DENVER – The Denver Pioneers men's hockey team signed five student-athletes to National Letters of Intent, Richard and Kitzia Goodman Head Coach David Carle announced on Monday.
 
"We are very excited about this group of student-athletes," Carle said. "We believe this group will add to the great tradition of our program and uphold the standards we've set on and off the ice."
 
Hank Crone, Ryan O'Reilly, Justin Lee, Josh Luedtke, and McKade Webster comprise a group of four forwards and one defenseman to sign with the Pioneers.
 
Crone, a 5'9" 157-pound forward, has 21 points (3-18-21) and 20 penalty minutes through 19 games with the Fargo Force of the United States Hockey League (USHL). The Dallas, Texas native has 135 points (46-89-135) in 191 USHL games as well as 12 points (2-10-12) in 35 NCAA games played with Boston University during the 2017-18 season. He represented the United States internationally at the 2015 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament and the 2016 World Junior A Challenge.
 
"Hank is a dynamic, skilled offensive player who can play center or wing," assistant coach Tavis MacMilan said.  "He is a proven producer at the USHL and NCAA levels with elite hockey sense and playmaking abilities as well as the ability to make those around him better. Goal scorers want to play with Hank."
 
O'Reilly, a 6'2" 212-pound forward, has 13 points (7-6-13) and eight penalty minutes through 19 games with the Force and 48 points (28-20-48) in 71 USHL games. The Southlake, Texas native was selected by the Detroit Red Wings in the 4^th Round (98^th Overall) of the 2018 NHL Draft. O'Reilly participated in the 2017 CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game as well as the 2018 USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game.
 
"Ryan has the physical attributes to be a power forward at the next level," MacMillan said. "He is a big, strong kid with a NHL shot and release that can over power goaltenders. His ability to shoot pucks off glass or attack the net will fit in well with the skilled, playmaking forwards we have in our lineup."
 
Lee, a 5'11" 182-pound defenseman, has nine points (2-7-9) and 37 penalty minutes through 19 games with the Lincoln Stars (USHL). The Waskada, Manitoba native registered 35 points (7-28-35) and 76 penalty minutes through 57 games with the Virden Oil Capitals of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) during the 2017-18 season.

"We are excited to add a defenseman and person like Justin," assistant coach Dallas Ferguson said. "Justin will help our back-end with his ability to move pucks efficiently in transition and his competiveness in all three zones. Off the ice, his character and values are a perfect fit for our program."
 
Luedtke, a 161-pound 5'10" forward, had 13 points (7-6-13) and 28 penalty minutes through 20 games with Team Southwest of the Upper Midwest High School Elite League. Last season, the Minnetonka, Minn. native had 27 points (6-21-27) and 20 penalty minutes in 17 games for Minnetonka High School as well as three points (1-2-3) and six penalty minutes in nine games for the Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL). He participated in the 2018 Minnesota High School All-Star Prospects Game.
 
"Josh will be a great fit for our style of play," Ferguson said. "His instincts and decisions allow him to play fast on both sides of the puck. In Josh, we're adding a person with high-level of commitment to his academics, athletics and family."
 
Webster, a 5'10" 165-pound forward, had 30 points (11-19-30) and 49 penalty minutes through 58 games with the Green Bay Gamblers (USHL) during the 2017-18 season. The St. Louis, Missouri native had 66 points (28-38-66) and 32 penalty minutes with Shattuck St. Mary's U16 during the 2016-17 season.
 
"McKade is a cerebral, playmaking winger," MacMillan said. "His deft touch and stickhandling abilities enable him to put pucks into space or make crisp passes depending upon the situation. McKade is a proven offensive producer at every level with the ability to control the pace of the game when the puck is on his stick. He is another gifted offensive player who will fit in very well with the tempo and style of game we play at DU."

TOGETHER 4 COLORADO TOY DRIVE
The Pioneers have partnered with CBS4 for the Together 4 Colorado Toy Drive to support the Denver community during the holiday season. Beginning Nov. 17, there will be toy drops at every Denver Athletics and Newman Center event thru Dec. 19. Additionally, there will be a Community Shop 'n Drop on Saturday, Dec. 15 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., hosted by the Denver Cheerleading squad at the circle drive on the north side of the Ritchie Center.

PIONEER MOVEMENT:
Interested in making a donation to the hockey program? Click Here. Your contribution will make a direct impact on the success of YOUR Pioneers. Thank you for your unwavering support of our student-athletes and their quest for excellence. 

- PIONEER TOGETHER- 
Visit DenverPioneers.com for complete coverage of all 17 of DU's NCAA Division I sports
Like Denver Pioneers and Denver Hockey on Facebook
Follow @DU_Pioneers and @DU_Hockey on Twitter
Follow @DenverPioneers and @DU_Hockey on Instagram