Defenceman Daxon Rudolph has committed to play for the University of Denver for the 2026-27 NCAA campaign, he announced on Instagram on Thursday.
Rudolph, 18, was one of the Western Hockey League’s top defencemen last season, leading the Prince Albert Raiders to the league’s second best record of 52-10-6 last season.
He registered 28 goals and 78 points in 68 games last season with a plus-32 rating during the regular season.
The 6-foot-3, right-shot blueliner then tied for the WHL lead in playoff scoring with nine goals and 27 points as his Raiders fell to the Everett Silvertips in the WHL Championship Series.
“I am very excited to announce my commitment to play Division 1 hockey at Denver University,” Rudolph said on Instagram. “I would like to thank my family for the constant support througout my hockey journey. As well as my coaches, teammates, and friends for helping me as well.”
Rudolph is projected to be a lottery pick in the 2026 NHL Draft in Buffalo later in June and is ranked at No. 7 on TSN Director of Scouting Craig Button’s May draft list.
The Lacombe, Alta., native represented Canada at the 2025 Under-18 World Hockey Championship, winning a gold medal. He also was an alternate captain for Canada at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup in a bronze-medal finish.
Rudolph was one of 22 Canadian Hockey League players selected to represent Team CHL at the CHL USA Prospects Challenge, where he also served as an alternate captain.
He is joining a Denver team that won an NCAA championship last season, defeating Wisconsin 2-1 in the final.
Denver finished with a 25-11-3 record last season and were ranked fifth heading into the Frozen Four tournament.
