Denver announced seven incoming freshmen this week, and that group will be accompanied by two transfers to give the Pioneers a decidedly different look.

That’s because not only did DU graduate four of their top six scorers – all forwards – but two more forwards and a defenseman signed pro contracts, and another forward and defenseman transferred out. Ladies and gentlemen, get used to it, this is what the transfer portal has wrought, and I don’t see this type of turnover changing.

The nine newcomers will have a tall task because the Pioneers not only will have a target on their backs as the defending national champions, but they lost 61 percent of their goal scoring and 52 percent of their points from the 2021-22 squad.

Six of the seven freshmen played in the United States Hockey League last season, the top U.S. junior circuit, and the seventh played in the Alberta Junior Hockey League, another league that has been very good to the Pioneers over the years.

Here is a closer look at the newcomers and where they fit.

Denver’s new forwards

Who’s new: Tristan Broz (transfer/Minnesota), Casey Dornbach (grad transfer/Harvard), Tyler Haskins (Madison/USHL), Tristan Lemyre (Dubuque/USHL), Rieger Lorenz (Okotoks/AJHL), Aidan Thompson (Lincoln/USHL), Jared Wright (Omaha/USHL)

What they bring: Broz, a 2021 Pittsburgh Penguins pick, had 11 points for the Gophers last season. He’s known for his attacking style in the offensive zone. … Dornbach was the Crimson’s captain and put up 90 points, two thirds of which were assists, in three ECAC seasons. … Haskins committed to Michigan as an eighth-grader and flipped to DU recently. He had 45 points, including 20 goals, in 52 games last season. … Lemyre was solid for Dubuque for seasons. He had 29 goals in 57 contests last season. … Lorenz was a second-round pick of the Minnesota Wild this year, and it’s no wonder why after he put up 85 points, including 38 goals, in 60 games last season. … Thompson was a third-round pick of the Chicago Blackhawks this summer in his third year of eligibility. A Colorado native, Thompson erupted for 82 points (58 assists) in 57 games this past season. That was an increase of 47 points over his previous season. … Wright was picked by the L.A. Kings this summer and flipped from Colgate to DU last week. He had 34 points in 59 games last season.

Who they have to replace: Six of Denver’s top-10 scorers departed in various fashions – all of them forwards. They included Bobby Brink (Philadelphia/NHL, 57 points), Carter Savoie (Bakersfield/AHL, 45 points), Cole Guttman (Chicago/NHL, 45 points), Brett Stapley (43 points), Cameron Wright (Colorado/AHL, 34 points) and Ryan Barrow (Manchester/England, 21 points). Also, Jack Works transferred to Michigan Tech.

Instant analysis: Only three of the top nine forwards return for DU, but Carter Mazur, Massimo Rizzo and Jack Devine are a good place to start. Also expect junior McKade Webster to play a much bigger role. Even so, five of the seven newcomers could slide into the first three lines.

Denver’s new defensemen

Who’s new: Kent Anderson (Green Bay/USHL) and Lucas Olvestad (Dubuque/USHL)

What they bring: Anderson had 28 points in 62 games and was selected the USHL’s all-rookie second team. He’s 6-foot-3, 205 pounds, and he was considered a draft prospect this year, landing in NHL Central Scouting’s final rankings. … Olvestad is a solid 6-1 and 190, and he put up 22 points in 60 games this season.

Who they have to replace: The Pioneers lost two rising junior D this summer – Antti Tuomisto signed with TPS of the Finnish league, and Reid Irwin transferred to Colgate. They accounted for 11 points but both played more than 20 games a season ago.

Instant analysis: Defense is one of the strengths of the Pioneers as they return their top five of Sean Behrens, Mike Benning, Shai Buium, Justin Lee and Kyle Mayhew. Anderson and Olvestad should have opportunities to play five-on-five.

©First Line Editorial 2022