DU's Recruiting Class Ranked #4 by INCH

(left) Incoming defenseman Cody Brookwell hopes to bring a physical presence to the Pioneers this season

InsideCollegeHockey.com judged DU's incoming Freshman class to be the 4th best in the country. DU recruits Rhett Rakhashani, Tyler Ruegsegger & Keith Seabrook were singled out as the top prospects. In the three years that INCH has been ranking the recruiting classes this was DU's highest showing (DU's 2004 Freshman class was ranked 8th, 2005's class was ranked #6).

INCH ranked Rhett Rakhashani as the #2 incoming forward based on his outstanding play at Team USA's Summer Hockey Challenge. They added, "the Huntington Beach, Calif., native isn't super fast or flashy, but with his game – he's a "north-south" player who likes to go to the net – he doesn't need to be.

Lakewood, Colorado native Tyler Ruegsegger played his prep hockey at Shattuck St. Mary's in Minnesota and is considered to be one of the top high school prospects in the state. INCH ranked Ruegsegger as the #11 incoming Freshman forward in the country.

Keith Seabrook was ranked as the #6 Defenseman and comes from British Columbia. He played his junior hockey with the Burnaby Express. INCH added, "Keith is not as big as his older brother, Chicago Blackhawk standout Brent Seabrook, but at 6-foot and 200 pounds, he won't get knocked around either. Played extremely well for Burnaby in last season's BCHL playoffs."

INCH also recognized Alberta recruit Matt Glasser, who was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers. "Glasser scored 49 points in 62 games for the AJHL's Fort McMurray Oil Barons two years ago. Due to injuries his production fell off to just 35 points in 58 contests last year."

Forward Brian Gifford was drafted in the 3rd Round by the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2004. He's from Moorhead, MN. and was the runner-up in Minnesota's Mr. Hockey award in 2004. Last two seasons were spent with the Indiana Ice of the USHL.

Defenseman Cody Brookwell (6'4" 215 lbs.) arrives at DU from Calgary, Alberta. After two seasons in the BCHL, Brookwell spent last season concentrating more on the physical side of his game. He noted, "I'm tried to bring a more physical presence to my game last year. As a leader and a bigger guy back there I've got to step it up in that area."

Brandon Vossberg rounds out the recruiting class. The Pioneers Roster lists him at Forward, although there was some talk of Vossberg playing defense. He played last season for the Santa Fe Roadrunners (NAHL) where he was Captain of the team. Vossberg hails from St. Paul, Minnesota.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good synopsis. DU also has forward Brian Gifford from the USHL coming in this year. This year's class is one of the bets ever for DU.

dggoddard said...

Nice catch. I'm obviously slipping...