DENVER Forward Anthony Maiani (Shelby Township, Mich.) has signed a National Letter of Intent to attend the University of Denver and play hockey in 2007-08, two-time National Coach of the Year George Gwozdecky announced today. Maiani joins goaltender Marc Cheverie (Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia) and forwards Tyler Bozak (Regina, Saskatchewan), Jesse Martin (Edmonton, Alberta) and Kyle Ostrow (Calgary, Alberta) as student-athletes who have signed NLI’s for this season.

Gwozdecky also announced that eight other student-athletes will attend DU and play hockey this fall. Defensemen Joey Brehm (Edina, Minn.), Jon Cook (Denver, Colo.), Chris Nutini (Centennial, Colo.) and John Ryder (Colorado Springs, Colo.) join forwards Stephen Cunningham (Boulder, Colo.), Dustin Jackson (Omaha, Neb.) and goaltender Eddie Guinn (South Burlington, Vt.) in DU’s largest recruiting class during Gwozdecky’s 13-year tenure at DU.

Maiani netted 48 points on 16 goals and 32 assists in 59 games for Sioux City of the United States Hockey League in 2006-07. The 5-8, 165-pounder tied for the team lead with a +20 plus/minus rating. He is the son of Marina and Paul Maiani.

Brehm was a four-year standout defenseman at Edina High School. The 6-2, 180-pounder tallied 25 points on four goals and 21 assists in 2006-07, while captaining Edina to a fifth-place finish at the Minnesota State Hockey Tournament. He is the son of Gayle and Steve Brehm.

Cook tallied five points on two power-play goals and three assists for South Division, Alberta Junior Hockey League and Doyle Cup champion Camrose in 2006-07. The 6-1, 195-pounder is the brother of former Pioneer Steven Cook. Jon and Steven are the sons of Michelle and Jon Cook.

Nutini tallied seven points on two goals and five assists in 58 games for Wichita Falls of the North American Hockey League last season. The 6-0, 185-pounder is the son of Aimee and John Nutini.

Ryder recorded six points on four goals and two assists in 50 games for Ohio of the USHL in 2006-07. The 6-1, 190-pounder is the son of Paula and Richard Ryder.

Cunningham tallied 19 points on seven goals and 12 assists in 56 games for Burnaby of the British Columbia Hockey League last season. The 6-1, 195-pounder is the son of Diane and Stephen Cunningham.

Jackson netted a team-leading 47 points in 61 games for Southern Minnesota of the NAHL in 2006-07. The 6-3, 200-pounder is the son of Ellen and Greg Jackson.

Guinn was a member of Cleveland of the Central States Hockey League last season. He is the son of Kate and Robbie Guinn.

“Assistant coaches Steve Miller and Derek Lalonde have put together a group of freshmen that are loaded with talent and character,” Gwozdecky said. “With the early departure of several players to the pro ranks, we will once again rely heavily on our freshmen to produce.”

The Pioneers open the 2006-07 season against Maine on Oct. 12-13 at Magness Arena in a rematch of the teams that battled for the 2004 NCAA National Championship won by Denver, 1-0. Individual game tickets starting at $10 for children under 12 and $18 for adults go on sale on Saturday, Sept. 8 at 10 a.m. at the Ritchie Center North Box Office. Please call (303) 871-2336 for more information.

2007-08 Recruiting Class

Name, S/C, Pos., Ht., Wt., Yr., DOB, Hometown (Last Team, League)

Tyler Bozak, R, F, 6-0, 165, Fr., 03/19/86, Regina, Saskatchewan (Victoria, BCHL)

Joey Brehm, L, D, 6-2, 180, Fr., 08/05/88, Edina, Minn. (Edina H.S.)

Marc Cheverie, L, G, 6-2, 185, Fr., 02/22/87, Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia (Nanaimo, BCHL)

Jon Cook, R, D, 6-1, 195, Fr., 04/08/86, Denver, Colo. (Camrose, AJHL)

Stephen Cunningham, L, F, 6-1, 195, Fr., 03/28/86, Boulder, Colo. (Burnaby, BCHL)

Eddie Guinn, L, G, 6-1, 185, Fr., 07/11/87, South Burlington, Vt. (Cleveland, CSHL)

Dustin Jackson, R, F, 6-3, 200, Fr., 06/20/86, Omaha, Neb. (Southern Minnesota, NAHL)

Anthony Maiani, L, F, 5-8, 165, Fr., 02/24/89, Shelby Township, Mich. (Sioux City, USHL)

Jesse Martin, R, F, 6-0, 180 Fr., 09/07/88, Edmonton, Alberta (Tri-City, USHL)

Chris Nutini, R, D, 6-0, 185, Fr., 09/12/87, Centennial, Colo. (Wichita Falls, NAHL)

Kyle Ostrow, L, F, 5-10, 175, Fr., 09/05/87, Calgary, Alberta (Nanaimo, BCHL)

John Ryder, L, D, 6-1, 190, Fr., 03/06/89, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Ohio, USHL)