Photo by: Michael Furman

For most of the Pioneer athletes, the fondest memories of their teammates may be the first win, the away trips, the conference final or the national championship.

For freshmen William Wrenn and Adam Murray, their favorite memories will be playing in the rink in Wrenn’s backyard and winning the Pee Wee State Championship.

Now, with the start of the season, two Pioneer hockey players are following the path they have envisioned for years.

Since they were 12 years old, Wrenn and Murray have been opponents, teammates, roommates and best friends.

“We just kind of hit it off,” Wrenn said. “We get along really well.”

The Anchorage, Alaska, natives played together for the U.S. National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor, Mich., the last two years and defeated DU’s in-state, conference rival, Colorado College 3-2.

Wrenn and Murray were invited to join the team on the same day.

“When I was invited, I had a hunch that Adam was going to too,” Wrenn said. “Later on in the day, I actually found out that he was asked before me. It’s such an honor to be able to play for your country, and even better to do it with your best friend.”

Murray joined the team at age 15, while Wrenn moved to California for two years to play for the LA Selects. No matter how much time passed, the two have always enjoyed playing for the same team.

“Last season was my favorite season playing with him,” Murray said. “It was fun and memorable because we won three gold medals together and became more of brothers than friends living with each other.”

Almost every person they meet when they are together think they look alike, Murray said.

“People ask if we’re brothers almost every day, sometimes twins,” Wrenn said.

In their time away from home, both agree that it has helped to have their best friend around.

“It helps because there is no settling in. We’re already so close, it’s nice having someone you can relate to,” Murray said.

Wrenn has been away from home for four years, and Murray’s been away for three.

Playing hockey in college was always an option for both Wrenn and Murray, both were recruited by numerous colleges across the country.

“We both knew we had the same opportunities for college, we made it that far,” Wrenn said. “We had the opportunity, so we just took it.”

The two were a package deal.

However, the only schools that recruited both the duo were DU, Wisconsin and the University of Alaska-Anchorage.

“I think they knew that when they recruited us,” Murray said.

Murray made the decision to join the Pioneers first, but Wrenn was quick to follow.

“I kind of assumed he would,” Murray said. “It was a relief, I couldn’t have been happier.”

Murray, Wrenn and the Pioneers will travel to Minnesota this weekend to take on the Gophers before retuning home to play Minnesota State during Homecoming weekend.

“It’s been a great ride so far,” said Wrenn.