David Carle has been named the new head coach at Denver.
Carle becomes the ninth head coach in the history of the program, replacing Jim Montgomery, who was named head coach of the Dallas Stars on May 4.
“We are excited today to announce David Carle as the next head hockey coach at the University of Denver,” DU vice chancellor for athletics, recreation and Ritchie Center operations Karlton Creech said in a statement. “David was the very first person that I talked with about the job and after a thorough search process, David earned this opportunity. During the process, we received overwhelming positive support for David both internally and externally. His impeccable ethical reputation, intelligence, work ethic and strong relationship skills were the consistent themes in our evaluation. We look forward to many years of continued excellence in the hockey program under David’s leadership.”
Carle, 28, becomes the youngest active head coach in NCAA Division I college hockey. The Anchorage, Alaska, native served the previous four and a half seasons as an assistant coach with the Pioneers, joining the program on Jan. 1, 2014, following a season and a half as an assistant coach with the USHL’s Green Bay Gamblers.
Prior to joining the Gamblers, Carle served four seasons as a student assistant coach with the Pioneers after being diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the primary disease of the myocardium muscle of the heart, and being forced to retire from his playing career. Carle graduated from Denver in 2012.
“I am honored to be named the head coach of this historic program,” Carle added. “Having gone to school here, I am very proud to represent our great institution as its next head hockey coach. We will continue, as we always have, to strive for excellence both on and off the ice. This is a very special day for my family, of which I would not be in this position without.”
“David Carle is a very well-respected Pioneer alum who has a great knowledge base in collegiate hockey that will help him continue the legacy of head coach and program success at the University of Denver,” added Denver director of athletics Ron Grahame.
As a player, Carle was a defenseman at Shattuck-St. Mary’s, helping the Sabres capture back-to-back national titles in 2007 and 2008. He was selected by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the seventh round of the 2008 NHL draft and recruited to play at Denver before receiving his diagnosis.
Carle resides in Denver with his fiancé, Mellissa Lewis.
