With Monday’s departure of sophomore William Wrenn, the University of Denver is likely to return to the traditional, and more manageable, six-man defensive corps.
The Pioneers were probably too deep on the blue line, which is why Wrenn was used mostly as a seventh defenseman. He withdrew from school to finish the season with the Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League.
Wrenn, 19, battled injuries throughout his career at DU and never fulfilled the huge expectations for him after he was signed out of the U.S. National Development Program and was selected by the San Jose Sharks as the 43rd overall pick in the 2009 NHL draft.
Wrenn had no goals and one assist in 18 games this season. His minus-7 rating was worst on the team. His departure will give sophomore Paul Phillips (plus-2) more playing time.
“You hate to see anybody that we’ve put the time and effort to recruit in here leave before he graduates. That’s the biggest thing I regret,” DU coach George Gwozdecky said. “I understand his reason, in that he feels he can have a better opportunity to play on a regular basis and contribute in a more important role at the junior level. But certainly I don’t necessarily agree with the decision.”
Wrenn and Phillips joined the program together as NHL-drafted, full-scholarship defensemen and played immediately, forcing recruited walk-ons Chris Nutini and John Ryder to be scratched. As time went on, it became obvious Nutini and Ryder were far more effective in all areas and had to play.
John Lee and the offensively gifted Matt Donovan and David Makowski also are guaranteed to play when healthy. DU is so deep at the position that seniors Jon Cook and Joey Brehm also are available.
The Pioneers also are set at the position for next season. Among the current top six, Nutini is the only senior. While Donovan may sign with the New York Islanders, the incoming recruiting class includes bright prospects Scott Mayfield of the United States Hockey League (Youngstown) and Joey LaLeggia of the British Columbia Hockey League (Penticton).
Mayfield is a 6-foot-3, 175-pound shutdown defender. LaLeggia, 5-10 and 180 pounds, leads all BCHL defenseman in scoring and is eighth overall with 54 points (18 goals) in 39 games.
Mike Chambers: 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com
Front Range rankings
1. Denver (13-5-4, 9-3-2 Western Collegiate Hockey Association).
Last week: Beat and tied Northern Michigan, 5-2 and 2-2. This week: Idle. Comment: Pioneers enter bye week tied for third in all-important PairWise Rankings.
2. Colorado College (12-9-1, 8-6 WCHA).
Last week: Split at Great Lakes Invitational, beat Michigan State 5-4, lost to Michigan 6-5. This week: Idle. Comment: Tigers must learn to live without freshman star Jaden Schwartz, who is recovering from a fractured ankle. He could miss more than a month.
3. Air Force (8-7-2, 6-3-2 Atlantic Hockey Association).
Last week: Won twice at Bentley, 3-2 and 3-2. This week: At Sacred Heart (2-12-4, 2-7-4 AHA) Friday and Saturday. Comment: Falcons are 6-1-2 in past nine, losing only to DU.
