Daxon Rudolph has made Denver hockey history months before the puck is set to drop for the season opener in October.

The incoming freshman defenseman was selected No. 4 overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2026 NHL draft, becoming the highest-drafted Pioneers player in program history. 

The 18-year-old out of Lacombe, Alberta, was rated one of the top North American skaters in the draft after a stellar season with the Prince Albert Raiders in the WHL, where he totaled 78 points (28 goals, 50 assists) in 68 games. 

Rudolph is the sixth first-round pick in DU history, edging out Craig Redmond (No. 6 overall in 1984) for the top spot and becoming the program’s first first-round selection since Zeev Buium in 2024.

He and fellow incoming freshman Ryan Lin also combined to make history as the first pair of first-round draft picks in Pios history, with Lin going No. 21 overall to the San Jose Sharks.

Lin is another Canadian defenseman who shined in the WHL last season, putting up 57 points (14 goals, 43 assists) in 53 games for the Vancouver Giants.

Rudolph and Lin aren’t the only members of next year’s team that will likely hear their names called this weekend.  

Fellow defenseman Ben MacBeath is projected to be picked early on Saturday, while forward Mikey Berchild also has a good shot to be selected later in the day.

That quartet makes up only half of a star-studded incoming recruiting class that many analysts say is the best David Carle has ever signed. It is not a coincidence, coming off the back of DU’s record 11th national championship in April, the third in the last five seasons, all under Carle.

Three members of the incoming crop of freshmen were drafted last year, led by defenseman Blake Fiddler, who was taken No. 36 overall by the Seattle Kraken. Forwards Ryan Miller (No. 130 overall to the Pittsburgh Penguins) and Max Heise (No. 150 overall to the San Jose Sharks) were also selected a year ago.

The final member of the group of newcomers is forward Jack Pridham, the No. 92 overall pick in the 2024 draft who has since had his rights traded from the Chicago Blackhawks to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

In total, the Pios could have as many as 16 NHL draft picks on next year’s team as they look to repeat as national champions.

Penn State’s Gavin McKenna was the top selection by the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Avalanche will make their first selection on Saturday in the second round with the No. 43 overall pick. 

Denver’s history in the first round of the NHL draft

Craig Redmond, 1984 — No. 6 overall, Los Angeles Kings

Joe Colborne, 2008 — No. 16 overall, Boston Bruins

Beau Bennett, 2010 — No. 20 overall, Pittsburgh Penguins

Henrik Borgstrom, 2016 — No. 23 overall, Florida Panthers

Zeev Buium, 2024 — No. 12 overall, Minnesota Wild

Daxon Rudolph, 2026 — No. 4 overall, Buffalo Sabres

Ryan Lin, 2026 — No. 21 overall, San Jose Sharks