Jonathan Horowitz

Ashley and I enjoyed our much-needed getaway to Vegas and took in the game where VGK clinched the Western Conference Finals and a berth to the Stanley Cup Finals. We had the pleasure to meet PA announcer before the game and sit with our good friend . They definitely brought the energy at , and Ashley pointed out it’s the closest thing she’s seen to a nightclub outside of… a nightclub.

What Sibelius, Artist, and Suspiros did on April 26 is something to celebrate for the Thoroughbred breed, and for this writer in particular. Read more in the comments.

With hosting the banquet to celebrate its record 11th National Championship, I’m reflecting on the great memories of the past season getting to be in the middle of the action as the PA announcer. The atmosphere for home games at Magness Arena was electric. New for me this season were announcing the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game at Ball Arena, plus the NCHC Frozen Faceoff played on campus for the first time and the NCAA Regionals at Blue Arena in Loveland.

This past season also coincided with a major moment in my life—moving from Colorado to Virginia and selling the farm in Parker. To be at DU games meant 14 trips from Virginia to Colorado, including five straight weekends from the end of the regular season into the playoffs. In total, they included 30 flights, as well as a drive across country with Ashley after the farm closed, and a trip to California to celebrate my mom’s birthday. I’m grateful that Ashley and Chase encourage me to chase my dreams, as I do for theirs. Ash got to be at Ball Arena, plus the Minnesota Duluth series in January that I would say served as the team’s base camp before climbing college hockey’s Everest. When I visited Denver, I most frequently stayed with Ashley’s brother, Tommy, and his wife, Erica, and my amazing nephew and niece that would come to DU games dressed as hot dogs. The “DU Dawgs” were most visible at the NCHC Frozen Faceoff Championship, and I loved the energy of the crowd when they were on the video board. I also appreciate the many times our friend Jen picked me up from the airport and let me borrow her car for hockey weekends.

Thank you to DU for letting me be part of this special run, and I look forward to seeing you all back in Magness Arena when next season starts in October.

Today would have been Uno’s 9th birthday. This is how we celebrated his birthday five years ago today…“a birthday eye patch” for “a special dude”…“a special dude” I had to say goodbye to way too soon. I still think about Uno a lot. There’s a reason he came into my life and made such a lasting impression.