DENVER – The University of Denver hockey program announced today 10 incoming freshmen that will join the Pioneers for the 2025-26 season.
This year's rookie features seven forwards in
Clarke Caswell (Brandon, Manitoba),
Kyle Chyzowski (Burrey, British Columbia),
Kristian Epperson (Mequon, Wisconsin),
Brendan McMorrow (Lakeview, Minnesota),
Brady Milburn (Kamloops, British Columbia),
Payton Nelson (Centennial, Colorado) and
Reid Varkonyi (Sherwood Park, Alberta), defenseman
Eric Jamieson (Calgary, Alberta) and a pair of goaltenders with
Johnny Hicks (Kamloops, British Columbia) and
Quentin Miller (Montreal, Quebec).
"I am thrilled to welcome these 10 players into our hockey program as they join our Pioneer family," said DU Richard and Kitzia Goodman Hockey Head Coach
David Carle. "This is our fourth large class in the last six years, and we pride ourselves as a program that brings in high character players and develop them during their time at Denver. This entire group brings tremendous talent, is eager to learn and has a passion to win national championships and add to the legacy of Denver hockey. We know they will represent all Pioneers with pride on the ice, in the classroom and in the community."
More information on each player is below.
Clarke Caswell | Forward | Brandon, Manitoba
#25 | 5-11 | 180 lbs. | Swift Current Broncos (WHL)
NHL: Selected by the Seattle Kraken in Round 5 (141st Overall) of the 2024 NHL Draft.
Before Denver: Spent four years with the Swift Current Broncos of the Western Hockey League from 2022-2025, totaling 191 points (57g/134a) in 199 career games ... Recorded 22 goals and 62 assists for 84 points while playing in 65 regular-season contests and serving as team captain in 2024-25 ... Skated in five 2025 playoff games and recorded four points (2g/2a) ... Named Swift Current's team MVP and recipient of the organization's leadership and maturity, and sportsmanlike awards in 2025 … Spent 12 days in April 2025 with the Coachella Valley Firebirds of the AHL on an amateur tryout but did not play in any games ... Played in 68 regular-season contests in the 2023-24 season, registering 26 goals and 51 assists for 77 points with the Broncos ... Registered 29 points (9g/20a) in 63 games during his first full WHL campaign in 2022-23, earning team rookie of the year and scholastic honors ... Skated in the 2022 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge for Canada Black, recording five points (2g/3a) in the five games of the tournament ... Split the 2021-22 season between the Brandon Wheat Kings U18AAA and Swit Current ... Played in 38 games for Brandon, earning 88 points (35g/53a) and then played three contests for the Broncos (0g/1a) … Named to the MU18HL First All-Star Team and league Rookie of the Year in 2021-22 with Brandon ... Recognized in 2021-22 as a member of the CSSHL U15 All-Academic Team with Brandon ... Previously played in the CSSHL for two years for Pursuit of Excellence Prep and RINK HA Kelowna Prep.
Personal: Has two older siblings … Intends to major in business at DU … Career goals include helping Denver win the national championship, earn his business degree and then play professional hockey … Favorite music includes country, rap and pop … Favorite TV shows are Prison Break, Ted Lasso, Curb Your Enthusiasm and Breaking Bad … Used to play the cello when he was younger … Also played baseball, golf and basketball while growing up … Hobbies include golf, basketball, pickleball, cooking and swimming.
Other: Picked in Round 1 at No. 6 overall by Swift Current in the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft … Rated at No. 77 among North American Skaters by NHL Central Scouting for the 2024 NHL Draft … Played in the Brick Invitational with the Winnipeg Jr. Jets (2015-16).
Why DU: "I chose the University of Denver because of the top of the line facilities, coaching and support staff, as well as the long lasting success of hockey team, and the on and off-ice development as a player."
