Alaskan Pipeline Flows Through Denver

DU Receives Commitment From William Wrenn

In 2003 Matt Carle arrived at the University of Denver from Alaska and apparently opened the door for DU to harvest promising hockey players from the "Land of the Midnight Sun."

Yesterday Western College Hockey and other recruiting websites announced that DU had received a verbal commitment from defenseman William Wrenn from Anchorage, Alaska. Wrenn will arrive at DU in 2009 and will be joined by fellow Alaskan and current USNDP teammate Adam Murray who is considered to be the top goaltending recruit in 2009.

Wrenn is listed at 6' 1", 185 lbs. & is 16 years old. U.S. Hockey Report describes Wrenn as "tough, physical and plays with an edge." Both Michigan and Michigan State were also said to be after Wrenn.

Western College Hockey Blog noted that, "The Pioneers are building what could be an amazing defense for 2009 with Wrenn, and a pair of USHL defenseman in Matt Donovan and Paul Phillips, and Murray in goal."

Wrenn, and goaltender Adam Murray play for USA Hockey’s prestigious National Team Development Program based in Ann Arbor, Mich. Murray did a stint with the program late last season. Wrenn has played the last couple seasons for the L.A. Selects and won a U-14 national title with the Selects. The NTDP has been home for a dozen or so Alaskans in the last decade, including for DU player and Hobey Baker winning defenseman Matt Carle.

2008 Recruiting Class
Joe Colborne - F Camrose (AJHL)
John Lee - D Waterloo (USHL)

2009 Recruiting Class
Nate Dewhurst - F Des Moines (USHL)
Matt Donovan - D Cedar Rapids (USHL)
Paul Phillips - D Cedar Rapids (USHL)
Adam Murray - G USNDP Under 17 (USNDP)
William Wrenn -D USNDP Under 17 (USNDP)