A Historic Draft Night for Denver Hockey
The 2026 NHL Draft will be remembered as a breakthrough moment for the University of Denver’s hockey program, as two of its alumni were chosen among the first 25 picks for the first time in school history.
Daxon Rudolph, a defenseman who spent the past two seasons with the Western Hockey League’s Prince Albert Raiders, was selected fourth overall by the Buffalo Sabres. The pick makes him the highest‑drafted player ever to emerge from DU and ties an NHL‑era franchise record for goals by a defenseman in a single WHL season.
Ryan Lin, a forward who captained the Vancouver Giants at just 17, went 21st overall to the San Jose Sharks. Lin entered the draft after becoming the Giants’ all‑time leader in assists among import players and after reaching 100 career WHL points in his 100th game.
Both players have international résumés that read like a who’s who of elite junior talent. Rudolph helped Canada capture a gold medal at the 2025 IIHF U18 World Championship and was named to the Canadian Hockey League All‑Star Third Team, while Lin was a key contributor to Canada’s gold‑medal effort at the 2025 U18 Worlds and was recognized as one of the tournament’s top three players.
Scouting services had already flagged the duo as top prospects; in the final North American rankings Rudolph sat at No. 5 and Lin at No. 16. Their draft day selections not only reward individual excellence but also signal a new era for a Denver program that has traditionally produced mid‑round talent.
The ripple effects extend beyond the draft board. Both prospects will join NHL systems that have deep connections to Colorado, with the Sabres and Sharks each boasting strong scouting networks in the western United States. Their arrivals are expected to boost recruitment efforts and raise the profile of DU hockey on a national stage.