Forward Quentin Shore (Denver, Colo.), and defensemen Nolan Zajac (Winnipeg, Manitoba) and Dakota Mermis (Alton, Ill.) have inked NLIs to play for the Pioneers beginning in 2012-13. All three players have family ties to the Pioneer program. Shore is the younger brother of current Pioneers Drew and Nick Shore and 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.

"We are pleased to add three quality student-athletes to our hockey program," Miller said. "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 2011 Men's Under-18 Four Nations Cup in Monthey, Switzerland. The 6-foot, 180-pound forward has tallied four points (3g, 1a) for the U.S. Under-18 Team this season. Shore competed against his brothers, Drew and Nick, in the U.S. Under-18 Team's 3-0 loss to Denver in exhibition action on Oct. 7. Quentin Shore tallied 18 points (4g, 14a), two shorthanded goals and one game-winning goal in 52 games for the U.S. Under-17 Team in 2010-11. Quentin is the son of David and Sarah Shore.

Zajac has a combined six points (1g, 5a) in 15 games for Cedar Rapids and Omaha of the United States Hockey League in 2011-12. Zajac tallied one assist and a +5 rating in seven games prior to his trade to Omaha, where he has five points (1g, 4a) in eight games. The 5-foot-10, 180-pound blueliner had 30 points (3g, 27a) in 45 games for Cedar Rapids in 2010-11. He is the son of Tom and Trish Zajac.

Mermis has six points (3g, 3a) for the USHL's Green Bay Gamblers, who are coached by former DU assistant coach Derek Lalonde. Mermis has added a team-leading 24 penalty minutes and two game-winning goals. The 5-foot-10, 180-pound Mermis netted eight points (4g, 4a) and 53 penalty minutes for the U.S. Under-17 Team in 2010-11. He is the son of Bil and Jolene Mermis.

--www.DenverPioneers.com--