2016 NHL Draft: Colorado Avalanche Select Josh Anderson

All throughout the internet this morning, the loudest of voices rang out in unison: "The Avalanche defense sucks! Why haven't they drafted defense yet?!?"

Rest easy, internet. Colorado just selected their first blue liner of the 2016 entry-level draft. His name is Josh Anderson and he's a 6'3" 210 pound defenseman from Duncan, British Columbia. The 18-year-old is on the younger side of this draft class and will likely play another two years in junior. He compares favorably to another recent Avalanche mid-round pick, Mason Geertsen -- a bigger, shutdown-style defenseman with unrealized offensive potential.

Anderson was a third overall pick of the WHL Prince George Cougars in 2013 and has played just 82 games for the team over the past two seasons after suffering a vertebrae injury last season crashing into the boards. Anderson has yet to establish himself as much of a scoring presence for the team, notching just ten points for the team over that time.

COL takes Josh Anderson at No. 71. Was 61 on TSN list.

— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) June 25, 2016

More to come...