Kyle Chyzowski | Forward | Surrey, British Columbia
#16 | 5-10 | 175 lbs | Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
Before Denver: Played in five seasons with the Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League from 2020-2025, totaling 231 points (90g/141a) in 273 career regular-season games and 58 points (23g/35a) in 56 postseason outings ... Recorded 41 goals and 64 assists for 105 points in 66 games during the 2024-25 regular season as team captain of Portland and earning WHL All-Star First Team (West) honors ... Contributed 12 goals and 21 assists for 33 points in 18 WHL playoff games in 2022 … Served as an alternate captain on Portland for two seasons (2022-2024) … Posted 17 goals, 33 assists and 50 points in 65 games in 2023-24 and registered 11 points (9g/2a) in 18 postseason contests for the Winterhawks ... Played in 54 contests in 2022-23 and put up 35 points (14g/21a) before recording nine points (2g/7a) in nine playoff games … Skated in 68 contests in his first full WHL season in 2021-22, earning 35 points (13g/22a) and contributed five assists in 11 postseason games ... Previously spent four years at Delta Hockey Academy Prep ... Split the 2020-21 season between Delta and Portland where he played in four games for the Academy and 20 contests in WHL (5g/1a) ... Recorded a total of 56 points (21g/35a) in 65 career games with Delta Hockey Academy from 2017-2021 … Picked by Portland at No. 58 overall in the third round of the 2019 WHL Prospects Draft.
Personal: Has an older brother … Father played college hockey for Minnesota Duluth and for the then-Denver Rangers of the International Hockey League in 1988-89 … Graduated from South Delta Secondary School in 2022 and was recognized in the Honors Club and Principal's List … Enjoys golfing, tennis and hiking in the summer … Used to play baseball, soccer and lacrosse … Wants to win a national championship at Denver.
Why DU: "I chose the University of Denver because it has a very high-end hockey program with a huge history of winning. Denver is also a beautiful city with a ton of things to do outdoors, so that made it very enticing to want to spend my college years here."
Kristian Epperson | Forward | Mequon, Wisconsin
#8 | 6-0 | 186 lbs. | Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
NHL: Selected by the Los Angeles Kings in Round 3 (No. 88 Overall) of the 2025 NHL Draft.
Before Denver: Spent the 2024-25 season with the Saginaw Spirit of the Ontario Hockey League after playing the previous two years with the U.S. National Team Development Program ... Scored 27 goals and 53 assists for 80 points in 58 regular-season games for Saginaw ... Went on a nine-game point streak (6g/11a) from Sept. 27-Oct. 23, 2024 … Recorded three or more points in 11 games during the season with Saginaw and never went more than two consecutive outings without recording a point … Contributed three goals and one assist in five OHL 2025 playoff matchups ... Split the 2023-24 season between the U.S. NTDP Under-17 and Under-18 squads, playing 14 games for the U17 team (2g/5a) and skating in 42 contests and contributing 16 points (7g/9a) for the U18 team ... Recorded four goals and seven assists in 32 USHL games with the NTDP in 2023-24 ... Won gold with the United States at the 2022 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, contributing three goals and two assists in six contests ... Skated in a total of 59 matchups for the NTDP in 2022-23 and registered 41 points overall (18g/23a), including 29 points (13g/16a) in 39 USHL contests ... Combined for 64 points (27g/37a) in 115 total NTDP games across two seasons (2022-2024)… Spent two years at Shattuck-St. Mary's prep school and recorded 100 points (39g/61a) in 56 games in the 2021-22 campaign and 87 points (37g/50a) in 50 outings in 2020-21 … A product of the Milwaukee Jr. Admirals organization.
Personal: Graduated from Shattuck-St. Mary's prep school in Minnesota in 2024 … Has one brother and two sisters … Enjoys spending time with family and friends in his free time … Likes all kinds of music … Favorite TV show is Peaky Blinders and favorite movie is Django Unchained … Career goals are to win a national championship, continue to develop his game and earn an opportunity to play in the NHL … Has volunteered at local schools and hospitals as part of community outreach efforts … Also participated in lacrosse, soccer and cross-country running while growing up.
