Second-ranked Denver’s hockey present appears fine, and its hockey future looks encouraging, too.

Zeev Buium

Freshman defenseman Zeev Buium and nine players who have verbally committed to the Pioneers for future seasons made NHL Central Scouting’s Preliminary Players to Watch list released on Oct. 26.

Buium, who has stepped right into a top-pairing role with junior Sean Behrens, is the lone player among the 10 to receive an A rating, meaning he is projected to be a first-round pick in June’s 2024 NHL Entry Draft. Buium is one of five Pioneers averaging a point or more per game through four games.

He is the younger brother of Pioneers junior defenseman Shai Buium, who was a second-round pick of the Detroit Red Wings in 2021.

The watch list includes three players who received a C rating, meaning they’re draft candidates for the fourth or fifth rounds. All are 2024 commits unless otherwise noted.

• Right wing Hagen Burrows (6-foot-1 1/2, 174 pounds) plays for Minnetonka High School in Minnesota. He is a 2025 commit.
• Center Brendan McMorrow (5-11, 189) plays for the U.S. National Team Development Program.
• Center Finn McLaughlin (6-1, 185) plays for Youngstown of the United States Hockey League.

Six more players received a W rating, meaning they’re candidates for the sixth or seventh rounds.

• Left wing Hunter Anderson (5-9, 189) plays for Muskegon (USHL).
• Defenseman William Felicio (5-9 1/2, 160) plays for Madison (USHL).
• Center Jake Fisher (6-2, 192) plays for Fargo (USHL).
• Defenseman Tory Pitner (6-1, 183) plays for Youngstown (USHL). He is a 2025 commit.
• Right wing James Reeder (5-10, 168) plays for Dubuque (USHL).
• Center Reid Varkunji (5-10, 186) plays for Salmon Arm of the British Columbia Hockey Leauge.

Verbal commitments are non-binding. Players may sign National Letters of Intent on Nov. 8.

The Pioneers currently have 12 NHL draft picks on their roster.

©First Line Editorial 2023