Dylan Gambrell, who was the San Jose Sharks’ top pick in the 2016 NHL draft, has decided to delay his professional career and return to the University of Denver for his junior season. The decision further makes the Pioneers, the 2017 NCAA champions, the team to beat in 2017-18.

“We’re getting an All-American — an elite college hockey player — back, and I’m really proud of his maturity for understanding what’s best for him, in that fact that he wants to get close to his degree and he wants to get to the level where he can walk right into the NHL,” DU coach Jim Montgomery told The Denver Post. “I’ve always encouraged our players to not leave school (early) to play in the American Hockey League.”

DU will have three of the country’s top forwards next season in Gambrell, classmate Troy Terry of Highlands Ranch and Henrik Borgstrom, who led NCAA freshmen with 22 goals last season. Gambrell, 20, was the Pioneers’ second-leading scorer as a freshman in 2015-16, and the third-leading scorer behind Terry and Borgstrom last season. Denver will return its top four scoring forwards, including Gambrell’s left-winger in junior-to-be Jarid Lukosevicius.

“When it came down to it, there was no wrong decision, I think,” Gambrell said in a phone interview from his home in Bonney Lake, Wash. “Obviously, we’re at a great place in Denver. We have a phenomenal coaching staff. Our team is right up there with the best, obviously. But for me, it was a great opportunity in San Jose. It’s what you work for as a player your whole life. You want to make it to the NHL. I took a lot of advice, talked to a lot of people. I took my time with the decision because I didn’t want to rush it and have emotions taking over.”

Gambrell has 89 points (30 goals) in 79 career NCAA games. He was selected in the second round (60th overall) by the Sharks after his dynamic freshman year in which he centered the potent Pacific Rim Line with wingers Danton Heinen and Trevor Moore, who both left school early to sign NHL deals after DU’s Frozen Four semifinal loss to North Dakota in 2016.

Gambrell mostly centered the all-sophomore line last season, with Terry and Lukosevicius. That line had six points (including three Lukosevicius goals) in Denver’s 3-2 victory over Minnesota Duluth in the April 8 national championship game in Chicago. The line had four points (two Gambrell goals) in Denver’s 6-1 rout over Notre Dame in the national semifinals at the United Center. Related Articles September 10, 2020 DU hockey nears return to ice with season format in limbo: “There’s a lot that’s still on the table”

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“For our team next year now, it will definitely be the most dynamic offensive team in my tenure here, and I’m excited to see how hard we can become to play against,” Montgomery said. “If we can combine those two things, it could really, really be an exciting year,”

While Gambrell’s representatives were speaking to the Sharks, Montgomery saved a leadership position for Gambrell, who played midget hockey (16-under) for the Colorado Thunderbirds. Gambrell will be an alternate captain, along with Terry and senior defenseman Adam Plant. Senior defenseman Tariq Hammond was named captain.

“When I committed to Denver when I was (16), while playing in Colorado for the T-Birds, I never imagined it would be anything like it’s been like,” Gambrell said. “It’s been absolutely amazing, and I wanted to be there another year. I want to enjoy college and get my education, be with a great group of guys, and the coaching staff. Developmentally, it will be great for me to have another good year with my great linemates, Troy Terry and Jarid Lukosevicius. To be able to play with them again, and play for Monty, it’s only going to make me better. I think that’s what it came down to.”

Footnote. Forward Kevin Conley has decided to return to junior hockey and ultimately play for another college team. Conley played in 28 games as a DU freshman last season, producing seven points (three goals). He wants to find more opportunity at another program, Montgomery said.