Other: Won a USA Tier I national championship in his U14 year … Also won a U11 state championship … Picked in the first round at No. 9 overall by the Madison Capitals of the 2024 USHL Draft … Selected by Saginaw at No. 84 overall in the Round 5 of the 2022 OHL Priority Selection … Rated at No. 201 among North American Skaters by NHL Central Scouting heading into the 2024 NHL Draft and moved up to No. 47 in the rankings for the 2025 Draft.
Why DU: "I chose to join the University of Denver because of its winning culture and strong commitment to player development, both on and off the ice."
Johnny Hicks | Goaltender | Kamloops, British Columbia
#31 | 5-10 | 157 lbs | Victoria Royals (WHL)/Brooks Bandits (BCHL)
Before Denver: Split the 2024-25 campaign between the Brooks Bandits of the British Columbia Hockey League and Victoria Royals of the Western Hockey League … Began the season with Brooks and recorded an 18-3-0 record, 1.37 goals-against average and .943 save percentage in 21 games … Played in the BCHL All-Star/Top Prospects Game in 2024-25 and finished with the highest GAA and Save% in the BCHL during the year despite only playing half of the season … Joined Victoria on Jan. 3 and went on to produce a 10-4-1 record, 2.69 GAA, .909 Save% in 14 regular season contests and was twice named WHL Goaltender of the Week … Went 5-0-1 while leading the league with a 2.10 GAA and .939 Save% in the 2025 WHL playoffs … Spent a year and a half with Brooks (AJHL/BCHL) from 2023-2024 after suiting up for the Merritt Centennials of the BCHL from 2021-2023 … Named the Most Valuable Player for Merritt in both 2021-22 and 2022-23, while also earning Rookie of the Year honors the first season … Played in his first BCHL Top Prospects Game in 2022-23 … Overall, posted a 33-30-10 record, 3.23 GAA, .913 Save% and six shutouts in 80 BCHL games across four seasons from 2021-2025 … Went 26-3-0 with a 1.98 GAA, .909 Save% and seven shutouts in 30 AJHL outings with Brooks in 2023-24 … Won the BCHL Rocky Mountain Classic in 2024 with Brooks … Posted the best Save% and GAA during the 2023-24 BCHL Playoffs with Brooks … Won a gold medal with Canada West at the 2023 World Junior-A Challenge, appearing in one game.
Personal: Has an older sister and younger brother … Graduated from Valleyview Secondary School in 2023 … Intends to major in psychology … Career goals include playing in the NHL and winning the Stanley Cup … Would also like to become a sports psychologist and start a charity for kids that can't afford to try out hockey … Loves playing the guitar and has written five songs … Also enjoys hiking, working out, listening to music, being with his family and friends, playing soccer, football, swimming, basketball, tennis, camping, photography and painting … Volunteered with his junior team when the city was flooded.
Why DU: "I chose Denver because of how great of an opportunity it is to go to such a prestigious school and play for such a professional hockey program. Additionally, I want to win and develop as a goaltender, student and person."
Eric Jamieson | Defenseman | Calgary, Alberta
#15 | 6-3 | 206 lbs | Everett Silvertips (WHL)
NHL: Selected by the Calgary Flames in Round 5 (177th Overall) of the 2024 NHL Draft.
Before Denver: Spent three-plus years with the Everett Silvertips of the Western Hockey League after spending three years at the Edge School in Calgary, Alberta ... Totaled 81 points (27g/54a) in 209 career WHL games … Scored 14 goals and 22 assists for 36 points with Everett in 66 regular-season games in 2024-25 as team captain ... Contributed four points (1g/3a) in 13 WHL postseason games in 2025 ... Recorded 32 points (10g/22a) in 66 regular-season matchups while serving as an alternate captain for Everett in 2023-24 ... Skated in 65 games for Everett in 2022-23, registering three goals and 10 assists ... Split the 2021-22 season between Edge School Prep and Everett ... Recorded 25 points (5g/20a) in 27 CSSHL contests for Edge Schol before moving to the WHL and skating in 12 games for the Silvertips (0g/0a) ... Named team MVP of Edge during his junior year of high school in 2021-22 … Only played in five games in 2020-21 for Edge (0g/2a) … Registered 22 points (5g/17a) in 30 regular-season games in 2019-20 ... Grew up playing for the Blackfoot Men's Hockey Association and also previously played for the CNHA Canucks and the Calgary Northstar Sabres organizations.
