DENVER - Four University of Denver hockey players expect selection in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, slated for June 24-25 at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn., home arena of the Minnesota Wild.
Sophomore Nick Shore (Denver) and incoming freshmen Scott Mayfield (St. Louis, Mo.), Zac Larraza (Scottsdale, Ariz.) and Josiah Didier (Littleton, Colo.) expect to hear their names called when the draft begins this weekend.
Mayfield is ranked No. 24 among North American domestic skaters in the final Central Scouting Rankings. Shore is ranked No. 56, Larraza is ranked No. 70 and Didier is ranked No. 108.
The 6-0, 200-pound Shore tallied 18 points (7g, 11a) in 33 games at center for DU last season. Mayfield, a 6-4, 200-pound defenseman, registered 16 points (7g, 9a) and 159 penalty minutes for the Youngstown Phantoms of the United States Hockey League in 2010-11. The 6-2, 200-pound Larraza tallied 18 points (9g, 9a) at forward for the U.S. National Under-18 Team, while the 6-1, 180-pound Didier netted 21 points (8g, 13a) in 58 games at forward for the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders of the USHL.
Mayfield could become DU's fourth first-round pick if selected on Friday. Mayfield would join Craig Redmond (LA Kings/1984/6th overall), Joe Colborne (Boston/2008/16th overall) and Beau Bennett (Pittsburgh/2010/20th overall) as the only players to don the crimson and gold as first round NHL selections.
DU currently has six NHL draft picks on its roster after reaching a program-best 13 in 2009-10. The Pioneers had nine draft picks on its roster in 2010-11.
Fans can follow the draft live beginning Friday at 5 p.m. MT on Versus, TSN and www.NHL.com.
