A look at the top prospects of the Colorado Avalanche in the National Hockey League
Colorado Avalanche, which play in the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League (NHL) have not been one of the successful teams in the league in past few years. They could not qualify for playoffs in last two seasons and three of the last four seasons.
They definitely want to make their team strong and bring in new some new faces and fresh legs into the team. For this purpose they have brought some new, young players, who are top future prospects and pretty much can be expected from them.
The Denver, Colorado based team has got a top class prospect-forward, many keepers and players in every position who can do well ahead. Some of those names are listed below.
Mitchell Heard
Mitchell Heard was Avalanche’s top pick in the latest draft as he was selected 41st in the second round of 2012 NHL draft which was held on 22nd and 23rd June.
The Bowmanville, Ontario resident scored at an average of a point per game last season when he scored 57 points in 57 games for Plymouth Whalers in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), 29 of those were goals and 28 were assists.
Avalanche wants him to play for their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliates Lake Erie Monsters and they are expecting him to turn pro this season and made an immediate impact in league.
Tyson Barrie
21-year-old Canadian professional player was selected 64th overall in the 2009 NHL draft three years ago but did not make his NHL debut until last part of the 2011-2012 NHL season.
The defenseman, who was also a part of Canadian team that won silver medal in the 2011 World Junior Championships, had a great time at Kelowna Rockets in Western Hockey League (WHL) as he proved himself as a high scoring blue liner there.
The Victoria, British Columbia resident spent five seasons in WHL and scored 51 goals, 177 assists, 228 points in 256 games there. Time at Lake Erie Monsters in AHL was also good for him as scored 32 points in 49 games and could not score a single point in 10 NHL games, something he would like to change.
Calvin Pickard
20-year-old Pickard is one of the four goalie prospects that Avalanche have got and probably best and most experienced among all. He was picked 49th overall in the 2010 NHL draft and has got a lot of first team experience with Seattle Thunderbirds in WHL.
In total he has played 241 games in WHL, before signing an entry-level contract with Avalanche in March and moving to Lake Erie Monsters in AHL. Craig Billington, Vice-President of the Colorado Avalanche’s player development and himself a former NHL goalie praised Pickard as he said,
"Calvin faced more shots in the Western Hockey League than anybody who has ever put on pads in the Western Hockey League. His compete and his hockey sense are excellent. He's a real dedicated kid who is very focused."
Brad Malone
Brad Malone is one of the most experienced Avalanche’s prospects at the age of 23 but did not make his NHL debut until last season.
Picked 105th in the 2007 NHL draft, he stayed two seasons with Lake Erie Monsters and is one of the forwards who is not afraid of anyone.
Billington also had good things to say about the 6-foot-2, 207 pounder as he said,
"He's just a big strong guy who plays the center and the wing. He's got good hockey sense, and he's not afraid."
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