Colorado Avalanche: News from around the NHL September 4th, 2014

The Komets have signed another player.

The Fort Wayne Komets announced that defenseman Mikael Tam has agreed to terms with the club for the 2014-15 season.

The Komets are the ECHL affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League and the Lake Erie Monsters of the American Hockey League.

Tam, 23, will be entering his third year of pro hockey after splitting last season with Lake Erie in the AHL (34 games) and Denver in the Central Hockey League (14 games). The Quebec City, Quebec native helped Denver to the 2014 Presidents' Cup Finals after finishing the season with nine points (2g-7a) in 14 regular-season games. Tam added six points (3g-3a) in 14 postseason games with the Cutthroats.

The NHL and TVA Sports are set to do broadcasts together for another 11 seasons.

TVA Sports held a launch party Wednesday for its first season as the official French television broadcaster of the NHL.

Commissioner Gary Bettman was among the NHL representatives on hand to help begin what he called a new era for the League in the Francophone market, specifically the Canadian province of Quebec.

"We are going to become even more important, even more passionate to our fans in this province than we've ever been before, because a new era is dawning. It is a new and exciting era filled with commitment, filled with passion for the game, filled with expertise not just in broadcasting, but broadcasting sports," Commissioner Bettman told the crowd gathered in this suburb south of Montreal. "We could not be more thrilled to be ushering in this new era. It's going to be something that will make hockey more accessible, more exciting for our fans."

Our Sister site did an interview with Jay Feaster, did Iggy sign in Colorado because of youth hockey programs?

RC: The word is that Jarome Iginla ultimately chose to sign with the Colorado Avalanche instead of the Lightning largely due to the caliber of the Denver area's youth hockey programs.

JF: Yeah, I don't know. I've heard that rumor as well. I haven't spoken to Jarome. I know Jarome well, but I haven't spoken to him as to whether or not that's true. It isn't just in terms of having it be strong and vibrant in terms of a recruiting tool. But it's also a case where we don't want young people to have to feel that they need to leave the state when they get to be really good players at the age of 14, 15, 16. If they want to try to go on and make it as a pro player or even just get a Division-One scholarship. That is the reason the Lightning organization created this position. We want to continue to be able to build and grow youth hockey so it is a strong program and it is something that becomes one of the many recruiting tools we have, although it certainly shouldn't be a mitigating factor. And at the same time, have it be something where kids don't feel they have to leave the state.

MacKinnon: reportedly now 19, bigger and faster!

Unlike many other rookies, Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon seemed physically ready for the big-time in 2013-14. At minimum, he boasted top-of-the-line speed, something that Patrick Roy raved about before he played a single shift.

Considering how strong a finish MacKinnon enjoyed last season, opponents probably crossed their fingers for a so-called “sophomore slump.” That’s always possible, but word is that he’s (gulp) in even more impressive shape heading into next season.

Condon to participate in Avs training camp.

Former Gophers co-captain Nate Condon signed a one-year deal with the Lake Erie Monsters. The American Hockey League member is an affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche.

Condon, a native of Wausau, Wis., will participate in the Avalanche’s upcoming training camp. He was originally selected by Colorado in the seventh round of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.