Top 5 Avalanche Prospect Seasons So Far
Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images
Are there any gems left in the Colorado system? Now that the first half of the 2024-25 season has wrapped up for most players, it’s time to highlight the top five most impressive seasons thus far from those prospects in the Colorado Avalanche system.
Couple things to note, one this is just a snapshot look at short-term returns -- not long-term career projections. Also, those who have spent time this season with the Avalanche but have been back and forth to the Colorado Eagles are not included. That is a different type of development to highlight but here we are primarily highlighting a prospects’ performance in their current league.
C Calum Ritchie - Oshawa Generals (OHL)
There’s almost nothing Ritchie can do in the OHL this season which will turn heads because he’s expected to be dominant. But then he keeps showing up night after night with those kinds of performances. With 34 points in 18 games and a +17, and since his return he only played in three games without a point, Ritchie is proving he is the engine with propels the Oshawa Generals with OHL championship and Memorial Cup aspirations. He was a slam dunk choice for Hockey Canada’s World Junior team and Ritchie will certainly play a big role on the team, who by the way is currently practicing as their top center. Ritchie is also gaining notoriety for his signature fakeout shootout move.
Calum Ritchie pulled out the shootout fake move again.Misa and Martone have been box office. Sennecke has been hit. Cowan remains consistent. But Ritchie’s the best player in the OHL for my money. pic.twitter.com/vgq6EqcBHl— Scott Wheeler (@scottcwheeler) November 16, 2024
C Max Curran - Tri-City Americans (WHL)
After returning early from Avalanche camp and a slow start to the season, Curran was put on the back burner. He’s quietly put together a strong first half of the season with 27 points in 27 games. It was a mild surprise and disappointment Curran was left off of Czechia’s World Junior squad but as a 2006-born player he is still eligible for next year’s team. Curran is still learning how to best utilize his big 6-foot-3 frame and play more with pace but he’s improved in his second year in North America.
"Sure, I'll take that." - Max Curran pic.twitter.com/MbOOaOOgKX— Tri-City Americans (@TCAmericans) November 21, 2024
LW William Zellers - Green Bay Gamblers (USHL)
The former 2024 third round pick has a long path to professional hockey first starting in the USHL before he plans to begin his NCAA career at North Dakota. In his first season with Green Bay William Zellers has been a goal machine scoring 21 points in 17 games including 15 (!) goals. Zellers was noticed by team USA, but not for what you’d expect, as he was invited to the World Junior A Challenge. There he helped the Americans win gold with two goals in the 7-4 final over Sweden and contributed three assists in the prior four games. With his type of offensive upside Zellers will be an interesting prospect to keep an eye on.
Where there's a @willzellers9, there's a way @GamblersHockey | @UNDmhockey | @Avalanche pic.twitter.com/z8KU7dKBCk— USHL (@USHL) November 2, 2024
C Zakhar Bardakov - SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)
After the Avalanche picked him up in the pre-deadline trade with New Jersey for Kurtis MacDermid it has been an upward trajectory for Zakhar Bardakov. He was enjoying his most productive season in the KHL with 17 points in 28 games including a career-high nine goals but unfortunately had to sit out a month due to injury. Bardakov returned to the lineup the other day and immediately contributed an assist, however. He is one to watch as someone Colorado is likely interested in signing when the KHL season is over in their continued quest to bring over cheap experienced bottom six forward depth.
On this episode of Avalanche prospects from the deepZakhar Bardakov has 6 points in his first 10 games in the KHL with SKA. He was acquired as part of the Kurtis MacDermid trade. Who knows maybe it becomes a thing.Cameo from Mikhail Grigorenko. pic.twitter.com/c8vj5RYooa— Nathan Rudolph (@DNVR_Rudo) October 3, 2024
LW Taylor Makar - University of Maine (NCAA)
In his senior season at a new college the offense has finally unlocked for the younger Makar. Already with a career-high 15 points in 16 games, Makar is showing the next step to prove that he’s ready for a pro contract upon graduation from college. At 23-years of age Makar will have the size and strength the Avalanche prefer when entering the pro system. Taylor is a much different player than his brother with more power forward tendencies and he’s finally figuring out how to utilize that frame to generate offense.
OH MY TAYLOR MAKAR! : https://t.co/vxdHcugzle | @ESPNPlus https://t.co/DgCpbp1DSL pic.twitter.com/6WnJ4MgMEl— Maine Men’s Ice Hockey (@MaineIceHockey) October 19, 2024
...
Want the trending hockey news in your inbox daily?.
Just add your email, and we'll start sending you the most important hockey news of the day.
