Denver junior forward Ryan Dingle will forgo his senior year of eligibility after signing a two-year entry level contract with the NHL’s Anaheim Ducks, announced today. Terms of Dingle’s two-year deal were not disclosed. Dingle is expected to make his professional debut this week for the Portland Pirates of the AHL.
The 5-foot-10, 190-pound forward led the Pioneers in goals, power-play goals, shorthanded goals and game-winning goals the past two seasons. The two-time All-WCHA third-team honoree led the Pioneers with 22 goals this season and finished second on the team in scoring with 37 points. Dingle’s 27 goals in 2005-06 were the most by a Pioneer since Eric Murano’s 33 in 1989-90.
“Ryan has developed into an outstanding two-way hockey player,” Denver head coach George Gwozdecky said. “We wish him the best of luck in his pursuit of a career in the National Hockey League.”
Dingle finished his three-year Denver career with 98 points on 55 goals and 43 assists in 121 games. He netted two career hat tricks and finished his career ranked third all-time at Denver with six career shorthanded goals and 14 career game-winning goals.
He helped the Pioneers capture their seventh NCAA National Championship in 2004 and also helped the team to one WCHA regular-season title, one WCHA Final Five title and two Wells Fargo Denver Cup championships. Denver posted a 74-39-9 (.643) record during Dingle’s three-year tenure.
Dingle is the fourth Pioneer to turn pro early since Mark Rycroft left Denver at the end of his junior season in 2000. Brett Skinner (2005), Matt Carle (2006) and Paul Stastny (2006) were the first three student-athletes since Rycroft to leave Denver early to pursue professional careers.
