We’re only eight days away from the Colorado Avalanche rookies taking the ice at Family Sports, and nine days from their first game in the 2024 Rookie Faceoff.
And now we know who will compete in the tournament.
On Wednesday, the Avalanche announced the whole list of players that would participate. The majority of these players will play in two games, although a handful will play in three. Here is a list of the players who will be representing Colorado.
The standout names on the roster are Calum Ritchie and Sean Behrens. Ritchie recently switched to #71 after Oliver Kylington took his previous #58. In my view, he upgraded with the new number. He’s clearly the most talented player on the team and will be closely evaluated in the main camp. Behrens is participating in the tournament for the first time and will have the opportunity to acclimate to professional hockey this season.
Notable players joining the roster include Oskar Olausson, Ivan Ivan, and Ondrej Pavel. Olausson is returning from significant shoulder surgery, but since he’s not listed as injured, he should be able to play. Ivan signed an entry-level contract last year, and Pavel is known for his strong work ethic within the organization.
Players missing from the roster include Nikolai Kovalenko, Jean-Luc Foudy, and Sam Malinski. Kovalenko and Malinski’s absences are not surprising given their age. Kovalenko is currently in Washington, D.C., representing the Avalanche at the NHLPA Rookie Showcase, while Foudy, who has been playing professional hockey for four years, is not participating.
With NCAA and KHL players unable to join, the roster relies heavily on invites and lacks some depth. Two of Colorado’s top three prospects are already playing pro hockey in Russia.
The Avalanche rookies will compete against the Anaheim Ducks, Seattle Kraken, and San Jose Sharks in the tournament. The full schedule is available here, and all games will be streamed online.
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