DU Lands 2 First-Round NHL Picks as Daxon Rudolph Goes No. 4 and Ryan Lin No. 21
Updated
Updated · The Denver Post · Jun 27
DU Lands 2 First-Round NHL Picks as Daxon Rudolph Goes No. 4 and Ryan Lin No. 21
3 articles · Updated · The Denver Post · Jun 27
Summary
No. 4 pick Daxon Rudolph and No. 21 Ryan Lin became the first pair of first-round NHL draft picks set to share Denver’s roster, a program first for the defending NCAA champions.
Rudolph also became the highest draft selection in DU history after Buffalo took the 6-foot-2 defenseman in his hometown; San Jose later selected fellow defenseman Lin at No. 21.
Rudolph arrives after posting 28 goals and 78 points in 68 WHL games for Prince Albert, while Lin had 14 goals and 57 points in 53 games for Vancouver and two straight U-18 worlds with Canada.
Their arrival helps Denver replace four departed defensemen and highlights how the NCAA’s new CHL eligibility rules are reshaping recruiting; the Pioneers’ freshman class includes seven CHL players.