d like to express our thanks for the prayers and support we have received during this difficult time.”
