David Francis

Background

Dave Huntzicker was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan to Tom and Kay (Stipe) Huntzicker.

Career

Tom played ice hockey for Colgate University (1965-1968) and the Syracuse Stars (1969-1970). Dave played defense for Pioneer High School and the Compuware Ambassadors in the North American Hockey League from 1994 to 1997. In 1997, Huntzicker walked onto the University of Michigan hockey team

The prior year"s team contained many seniors, placed first in the conference and advanced to the Frozen Four.

The 1997–1998 Wolverine hockey team was supposed to be in a re-building mode, fielding ten freshman players. Although Coach Berenson initially told Huntzicker that he might never play an National Collegiate Athletic Association game, Huntzicker played in all 46 games that season, including the Wolverines 3–2 overtime victory in the National Collegiate Athletic Association championship game.

Huntzicker was named CCHA Player of the Week (3/6-8/98) and received a Bob Ufer spirit trophy his freshman year. In 1998-1999, the Wolverines would finish second in the conference and reach the National Collegiate Athletic Association quarterfinal.

Huntzicker was named to the 2000 All-CCHA Second Team.

Huntzicker was named to the Great Lakes Invitational all-tournament team his sophomore and junior years. In 2000 and 2001, Huntzicker was given the Academic All-Big Ten At-Large award. His senior year, Huntzicker was named assistant captain, but suffered a torn Master of Comparative Laws on November 20 and recovery took several months, missing the GLI. The Wolverines tied for second in the conference and again reached the Frozen Four.

In 2001, Huntzicker was named to the CCHA All-Tournament Team and the Wolverine coaching staff selected Huntzicker for the Joseph East. Barss Award, given to the player who best exemplifies the true team player.

Huntzicker eventually played 155 games, despite injuries his senior year, ranked 18th all-time for Wolverine defensemen. Huntzicker received letters all four years and graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in Organizational Studies.

After college, Huntzicker was not drafted, but signed an National Hockey League contract with the Calgary Flames. He played two years with Calgary"s Saint John affiliate before retiring due to injury.

As of 2011–2012, Huntzicker lived in Ann Arbor, Michigan, working in the insurance industry and assisting with coaching ice hockey at Pioneer High School.

Huntzicker is also a frequent radio commentator for Wolverine hockey games.

Achievements

• In 1999–2000, the team won the conference and again reached the National Collegiate Athletic Association quarterfinals.