Being from Colorado, Harrison Boettiger has always known about the tradition of college hockey at Denver.

Starting with the 2025-26 or 2026-27 season, the Wheat Ridge native will suit up for the Pioneers.

“I actually accelerated a year, so I went from being a sophomore to a junior very suddenly and DU found out that had happened and reached out to me,” Boettiger said. “We kept talking for months until I knew DU was right for me. The hockey speaks for itself – 10 national championships (the latest in 2024), the most of any program in college hockey. It is the best place you can be as a hockey player because you can develop at a high rate and win hockey games. I’ve heard great things about the academics and it is a prestigious hockey university.”

Boettiger expects to excel on and off the ice at DU.

“Academics have always been important to my family and I,” said Boettiger. “Hockey ends for everybody, so it is huge to have a backup plan when that day comes. I am pretty sure I will be majoring in business, which greatly interests me.”

Last season, Boettiger played for the U.S. National Team Development Program in Plymouth, Mich., and will do so again this coming season.
 
“Playing and developing at the NTDP has been crucial and it allows you to practice with the best players in the country every single day,” Boettiger said. “There are no off days, and every line would be a first line on any other team. You also learn habits on and off the ice like work ethic, nutrition, and making the right decisions off the ice. All of these things will play a role into me having the opportunity to one day play hockey at DU.

“My expectations and goals for this coming season are to keep getting better every day and hopefully win a gold medal when May comes around (at the World Under-18 Championship).”

Growing up, Boettiger played for the Arvada Hockey Association and Colorado Thunderbirds.

Photo/Rena Laverty/USA Hockey’s NTDP

— Matt Mackinder

(August 8, 2024)