Western Collegiate Hockey Association
Denver Pioneers Ink Six to NLIs
Nov. 28, 2008
DENVER - Two-time national coach of the year George Gwozdecky has announced that Matt Donovan (Edmond, Okla.), Adam Murray (Anchorage, Alaska), Shawn Ostrow (Calgary, Alberta), Paul Phillips (Darien, Ill.), Drew Shore (Denver) and William Wrenn (Anchorage, Alaska) have signed National Letters of Intent to attend the University of Denver and play hockey for the Pioneers.
"We are pleased to announce another outstanding recruiting class," Gwozdecky said. "All six of these young men are talented hockey players and quality young men, who will fit nicely into the Pioneer hockey family next fall."
Donovan is a standout defenseman for the Cedar Rapids Roughriders of the United States Hockey League. The 6-0, 190-pound blueliner has netted seven points on one goal and six assists, and a +6 plus/minus rating in 12 games for Cedar Rapids this season. Donovan earned all-tournament honors for Team USA en route to gold medal honors at the 2008 World Junior A Challenge in Camrose, Alberta, on Nov. 2-9. Donovan totaled 12-18--30 and a team-leading +19 plus/minus rating last season for the Roughriders. Donovan was selected in the fourth round (96th overall) by the New York Islanders in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. He is the son of Larry and Kathryn Donovan.
Murray is one of three incoming recruits that are currently playing for the United States National Team Development Program (USNTDP) Under-18 Team in Ann Arbor, Mich. The 6-1, 191-pound netminder has posted a 6-2 record with a 3.20 GAA and .886 Sv% against collegiate and international programs this fall. Murray helped the U.S. Under-18 National Team to the gold medal at the 2008 Men's Under-18 Four Nations Cup held in Lake Placid, N.Y., from Nov. 4-9. Murray stopped 22 shots in Team USA's 4-2 win over Switzerland and 33 shots in a 3-1 victory over Sweden. He is the son of Tim and Pam Murray.
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Ostrow is a gifted playmaker from Camrose of the Alberta Junior Hockey League. The 5-10, 175-pound forward has been sidelined with an injury all season after totaling 25-37--62 in 60 games with current Pioneer Joe Colborne (Calgary, Alberta) for the AJHL and Doyle Cup champion Kodiaks last season. Ostrow is the younger brother of Pioneer forward Kyle Ostrow (Calgary, Alberta) and son of Frank and Donna Ostrow.
Phillips is a talented defenseman and teammate of Donavan's at Cedar Rapids. The 5-11, 190-pound blueliner has 2-8--10 in 13 games for the Roughriders this season. Phillips has a +6 plus/minus rating and team-leading 25 penalty minutes. Phillips was a member of the 2008 U.S. Under-18 Select Team that was coached by former DU assistant coach and current RPI head coach Seth Appert which participated in the 2008 Memorial of Ivan Hlinka Tournament in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Phillips was also a member of the 2007 U.S. Under-17 Select Team. He is the son of Paul and Bonnie Phillips.
Shore is a high-scoring forward for the USNTDP Under-18 Team. Shore is tied for the team lead with 18 points on seven goals and 11 assists in 19 games. He has added two game-winning goals and two power-play goals for the USNTDP. The 6-2, 188-pound forward netted two goals during Team USA's run to the gold medal at the 2008 Men's Under-18 Four Nations Cup and was also a standout member for the USNTDP Under-17 Team last season. Shore is the son of Dave and Sarah Shore.
Wrenn is a physical defenseman and team captain for the USNTDP Under-18 Team. The 6-1, 195-pounder has three assists and 27 penalty minutes this season and was a major contributor for the USNTDP Under-17 Team last season. Wrenn was named the top defenseman at the 2008 Vlad Dzurilla Four Nations Tournament for the Under-17 Team last season. He is the son of Bobby and Allison Wrenn.
