Denver Pioneers Capture 11th NCAA Hockey Title

Freshman goalie Johnny Hicks shines as Pioneers overcome Wisconsin's relentless attack

Apr. 12, 2026 at 2:43pm

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A fractured, geometric painting depicting a hockey game with players, puck, and arena elements broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color, conceptually representing the intensity and drama of the NCAA hockey championship.A cubist interpretation of the intense action and high-stakes drama of the 2023 NCAA hockey championship game between the Denver Pioneers and Wisconsin Badgers.Denver Today

The Denver Pioneers defeated the Wisconsin Badgers to win the 2023 NCAA hockey championship, the 11th national title in program history. Freshman goaltender Johnny Hicks was the hero, making several clutch saves to preserve the victory despite Wisconsin dominating possession and outshooting Denver throughout the game.

Why it matters

This win further cements Denver's status as the premier college hockey program in the country, with more national titles than any other school. It also highlights the ability of smaller schools to compete at the highest level through strong team chemistry, adaptability, and determination.

The details

Despite being outshot and outplayed for much of the game, the Pioneers were able to hang tough and eventually find their rhythm, scoring the game-tying goal late in the third period before netting the winner in overtime. Freshman goalie Johnny Hicks was the star of the game, making several acrobatic saves to keep Denver in it despite Wisconsin's relentless pressure.

  • The 2023 NCAA hockey championship game took place on April 8, 2023.
  • Denver won its 11th national title with the victory.

The players

Johnny Hicks

A freshman goaltender for the Denver Pioneers, Hicks made several clutch saves to preserve the victory despite being outshot throughout the game.

Denver Pioneers

The Denver Pioneers are the most successful college hockey program in the country, with 11 national championships to their name.

Wisconsin Badgers

The Wisconsin Badgers were the runner-up in the 2023 NCAA hockey championship, dominating possession and outshooting Denver but ultimately falling short.

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What they’re saying

“This win is a testament to the heart and determination of our team. We knew we were going to be outmatched, but we never gave up and found a way to get it done.”

— David Carle, Head Coach, Denver Pioneers

“Johnny Hicks was the difference-maker tonight. His ability to see through traffic and make those big saves kept us in the game when we were struggling to find our rhythm.”

— Liam Lorenz, Captain, Denver Pioneers

What’s next

The Denver Pioneers will look to defend their national title next season, as they aim to cement their status as the premier college hockey program in the country.

The takeaway

The Denver Pioneers' victory over Wisconsin is a testament to the power of team spirit, adaptability, and determination. It's a reminder that success in hockey is not just about talent and skill, but also about the ability to overcome adversity and find solutions under pressure.