With the on-ice portion of the annual development camp set to begin tomorrow, the Colorado Avalanche have released their roster of prospects and invitees who will participate in the training sessions.
As per usual it’s a smaller group of 31 hopefuls including several who apparently won’t be on the ice, namely Taylor Makar. All three of Colorado’s 2025 draft class will be present including Francesco Dell’Elce and Linus Funck, although the team indicates seventh round selection Nolan Roed won’t be skating either. It’s a smaller forward group than last year and almost as many defenseman make up the roster.
Five of the 2024 draft class will be in attendance as well including forwards Christian Humphreys, Jake Fisher, Max Curran, defensemen Tory Pitner and goaltender Louka Cloutier. The group is light on AHL experience which is likely why no Nikita Prishchepov or newly acquired forward Gavin Brindley despite their young age.
After missing all of the 2024-25 campaign with an ACL injury it’s good to see defenseman Sean Behrens expected to participate. The impact the injury has had on his skating will be closely monitored. Unfortunately, neither of the newly signed Russians in forward Zakhar Bardakov and goaltender Ilya Nabokov are expected. Bardakov should arrive for rookie camp but this was Nabokov’s chance to get acclimated a bit to North American hockey before the KHL season.
Another note of interest is that it’s still unclear who will run this development camp with the current AHL coaching staff unknown after the departures of Aaron Schneekloth and Dan Hinote. Former Avalanche forward Brian Willsie who comprises the development department and Toby Peterson as skills coach likely will have a large role at this camp.
The previously announced schedule shows that on-ice action will begin on Tuesday, July 1st and runs each day through July 3rd in a morning session each day. Family Sports Center is the place to be and get there early.