Personal: Has two younger siblings … Graduated from the Edge School in 2023, earning honors with distinction and being named to the Principal's list in each of his four years (2020-2023) … Intends to major in finance at Denver … Wants to play professional hockey and then go into accounting and start his own firm … Enjoys fishing and hanging out with family and friends in his free time … Favorite music includes country, rap and metal … Favorite movies are The Equalizer series … Participated in community service projects at Everett … Also played lacrosse, volleyball and ran track as a kid … Scholastic player of the year of the hockey team during his senior year of high school.
Other: Picked at No. 195 overall in the ninth round of the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft … Entered the 2024 NHL Draft ranked No. 84 among North American players in NHL Central Scouting's final list.
Why DU: "Denver had exciting opportunities in both hockey and academics."
Brendan McMorrow | Forward | Lakeville, Minnesota
#22 | 6-0 | 180 lbs. | Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL)
NHL: Selected by the Los Angeles Kings in Round 7 (No. 196 Overall) of the 2025 NHL Draft.
Before Denver: Spent the 2024-25 season with the Waterloo Black Hawks of the United States Hockey League after playing the previous two years with the U.S. National Team Development Program ... Scored 24 goals and added 18 assists for 42 points with Waterloo in 58 regular-season games, earning team MVP honors ... Tied for fifth in postseason scoring in 2025 with 14 points (7g/7a) in 15 playoff contests and helped Waterloo reach the Clark Cup Finals ... Played for the United States at the 2024 World Junior-A Challenge, recording seven points (2g/5a) in five games and winning a gold medal ... Won a silver medal with Team USA at the 2024 IIHF U18 World Championships ... Skated for the U.S. NTDP from 2022-2024, compiling 74 points (38g/36a) in 121 career games ... Had 22 points in 61 total contests with USA in 2023-24, including producing 16 points (5g/11a) in 27 USHL outings ... Registered 31 points (14g/17a) in 60 total games in 2022-23 with the NTDP and had 16 points (9g/7a) in 38 USHL outings ... Played in 123 USHL games across three seasons from 2022-2025, totaling 74 points (38g/36a) … Won gold with the Americans at the 2022 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, contributing six points (1g/5a) in seven contests ... Grew up playing for the Lakeville North Youth Hockey Association and previously played for the Minnesota Blades and Green Bay Jr. Gamblers organization ... Played one year of high school hockey with Benilde-St. Margaret's School in 2021-22 and was recognized as the team's most determined player.
Personal: Graduated from Benilde-St. Margaret prep school in 2024 … Father played D-III hockey at Gustavus Adolphus college while his mother was a tennis player at the school … Has an older sister … Hopes to one day play in the NHL and win the Stanley Cup before starting his own business … Likes to hang out with friends and play golf in his free time … Likes country and 80's music … Favorite movie is Rounders … Previously volunteered at Feed My Starving Children … Used to play soccer as a kid.
Other: Picked by the Waterloo Black Hawks at No. 8 overall in the first round of the USHL Entry Draft … Selected in the second round at No. 29 overall by the Spokane Chiefs in the 2021 WHL US Prospect Draft … Selected to the USA Hockey's NTDP Evaluation Camp in 2022 … Rated at No. 147 for the 2024 NHL Draft and No. 144 for the 2025 NHL Draft in NHL Central Scouting's final North American skater rankings … Played for Team Minnesota at both the 2025-16 Brick Invitational and 2019 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament.
Why DU: "I choose the University of Denver because of their history of winning national championships and the chance to excel in academics."
