Incoming recruits William Wrenn and Drew Shore highlighted the University of Denver’s three selections in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft on at Bell Centre in Montreal.
Wrenn, of Anchorage, Alaska, and Shore, of Denver, were both selected in the second round. Wrenn was selected No. 43 overall by San Jose, while Shore was picked No. 44 by Florida.
Wrenn is the third highest DU draft selection during the George Gwozdecky era since 1994.
Paul Phillips of Darien, Ill., was selected No. 195 in the seventh round by Chicago.
The Pioneers will have a school-best 13 NHL draft picks on their roster in 2009–10. The total surpasses the 11 NHL draft picks DU had in 2006–07.
Joe Colborne of Calgary, Alberta, went No. 16 to Boston and Patrick Wiercioch of Maple Ridge, British Columbia went No. 42 to Ottawa in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. Former Pioneer and current Colorado star Paul Stastny was selected No. 44 in 2005.
Wrenn and Shore starred for the United States National Developmental Team Program Under-18 Team last season in Ann Arbor, Mich. Wrenn served as team captain and recorded 17 points while Shore tallied 49 points. Shore and Wrenn helped Team USA to gold medals at the IIHF World Under–18 Championship, Five Nations Cup and Four Nations Cup in 2008-09.
The remaining Pioneers that have been drafted include: Brian Gifford, Pittsburgh Penguins; Rhett Rakhshani, New York Islanders; Matt Donovan, New York Islanders; John Lee, Florida Panthers; Tyler Ruegsegger, Toronto Maple Leafs; Marc Cheverie, Florida Panthers; Jesse Martin, Atlanta Thrashers; and Matt Glasser, Edmonton Oilers.