Reeder, Epperson, McMorrow win NCAA National Championship with Denver University

Congratulations are in order for three LA Kings prospects, who won an NCAA National Championship yesterday with Denver University.

Sophomore forward James Reeder and freshmen forwards Kristian Epperson and Brendan McMorrow were a part of Denver’s title-winning team, the third championship in five years for the Pioneers and the first for the trio of Kings prospects.

Denver defeated Michigan in the national semifinals on Thursday, setting up yesterday’s showdown with Wisconsin in the national championship game. The win over Michigan came in double overtime, with Epperson and McMorrow both getting in on the scoring.

On Denver’s first goal, McMorrow had the primary assist, as he made a nifty touch pass in a tight situation to set up the opening goal of the game. As the game progressed, inside three minutes to play in regulation and Denver trailing 3-2, Epperson collected a secondary assist on the game-tying goal, which forced the game into overtime and eventually double overtime. Epperson saved his best play of the night for that moment, as he made the incisive pass to set up the game-winning goal, which sent Denver to the final.

sick angle here of Kristian Epperson’s helper to send Denver to the national championship game! Had 2 🍎 in the semifinal win over Michigan.

3 @LAKings prospects playing for a title tomorrow in Vegas! https://t.co/l3Nk19TNqC

— Zach Dooley (@DooleyLAK) April 10, 2026

The national championship game was lower scoring, though Epperson once again got on the scoresheet. With Denver trailing 1-0 and the game midway through the third period, Epperson set up a shot at the left point, which was eventually buried on the rebound for the game-tying goal. Denver scored once more in the third period to seal a 2-1 victory and a national championship, giving the three Kings prospects the ultimate prize at the collegiate level.

For Epperson, he finished the NCAA Tournament with four points (0-4-4) in four games played. As noted above, three of those points came in the Frozen Four, adding onto an assist versus Western Michigan in the second round of the tournament. Epperson finished his first collegiate season with 11 goals and 18 points during the 2025-26 regular season, finishing fourth on his team in goals. Epperson finished the season playing on Denver’s second forward line, an impressive feat at a powerhouse program. A solid debut season at this level for Epperson, coming out of the OHL, and one that he will look to build upon going forward.

McMorrow had one goal and three points in the NCAA Tournament in total. He scored in the 6-2 win over Western Michigan in the Regional Final and also added an assist in that game before his helper against Michigan in the semifinals. The championship caps off an extremely eventful freshman season for McMorrow, who also earned a spot on Team USA at the 2026 World Junior Championships. McMorrow nearly won a Clark Cup in the USHL with Waterloo the season prior, as he ranked tied for sixth in playoff scoring, with 14 points (7-7-14) in 15 games played and followed up that season with a national championship at Denver. Not a bad couple of years, as McMorrow looks to continue progressing his game as a seventh-round draft pick.

In Reeder’s case, it was a bit of unfinished business. He played in the Frozen Four last season as well, though the Pioneers fell short, losing in the semifinals. Reeder was a returning player who was able to get over the hump this time around. He collected assists in each of the first two games played at the tournament, wins over Cornell and Western Michigan, and played on the team’s top line throughout the course of the season. Reeder had a breakout season offensively with 32 points (10-22-32) in 40 games played, ranking fourth on the team in scoring during the regular season. Good to see him get over the line the second time around and he should be a focal point for the team offensively next season.

Nice work all around from the LA Kings contingent, which concludes the 2025-26 season of college hockey. As of now at least, all three players would be slated to return to Denver for next season, in what could be enhanced roles for each of them. Makes it easier to have so many Kings prospects playing at the same school if you have an interest in watching a few of the guys in the system. We should see all three players at Kings Development Camp this summer, which would mark the first time that Epperson and McMorrow have attended. Denver has a policy that doesn’t allow freshman players to attend an NHL summer camp like that, but as was the case with Reeder, Epperson and McMorrow should be in El Segundo in a few months for the first time. Now, they’ll be there as national champions.