Brady Milburn | Forward | Kamloops, British Columbia
#10 | 6-2 | 205 | Chilliwack Chiefs (BCHL)
Before Denver: Spent four years with the Chilliwack Chiefs of the BCHL from 2021-2025, combining for 123 points (58g/74a) in 188 career games ... Registered 20 goals and 32 assists for 52 points in 49 regular-season matchups in 2024-25, earning Team MVP honors ... Contributed 11 goals and 11 assists in 22 games in the 2025 postseason run for the Chiefs ... Recorded 42 points (18g/24a) through 50 games during the 2023-24 season ... Played in eight postseason matchups in 2024, contributing six points (1g/5a) ... Skated in 49 regular-season games in 2022-23 and recorded 28 points (16g/12a) before posting eight points (4g/4a) in 15 playoffs contests ... Had 10 points (4g/6a) in 40 games during his first season with Chilliwack in 2021-22 ... Previously played with the Thompson Blazers and the Yale Hockey Academy.
Personal: Has two older brothers that also played Division-I hockey … Graduated from South Kamloops Secondary School in 2023 and was named to its honor roll … Intends to major in business … Wants to continue to play hockey after college … Hobbies include golf, hanging with friends and family and doing outdoor activities … Favorite music is country … Favorite movie is Step Brothers … Also played basketball while growing up.
Other: Drafted at No. 120 in the round 8 of the 2024 USHL Entry Draft by the Muskegon Lumberjacks … Picked in the ninth round at No. 181 overall by the Regina Pats of the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft … Played for the BC Junior Canucks at the 2014-15 Brick Invitational.
Why DU: "It is a great city with a great hockey program and coaches and the chance to win a championship.
Quentin Miller | Goaltender | Montreal, Quebec
#29 | 6-3 | 190 lbs | Chilliwack Chiefs (BCHL)
Born Dec. 23, 2004
NHL: Selected by the Montreal Canadiens in in Round 4 (No. 128 Overall) of the 2023 NHL Draft.
Before Denver: Spent the 2024-25 campaign with the Chilliwack Chiefs of the British Columbia Hockey League after spending the previous two seasons playing major-junior in the QMJHL with the Quebec Remparts and Rimouski Oceanic … Posted an 8-2-0 record, 2.29 goals-against average and .923 save percentage in 10 regular-season games with Chilliwack before going 14-9-0 with a 2.40 GAA, .925 Save% and one shutout in 23 outings during the 2025 BCHL Playoffs … Split 2023-24 in the QMJHL between Quebec and Rimouski … Began the year in Quebec and recorded a 12-13-1 record, 3.04 GAA and .901 Save% before finishing the year in Rimouski with a 10-4-0 mark, 2.60 GAA and .917 Save% … Went 14-4-0 with a 2.11 GAA, .911 Save% and two shutouts with Quebec in 2022-23 while being coached by Patrick Roy and winning both the QMJHL Championship and CHL Memorial Cup … Previously played for Laval-Montreal Rousseau Royal of the QMAAA (2020-2022) and prep hockey with Collège Notre Dame (2019-20).
Personal: Has two older brothers … Intends to major in business … Graduated high school from Collège Notre Dame in 2022 … Wants to play in the NHL and win the Stanley Cup … Loves music and produces music on his computer … Also plays the guitar, piano and DJs from time to time … Favorite TV show is The Walking Dead … Used to play soccer, lacrosse, basketball, tennis and swim as a kid.
Other: Chosen by the Quebec Remparts at No. 176 of the 10th round in the 2021 QMJHL Entry Draft … Picked at No. 94 overall in round 7 by the West Island Shamrocks of the QJHL Draft … Played in the 2017 Quebec International Pee-Wee Tournament with Ahuntsic Braves.
Why DU: "I chose DU because of its incredible hockey program and the legacy behind it. The history of winning, the way they develop players and the culture around the team really stood out to me. From the coaching staff to the facilities, everything felt like the right fit and the best place for me to grow on and off the ice."
