Denver – University of Denver hockey team mourns loss of alumnus Todd Kiddpassed away on Friday, July 12, 2024, at the age of 49.
“The Denver hockey family is grieving right now and is in shock over Todd's passing,” said head hockey coaches Richard and Kitzia Goodman. David Carl“It's our alumni that make this place special, and we are devastated by this tragedy. Todd was a courageous defenseman for our teams in the late '90s who, under coach George Gwozdecki, brought DU back into the national spotlight and laid the foundation for our program today. Our thoughts are with Todd's family, friends and all of his former teammates during this indescribable time.”
A four-year letterman for the Pioneers, Kidd played in 140 games from 1995-1999. The defenseman totaled 51 points (8 goals/43 assists) and 265 penalty minutes during his time at DU. He recorded a career-best 15 points (3 goals/12 assists) during his WCHA senior season in 1998-1999 and a team-high 90 penalty minutes as a sophomore in 1996-1997. Kidd was named to the WCHA All-Academic Team four times and represented the league on the All-Star team in Switzerland in 1999.
“Todd is the most unique person I know and probably ever will know,” the DU grad said. Kevin Ripplingerwas Todd's teammate throughout all four of their years in Denver. “He truly was a free spirit in the best sense of the word. I always admired how he stayed true to who he was and moved effortlessly between different interests and friend groups. He was a big guy and looked intimidating, but deep down he was kind and had a gentle heart. Todd had his own unique sayings and quotes that anyone who knew him would never forget and quote forever, whether it was for three hours or 30 years. Todd was a good, true, lifelong friend. My life is better and more interesting because of him. I will never forget him.”
“Todd had a great personality and heart that attracted a wide range of people and friends,” one alumnus said. Shawn Krulakplayed four years with Todd at DU. “He was the type of guy who could literally meet someone from any background and be a great friend. He was always himself and people loved that about him. He had his own language and vocabulary that you just couldn't help but use and laugh out loud. He was a great teammate, a great friend and one of a kind. We'll never see anyone like him again.”
A native of Fort Collins, Colorado, Kidd played three seasons of professional hockey after his time at DU, appearing in two American Hockey League games with the Hamilton Bulldogs in 1999-00. Kidd also played that year with the Houston Aeros of the International Hockey League and the Florida Everblades and Tallahassee Tiger-Sharks of the East Coast Hockey League, totaling 201 penalty minutes and 19 points (2 goals/17 assists) in 69 ECHL games. He returned to Tallahassee in 2000-01 and finished his career with the Long Beach Ice Dogs of the West Coast Hockey League in 2001-02.
Kidd was injured while working as a security guard at a restaurant in the Reno neighborhood of Denver on the evening of July 10 and died two days later, last Friday afternoon.
Todd's memorial service will be held at the University of Denver's Ritchie Center. Saturday, August 24 from 2pm to 5pm Click here for more information and to respond.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Todd's memory. University of Denver Murray Armstrong Men's Hockey Student-Athlete Enhancement FundDonations will be used to enhance the student-athlete experience and ensure the long-term success of DU hockey. Click here to donate.
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