Avalanche Prospect Update - Playoffs Edition
The regular season is wrapping up and playoffs are here for many
Welcome back to The Colorado Avalanche Prospect Report for April 2024, Playoffs edition!
As the NHL playoffs are just over a week away, the minor leagues have started their playoffs, or the regular season is wrapping up. In this edition, we will be checking back with our prospects who are currently in the playoffs or finishing their season and are preparing for the first round or missed out on it this season.
One quick note: the KHL playoffs started last month and were already covered in March’s update; you can check out the breakdown HERE to see how they did in the KHL playoffs.
Let's get this report going from the AHL to the ECHL and see what the Avalanche prospects have been doing…
Colorado Eagles (AHL)
The Colorado Eagles currently sit fourth in the Pacific Division and ninth in the league. They are locked in their playoff spot and fighting for a position in the division. They are only two points from second, behind the Ontario Reign and Tucson Roadrunners with 83 points, but they are far from first, as the Coachella Valley Firebirds sit comfortably with 95 points, a 12-point lead from second. With just six games left, the Eagles look to finish the season strong with home-ice advantage.
After coming off a rather hot March, Riley Tufte has been ice cold in April. He has only one goal (his only point) in his last six games. If his production wasn't bad enough, his defense on ice could have been better, as he sits at -12 in those previous six games.
Ivan Ivan has been having an excellent season but has been cold after signing his new two-year contract on March 5th. Since the signing, Ivan has played 12 games and only has four points, all coming from assists. Despite the cold streak, he had a solid first season in the AHL and significantly grew from playing in the QMJHL last year.
Ivan Prosvetov continues his redemption tour with the Eagles as they continue their playoff push. Going 2-2-1 in his last five games is a decent record, but he has put up a save percentage of over .900 in four games as he continues his impressive push in the AHL.
Trent Miner is continuing his impressive first significant season in the AHL. Before bouncing between the AHL and the ECHL, Miner solidified himself on this roster and went a perfect 5-0-0 in his last five games, with him starting four. Only allowing one goal in each of his previous three starts, he has completely taken over the net and should be starting come game one of the playoffs.
NCAA
Sean Behrens didn’t set a new career high in points in the regular season, but he and Denver have achieved much more. They beat Massachusetts and Cornell to take on Boston U in the Semifinals.
Taylor Makar finished what is now his final season at UMass cold, as it was announced that he is transferring to the University of Maine to start next season. It will take a significant jump to catch his brother Cale’s ceiling, but hope the change in scenery is the start of it.
Colby Ambrosio finished the season with his lowest production in his three years at Boston College. Still, he was crucial against Quinnipiac, helping to assist the overtime game-winner, which helped Boston College reach the semifinals, where they will face Michigan.
Canadian Hockey League (OHL, QMJHL, WHL)
Calum Ritchie continues his career season strong into the playoffs. In six games, he scored one goal and seven assists for eight points to help lead the Generals past the Barrie Colts and face the Ottawa 67’s in the next round.
Graham Sward had an excellent season with the Wild. He set a career-high in points and was second in team scoring. However, his six points weren’t enough to help the Wild beat the Kelowna Rockets, as they lost the series in six games.
American Hockey Leagues (ECHL, USHL)
Chris Romaine finished his breakout season strong with the Gamblers, smashing his previous two season records of five points. Romaine looks to help his team remain second in the Eastern Conference with their final two regular season games on April 12/13, both against the Madison Capitals.
That wraps it up for this Avalanche Prospect Update! If you like what you saw, please consider sharing it with other Avalanche fanatics to keep them updated with our talent pool. Until next time! Go Avs Go!