Payton Nelson | Forward | Centennial, Colorado
#18 | 5-11 | 178 lbs | Salmon Arm Silverbacks (BCHL)
Before Denver: Spent 2024-25 with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks of the British Columbia Hockey League and recorded 17 points (11g/6a) in 53 games … Added two assists in four outings during the 2025 BCHL postseason … Played parts of two seasons in the United States Hockey League from 2022-2024 with the Muskegon Lumberjacks and Des Moines Buccaneers … Split 2023-24 between Des Moines and the Minnesota Wilderness of the North American Hockey League, skating in 29 USHL games (1g/1a) and 24 NAHL contests (7g/7a) … Began 2022-23 with Muskegon and recorded two assists in 10 games before finishing the year with Des Moines and registering five points (2g/3a) in 31 outings … Played for the Colorado Thunderbirds 16U AAA in 2021-22 where he recorded 92 points (39g/53a) in 61 games … Played for the Chicago Mission organization from 2019-2021.
Personal: Has an older brother … Graduated high school in 2023 from Michigan International Prep … Also attended high school at Lyons Township from 2019-2021 and Cherry Creek in Colorado from 2021-2022 … Intends to major in business … Mother was a Division-I swimmer at Southern Illinois … Enjoys aviation and likes to play golf … Wants to play hockey as long as he can and pursue aviation … Used to play baseball, basketball and soccer as a kid.
Other: Picked by the Muskegon Lumberjacks in the fifth round at No. 76 overall in the 2022 USHL Entry Draft … Selected by the Tri-City Americans at No. 201 overall in round 10 of the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft … Played for the Colorado Thunderbirds at the 2018 Quebec International Pee-Wee Tournament.
Why DU: "It has always been a dream of mine to play hockey at the University of Denver since I was a little kid. I am from Centennial so I grew up watching DU hockey, and it's an honor and privilege to be able to be a part of the successful reputation they have created here at Denver."
Reid Varkonyi | Forward | Sherwood Park, Alberta
#28 | 5-10 | 185 lbs. | Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL)
Before Denver: Played for the Sioux Falls Stampede of the United States Hockey League in 2024-25 after skating the previous two seasons with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks of the British Columbia Hockey League (2022-2024) … Recorded 52 points on 20 goals and 32 assists in 59 USHL games in 2024-25 while also serving as an alternate captain on Sioux Falls … Had two assists in four 2025 USHL Playoff contests … Registered 28 points (10g/18a) in 54 games with Salmon Arm in 2023-24 after picking up 13 points (4g/9a) in his first BCHL campaign in 2022-23 … Totaled 41 points (14g/27a) in 102 BCHL regular-season games and had seven points (1g/6a) in 27 postseason outings in his career with the Silverbacks … Appeared in two contests with the Sherwood Park Crusaders of the Alberta Junior Hockey League in 2011-12 … Skated three seasons for Northern Alberta Prep (2019-2022) and one with Edmonton Ice Bantam Prep in 2018-19.
Personal: Has two younger brothers … Intends to major in business … Graduated from Vimy Ride Academy in 2023, earning honors in each of his four years … Would like to play in the NHL someday and then pursue work opportunities in business and management … Enjoys spending time with friends and family, golfing, wake surfing and pickleball … With Sioux Falls, joined the team in collectively volunteering over 500 hours to the community, including reading to kids, helping at food banks and volunteering for the Salvation Army.
Other: Chosen by Sioux Falls at No. 2 overall in the 2022 USHL Futures Draft … Picked by the Portland Winterhawks at No. 59 overall in round 3 of the WHL Prospects Draft … Skated with Team Brick Alberta at the 2015-16 Brick Invitational.
Why DU: "I chose DU because of the long tradition of excellence of both the hockey program and the university. I wanted to be around great people and have the opportunity to develop both as a hockey player and person. The university offers unmatched resources in all aspects."
TICKETS: Full and Friday half-season tickets for DU's 2025-26 campaign as well as five-game mini plans are on sale now. Single game and group ticket will be available in the coming weeks.
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