For Colorado native Thompson, DU was a no-brainer
Photo by Bailey Hillesheim/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
University of Denver’s Aidan Thompson talks about why he chose to join the program. Denver, CO — Aidan Thompson is one of three players for the University of Denver who is a local. The Fort Collins, Colorado native grew up cheering for the Pioneers.
“So it was kind of a no-brainer when DC (David Carle) and Tavis (Tavis MacMillan) recruited me when Monty (Jim Montgomery) was coach, so it was pretty special,” Thompson said.
Aidan Thompson with the takeaway and the wrister to get the Pioneers on the board first.#GoPios pic.twitter.com/rALLOmgcLB— Denver Hockey (@DU_Hockey) March 3, 2024
Family has always been a big factor in Thompson’s life. Another reason he chose DU was because it was so close to home. His mom and dad attend almost every home game that the Pioneers play at Magness Arena. It makes games against Minnesota-Duluth and St. Cloud State that much more exciting for the youngster.
“A lot of my family relatives are from Minnesota,” Thompson said. “So I have even more family when we go there.”
REPLAY: Aidan Thompson cleans up to open the scoring. pic.twitter.com/b5ZKl1iWJm— Denver Hockey (@DU_Hockey) March 17, 2024
Hockey has always been an enormous commitment for the Chicago Blackhawks draft pick. Thompson made the commute to Boulder, about 45 minutes with good traffic, to play. Later, he would switch teams to one south of Denver.
“I knew a bunch of the guys on the team, and we had a great team,” Thompson said. “So I think that was, that was the biggest reason.”
The Colorado Thunderbirds is also a well-known program in the state. They have notable NHL alumni such as Troy Terry, Jacob and Josiah Slavin, Gustav and Fredrik Olofsson, Nolan Foote, and Brandon Carlo.
Thompson has shown a lot of success in the Pioneers’ first four games of the season. He is second on the team in points behind Jack Devine and ahead of his other linemate Carter King. The Pioneers are undefeated in their four games so far.
“I think we’re connecting well, and the team’s doing really well too,” said Thompson. “So I think as long as we continue to get better and have team success, I think it’ll be great.”
“I think he’s working at a really high level,” Head coach David Carle said. “He’s catching people without the puck, and I think he’s possessing pucks more than he did a year ago. I’m so happy for him. His shot has improved, as well as his one-timer has improved a lot. So a lot of growth in his game that he put in the work in the summer, and I’m happy for him and it’s funny when you work hard and you have a great summer. The results come so really happy for him that he’s getting rewarded early here.”
The Chicago Blackhawks drafted Thompson in 2022, so the Colorado Avalanche may have to keep an eye out for him as their competition in the Central Division. If he continues to have the same success that he has had in the first four games, the Pioneers will no doubt have no issues with the rest of the NCHC conference this year. ...
Want the trending hockey news in your inbox daily?.
Just add your email, and we'll start sending you the most important hockey news of the day.
