Four members of Denver’s 2022-23 hockey team and a fifth who is slated to join the Pioneers next summer were selected in Friday’s second day of the NHL Entry Draft at Montreal.

Incoming forwards Rieger Lorenz, Miko Matikka and Aidan Thompson, as well as rising sophomore Jack Devine were picked, as was defenseman Garrett Brown, who is projected to join the program in 2023.

Lorenz, Matikka and Thompson gave the Pioneers three players selected in the first three rounds for the second year in a row. Last year it was defensemen Sean Behrens and Shai Buium and forward Carter Mazur.

Denver has had players selected every year since 2002.

(Note: Scouting reports were compiled from multiple sources and represent only a loose overview of skills in relation to NHL players, per scouts).

Rieger Lorenz

Lorenz, a 6-foot-2, 194-pounder who can play either left wing center, was DU’s highest pick, going in the second round (56th overall) to the Minnesota Wild. Lorenz was one of the top goal scorers in the Alberta Junior Hockey League, burying 38 in 60 regular-season games, when had 85 points. He added 11 points in 14 playoff games.

He was the fourth forward the Wild picked in the first 56 choices, and he also was the tallest.

Scouting report: Excellent hands, which are apparent when he’s both stick handling and shooting. A fantastic release helps account for his goal-scoring knack. His skating is solid but not spectacular.

Miko Matikka

Matikka, a 6-3, 187-pound right wing, was the second player off the board in the third round, going 67th overall to Arizona. He played for Jokerit’s Junior team in Finland and had 33 points (19 goals) in 30 games.

He was the Coyotes’ sixth pick, and their fourth forward taken, but just the second wing.

Scouting report: He is a very good shooter and stickhandler, but one who scouts knocked for his skating and compete levels at times. When he’s at his best, he can be a game-breaker. Finding consistency seems to be the key. When that happens, look out.

Aidan Thompson

Thompson is a great story, drafted in the third round (90th overall) by Chicago in his third – and final – year of draft eligibility. He’s also from Fort Collins, meaning the Pioneers will have a Colorado-born player on the roster after not having any last season.

The 5-10, 180-pound center had 82 points (24 goals) in 57 regular-season games for Lincoln of the United States Hockey League. He was the sixth fourth and fourth center taken in the top eight picks by the Blackhawks, who like the Coyotes stockpiled picks as they kick off a massive rebuild.

Scouting report: Scouts loved his speed and grit. He had never come close to the type of production he had this past season, so obviously he has developed a solid skill set, too.

Garrett Brown

The “futures” pick, Brown went to Winnipeg with the second pick (99th overall) of the fourth round. The 6-2, 178-pounder was part of Sioux City’s Clark Cup (USHL) championship team. He scored 16 points in 62 regular-season games, and added an assist in 10 playoff games.

Brown, who is the son of longtime NHL forward Curtis Brown, was the second defenseman taken among the Jets’ first five picks.

Scouting report: He’s a strong skater who can move the puck. Some scouts expressed concern he didn’t produce more offense, but he has time to develop that.

Jack Devine

DU fans should be most familiar with last season’s third-line right wing. Devine was picked in the seventh round (221st – five picks from the end of the draft) by Florida after a campaign in which he had 19 points (16 assists) in 36 games. He should be in line for a bigger role with the Pioneers this season.

The 5-11, 177-pounder was the last of the Panthers’ seven picks, the fourth forward taken and their third wing picked. He also was the only Florida choice who played NCAA hockey last season.

Scouting report: Devine has excellent stick skills and vision, and he’s improving his skating. Skating and goal scoring were two concerns scouts listed.

©First Line Editorial 2022