Assistant coach and alumnus David Carle (BSBA ’12) was promoted to head coach of the men’s hockey team in May. Photo courtesy of DU Athletics
The Pioneers kept it in the family when it came time to choose a new hockey coach. In May, assistant coach and alumnus David Carle (BSBA ’12) was promoted to head coach of the men’s hockey team. Carle, the ninth head coach in the history of the program, replaced Jim Montgomery, who was named head coach of the NHL’s Dallas Stars on May 4.
“David earned this opportunity,” said Karlton Creech, vice chancellor for athletics, recreation and Ritchie Center operations. “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 — younger brother of NHL player and DU alumnus Matt Carle — served the previous four-and-a-half seasons as an assistant coach with the Pioneers, following a season-and-a-half as an assistant coach with the Green Bay Gamblers of the United States Hockey League. Prior to joining the Gamblers, Carle — initially recruited as a player — 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, which forced him to retire from his playing career.
“I am honored to be named the head coach of this historic program,” Carle said. “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.”