Avalanche all hands-on for second day of NHL Draft
Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images
Colorado made all its moves on Saturday. After trading away the 24th overall pick of the NHL Draft on Friday, the Colorado Avalanche were left to make all its moves in rounds two through seven on Saturday.
The Avs' first pick was 38th overall in the second round when they picked up Ilya Nabokov from the KHL. The 21-year-old goaltender won the MVP Award in the playoffs for his impressive play in Russia, making him the first goaltender picked in this year's draft. He boasts a 2.15 goals against average (GAA) and a .915 save percentage (SV%).
He's got it. Ilya Nabokov's got it.#GagarinCup pic.twitter.com/DIK81bL7aq— KHL (@khl_eng) April 11, 2024
Colorado had the 71st pick, which they traded for two additional picks at 76th and 161st. With the 76th pick, William Zellers got his name off the board. The 18-year-old forward is committed to the University of North Dakota, looking to buff up his game and weight. He uses his ability and smaller stature to his advantage, but will be looking for more to break into the Avs organization.
️ William ZellersThe winger got drafted by the Colorado Avalanche with the 76th pick.#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/AfNi4c8m2W— Guerilla Sports (@guerillasports_) June 29, 2024
The 121st pick in the fourth round selected the first of two Denver Pioneers. The Avs took Jake Fisher, who will start at DU in the fall. He had 47 points in 51 games in the USHL with the Fargo Force.
JAKE FISHER... HOW???? The @FargoForce are up 2-1 in Game 4! : https://t.co/uBtcQsZBNx@USHL#USHL #ClarkCup pic.twitter.com/SCUjdvpNkO— FloHockey (@FloHockey) May 19, 2024
The second goaltender of the draft was picked at 132 with Louka Cloutier and the first of three picks in the fifth round. He’s only 17 years old, with an additional year ahead with the Chicago Steel of the USHL. Then, he will start at the University of Nebraska-Omaha for the 2025-26 season.
Louka Cloutier pic.twitter.com/6ZkEwCoV7g— USHL (@USHL) June 26, 2024
Second off the board in the fifth round was another Ivan. While it’s not as iconic of a name as Ivan Ivan, 18-year-old Ivan Yunin was the third and final goaltender taken out of Russia. The third and final pick in the fifth round was 17-year-old Max Curran from Chezchia, who recorded 32 points in 40 games in the WHL with the Tri-City Americans.
MAX CURRAN – HIGHLIGHT REEL Name an NHL prospect, besides Max Curran, who can light the lamp and speak three languages fluently. Go ahead, we’ll wait.@TCAmericans | #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/gamGfrlI1L— The WHL (@TheWHL) June 28, 2024
Colorado wrapped up with three picks at 185, 215 and 217. Tory Pitner was taken at 185, who fell quite far to the Avs. According to Elite Prospects, some ranked him as high as 74th. He is also the second Pio picked by the Avs, starting in the fall and rooming with Fisher, funny enough.
Tory Pitner, Colorado Avalanche prospect, is a very detailed, determined defender. Here’s how he compares to other USHL/CHL D in the draft:• Slot Protection: 1st • DZ Breakups: 1st • Deflected & Blocked Shots: 2nd • Slot Pass Interceptions: 2nd • Rush Breakups: 7th pic.twitter.com/zV2fJShCuF— Mitchell Brown (@MitchLBrown) June 29, 2024
Finally, in the seventh and final round, Colorado chose Christian Humphreys and Nikita Prishchepov. Humphreys will be starting at the University of Michigan in 2025-26 and combined for 82 points in 85 games between the USA U-18 National Team and the USNTDP Juniors in the USHL. Finally, Prischepov has spent the last three years with the Victoriaville Tigres in the QMJHL, with 67 points in 63 games last year.
Christian Humphreys how ya FEELIN'? @Humphreys_24 | #U18MensWorlds pic.twitter.com/QFxpRDyyhF— USA Hockey (@usahockey) May 5, 2024
There’s not a ton of quality among these nine members drafted by the Avs, and none of them will immediately slot in with the Avalanche, and likely not even the Colorado Eagles. The front office looked to grab more prospects, and it seemed as though the team went for quantity and the trades they made.
At least a handful of these players will join Development Camp next week at Family Sports Center with several other organization members and invitees. How do you think the Avs did in their draft process this year? Let us know in the comments below!
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