Denver has signed three players to national letters of intent to play for the Pioneers in 2012-13. They are forward Quentin Shore of Denver, Colo., and defensemen Nolan Zajac of Winnipeg, Manitoba and Dakota Mermis of Alton, Ill.

All three have family ties to the Pioneer program. Shore is the younger brother of current Pioneers Drew and Nick Shore. Mermis is the younger brother of DU sophomore Jarrod Mermis. Zajac is the son of former Pioneer Tom Zajac, who played at DU from 1973-76.

Said Steve Miller, associate head coach: "Quentin, Nolan and Dakota are talented hockey players, who come from outstanding families. All three of these guys are high character individuals who will help our program win games."

Shore recently helped Team USA to its second consecutive gold medal at the under-18 Four Nations Cup in Monthey, Switzerland. The 6-foot, 180-pound forward had had three goals and one assist. Quentin Shore had four goals and 14 assists in 52 games for the under-17 U.S. ream in 2010-11.

Zajac has one goal and five assists in 15 games for Cedar Rapids and Omaha of the United States Hockey League in 2011-12. The 5-foot-10, 180-pound blueliner had 30 points (three goals, 27 assists) in 45 games for Cedar Rapids in 2010-11.

Mermis has three goals and three assists for the USHL's Green Bay Gamblers. Mermis leads the team with 24 penalty minutes. Mermis, also 5-10, 180. had four goals and four assists and 53 penalty minutes for the under-17 U.S. team in 2010-11.