NCAA: No Pioneers on Road to Denver

Winners of the WCHA Tournament, and serving as the NCAA Tournament host for the Frozen Four, the Denver Pioneers season came to an abrupt end after losing 6-2 to the Wisconsin Badgers in the Midwest Regional Semifinal. McKeen's correspondent Max Giese has notes on many Pioneers, including several NHL draft picks such as Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Tyler Ruegsegger.

Tyler Bozak (UFA), C, Denver Pioneers

Intelligent multi-dimensional center that was named to the WCHA All-Rookie Team and was chosen All-WCHA Third Team .. skates well with the puck and utilizes his long strides to accelerate to his adequate top gear fluidly .. handles the puck well in traffic areas and can distribute passes in tight deftly from both sides of his stick .. scoring 18 goals this year, Bozak incisively finds the quiet areas around the net and can finish with his fast release .. displaying exceptional puck smarts, Bozak always makes the correct play with the puck, whether it is attacking with the puck or being patient and waiting for the play to develop .. disguises his intentions before nearly every pass he makes .. a complete player, Bozak is a savvy defender that has effectively checked some of the WCHA's top centers and possesses the ability to transition his stellar defensive work into offensive opportunities heading the other way .. competitive and sturdy in scrums .. detailed player that is strong on draws .. Bozak emerged as Denver's most promising prospect this year as a freshman and his services will likely create a bidding war amongst NHL teams once he decides to go pro.

Tyler Ruegsegger (Tor), C, Denver Pioneers

Natural goal scorer with electric dangling ability and a wicked shot .. skating is the notable drawback, as his sluggish acceleration halts his ability to gain any separation from defenders .. his lateral mobility is okay and thanks to his velvety soft hands, Ruegsegger is a dangerous one-on-one threat that utilizes electrifying stick fakes, such as the toe drag to elude defenders .. a pure goal scorer that is a threat to score anywhere from inside the blueline with a dynamic release, heavy shot, and a sniper's precision accuracy .. Denver runs an umbrella powerplay and Ruegsegger fluctuates between the half-wall and the point depending on the situation .. competitive player that brings it every shift and is strong on his feet with the ability to cover the puck well to maintain position while the opposition tries to take him off it .. comes deep into the defensive zone to aide in coverage .. owning one of the best shots in college hockey, Ruegsegger is an intriguing prospect that could be a gem if his feet catch up to his hands.

Chris Butler (Buf), D, Denver Pioneers

Steadying two-way junior defenseman that was chosen All-WCHA Second Team .. overall, an okay skater that can utilize his long strides to find another gear when the situation calls for it .. although his first step could still be upgraded .. skates and sees the ice well with the puck, as he is capable of eluding the forecheck with his feet before hitting a teammate in stride with the first pass .. possessing a quickly released slapshot, Butler quarterbacked the Denver powerplay, although he makes some curious decisions with the puck when pressured .. assertively tries to suffocate the puckcarrier's options while defending and he utilizes his healthy-sized frame to be an effective defender in the trenches .. Buffalo will likely consider signing him, although another year of College would not hurt him.

Andrew Thomas (Wsh), D, Denver Pioneers

Senior captain that utilizes his size and mobility to emerge as a reliable stay-at-home defenseman .. a flourishing skater for a player of his size, Thomas has a strong stride that stimulates his ability to accelerate instantaneously .. was a top-pairing defenseman for Denver this season but came off the ice for the powerplay .. keeps the game simple when the puck is on his stick, as he passes the puck cautiously, careful to never turn the puck over .. his defensive positioning is sound and at 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds, Thomas is a big man that can neutralize his man effectively on the wall with a stiff jolt .. Washington is deep with blossoming young defenseman but Thomas should receive a look from someone in the AHL.

Rhett Rakhshani (NYI), RW, Denver Pioneers

Fiercely competitive and skilled two-way winger .. his skating mechanics are fine however, Rakshani lacks strength to his stride, which is evident by his inability to gain separation from the opposition despite his fast pumping feet .. hard-working player that rarely gives up on a play, although his lack of strength is evident in the way that he gets knocked off his feet by moderately sized opponents and how he seemingly disappears when the contest grows in physicality .. only a sophomore, Rakshani has a knack for creating offense and still has plenty of time to bulk up and add some power to his skating before turning pro.

Jesse Martin (Atl), C, Denver Pioneers

Gritty and heady two-way center that emerged as one of Denver's most effective forwards down the stretch .. adequately mobile with smooth mobility in tight quarters, Martin would benefit from added explosiveness and power to his skating .. understated playmaker with good vision and decent creativity, as he can move the puck well in tight areas from both sides of his stick .. deceptively skilled with the ability to pull the puck out of his feet and ready to make a play without losing stride .. utilized on both special teams and his effectiveness in the faceoff circle lends to him being on the ice at critical moments in the game .. he is thin and will need to add some muscle, however he is not scared to venture into traffic areas and pay the price to score the garbage goal .. his sub par statistics do not tell the story of the upward development curve that he was on during his freshman season.

Matt Glasser (Edm), LW, Denver Pioneers

Spunky grinder that is most effective while getting under the opponents skin .. a strong skater with a non-stop motor, Glasser is an effective forechecker that takes the proper lanes to the puck before utilizing his active stick to create a turnover .. ineffective at generating offense with the puck on his stick, as he tends to suffocate his own options by skating himself into trouble while carrying the puck .. after only scoring two goals this year as a sophomore, Glasser must take his offensive game a big step forward next season.

Peter Mannino (UFA), G, Denver Pioneers

Senior goaltender that backstopped Denver to a national championship in 2006 was recently chosen All-WCHA Third Team .. came up with a few breakaway saves at key moments that gave Denver a chance to remain in the game .. his glove hand is especially athletic .. likes to give the shooter far side before taking it away quickly .. struggled to find the puck in traffic and recover after the initial shot, which leads him susceptible to being beaten too easily by garbage goals.