Don Thiessen

Video Coach

Born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Don Thiessen played junior hockey for the Saskatoon Blades before moving on to play Div. 1 college hockey at the University of Denver. Thiessen helped the Pioneers capture back-to-back NCAA National Championships in 1967-68 and 1968-69 and served as captain during his senior season in 1969-70. During the 1967-68 season, Thiessen and his fellow teammates solidified themselves as one of the greatest teams in the school's history by culminating a school-record 22 consecutive wins with a 4-0 win over North Dakota in the 1968 NCAA National Championship game. The 1967-68 powerhouse posted a 28-5-1 overall record, capturing the WCHA regular season championship, WCHA playoff championship and NCAA National Championship in the same season while outscoring their opponents 183-65. Thiessen ended his playing career after one season at the pro level.

Thiessen coached minor hockey for 19 years in the Denver area following his playing career, guiding teams to national tournaments at the midget triple-A level and winning a national championship at the Junior ‘C’ level.