Colorado Avalanche Top 25 Under 25: #17 Saige Weinstein
Photo by Jonathan Kozub/Getty Images
The undrafted D-Man will continue his WHL career with the Spokane Chiefs. The Top 25 Under 25 is a collaboration by Mile High Hockey staff members. Six writers have ranked players under the age of 25 in the Colorado Avalanche organization as of August 1, 2024. Now, we’ll count down each of the 25 players ranked.
Saige Weinstein came into Development camp last summer a complete unknown as an undrafted player getting minimal minutes for the WHL’s Spokane Chiefs but left with an entry-level contract from the Colorado Avalanche - a rare feat and for such an unheralded prospect.
The left handed defenseman did it by flashing his strong skating and high-end hitting skills throughout the summer, including a strong preseason appearance. In that game he wasn’t just the defensive-minded hitter his profile suggests, he potted a walk-off top-shelf game-winning goal in overtime. Maybe it was this goal which earned him that contract offer?
Saige Weinstein called game #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/R6PjVd5WmU— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) September 19, 2023
Those same skills earned him a much bigger role with Spokane in the ‘23-’24 season where he led the team in +/- at +18. Weinstien and his defense partner were the only blueliners with double digits in the positive and while that stat may not be the most useful, without access to more advanced stats at the WHL level it is our best way to evaluate his on-ice impact numerically.
Defensive hockey is definitely Weinstein's calling card, but he did put up 10 goals and 15 assists from the blueline without a consistent role on the power play. The Avs clearly saw a fit for their system, and that type of production at the Junior level gives hope he can develop enough skill to become a contributor in a bottom pairing role down the road.
Despite that contract in hand Weinstien will likely head back to the WHL to finish his four-year career there before starting with the Colorado Eagles in 2025-26. There we will see if the organization has any plans for him and he may move up our rankings accordingly.
2024 Top 25 Under 25
#T-18 Jake Fisher
#T-18 Matthew Stienburg
#20 Chase Bradley
#T-21 Louka Cloutier
#T-21 Kevin Mandolese
#23 Zakhar Bardakov
#24 Taylor Makar
#25 Maros Jedlicka
...
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