Colorado Avalanche prospect report: Gold!

Two Colorado Avalanche prospects won gold at the World Junior Championships, and look to bring that experience back to their teams. Cale Makar and Conor TImmins were on the Canadian team that won gold at the juniors, with Mkar being named top defender of the tournament.

In league play Ty Lewis and Nick Henry had great weeks in the WHL, and Cam Morrison helped Notre Dame go 12-0 in conference play.

Ontario Hockey League

#21 - Conor Timmins (D) - No Points
Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds - 34-3-2-1

Conor Timmins won gold at the World Juniors with Canada, and performed excellently in the tournament along with fellow D prospect Cale Makar, finishing fourth in defensive scoring with one goal and four assists. The Greyhounds made a big trade getting Jordan Sambrook and Taylor Raddysh from the Erie Otters, and they currently sit in first overall in the OHL, with a 15 point lead over second.

Jan. 7th: @ Guelph Storm
W 7-3 - No Points

#19 - Travis Barron (F) - 1G, 1A, -1
Ottawa 67’s - 16-19-2-2

Dec. 28th: @ Kingston Frontenacs
L 2-0 - No Points
Dec. 29th: vs Oshawa Generals
L 4-3 - 0G, 1A
Dec. 30th: @ Peterborough Petes
L 5-4 - 0G, 0A, -1
Jan. 6th: vs Peterborough Petes
W 3-2 - 1G, 0A, +1
Jan. 7th: vs Ottawa 67’s
L 4-3 OT - 0G, 0A, -1

The 67’s didn’t start off the second half with much enthusiasm, losing four out of five. They currently sit in a tie for 6th in the Eastern Conference, one point above 9th place, and out of the playoffs.

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Western Hockey League

#21 - Nick Henry (D) - 3G, 2A, -3
Regina Pats - 21-19-3-0

Dec. 27th: @ Brandon Wheat Kings
L 5-3 - 0G, 0A, -3
Dec. 28th: vs Brandon Wheat Kings
W 5-4 - 1G, 0A, -1
Dec. 30th: @ Prince Albert Raiders
W 2-1 - 0G, 0A, +1
Jan. 1st: vs Prince Albert Raiders
W 5-4 OT - 1G, 0A, -1

Jan. 3rd: vs Brandon Wheat Kings
W 3-2 - 0G, 2A, +2
Jan. 6th: @ Swift Current Broncos
L 4-2 - 1G, 0A, -1
Jan. 7th: vs Prince Albert Raiders
W 4-1 - No Points

The Pats were big winners coming out of the break, winning all but two games. Henry has played well, and been getting the tough assignments. The Pats are currently in a Eastern Conference wild card playoff spot, 10 points back of a divisional spot.

#28 - Josh Anderson (D) - 0G, 1A, -1
Prince George Cougars - 15-18-4-3

Dec. 27th: @ Victoria Royals
W 5-3 - No Points
Dec. 28th: @ Victoria Royals
L 7-1 - No Points
Dec. 30th: @ Vancouver Giants
W 7-6 OT - No Points
Jan. 1st: @ Vancouver Giants
L 4-3 OT - No Points
Jan. 5th: vs Tri-City Americans
W 4-3 - 0G, 1A, -1

Jan. 6th: vs Tri-City Americans
L 6-5 SO - Did Not Play

The Cougars had a very up and down week, win, big loss, close win, close loss, close win, shoot out loss. The defense needs some work as the offense had to score at least four goals to win a game. The Cougars are currently tied for last in the Western Conference, and are eight points away from a wild card playoff spot.

#14 - Ty Lewis (F) - 6G, 5A, +1
Brandon Wheat Kings - 27-12-0-1

Dec. 27th: vs Regina Pats
W 5-3 - 1G, 1A
Dec. 28th: @ Regina Pats
L 5-4 - 1G, 1A, +2
Dec. 30th: vs Moose Jaw Warriors
L 7-4 - 0G, 1A, -2
Dec. 31st: @ Moose Jaw Warriors
L 6-2 - 0G, 1A, +1
Jan. 3rd: @ Regina Pats
L 3-2 - 1G 0A, -1
Jan. 5th: vs Swift Current Broncos
W 3-2 - 1G, 0A, -1
Jan. 7th: vs Saskatoon Blades
W 5-3 - 2G, 1A, +2

Lewis didn’t miss step coming back from the break, scoring 11 points in 7 games. The Wheat Kings are sitting third in the competitive East Division right now, 14 points back of first.

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Junior A

#4 - Nick Leivermann (D) - 0G, 2A
Penticton Vees, BCHL - 24-9-2-2

Dec. 29th: @ Wenatchee Wild
L 6-3 - No Points
Dec. 30th: @ Wenatchee Wild
L 3-1 - No Points
Jan. 5th: vs Prince George Spruce Kings
W 2-1 OT2 - 0G, 1A
Jan. 6th: vs Wenatchee Wild
W 5-2 - 0G, 1A

The Vees got the Victory back in the second week after the break, after dropping two games they came back to win two in a row. The Vees currently sit third in the Interior Division.

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USHL

#5 - Nathan Clurman (D) - 0G, 0A, -1
Tri-City Storm 18-8-0-1

Dec. 28th: @ Lincoln Stars
W 3-2 - Did Not Play
Dec. 30th: @ Green Bay Gamblers
L 5-4 SO - 0G, 0A, +1
Dec. 31st: @ Green Bay Gamblers
L 2-1 - No Points
Jan. 5th: vs Sioux City Musketeers
W 5-4 OT - 0G, 0A, -2
Jan. 6th: vs Omaha Lancers
L 4-1 - Did Not Play

The Storm are second in the Western Conference, but going 2/5 won’t help them climb to the top very fast.

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NCAA

#16 - Cale Makar (D)
UMass-Amherst Minutemen

Cale Makar will return to NCAA play this week, after winning gold at the World Juniors and being named to the tournament All-Star team and named the best defender of the tournament. Makar tied in defender scoring with Libor Hajek, with 3 goals and 5 assists.

#25 - Denis Smirnov (F) - 0G, 0A, -1
Penn State Lions
Overall: 12-7-3 / Conference: 5-4-3

Jan. 5th: vs Wisconsin
W 5-1 - No Points
Jan. 6th: vs Wisconsin
T 3-3 - 0G, 0A, -1

No points this weekend from Smirnov, the Lions could have used his offensive touch on Saturday though.

#26 - Cameron Morrison (F) - 0G, 2A, -2
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Overall: 18-3-1 / Conference: 12-0-0

Jan. 5th: @ Michigan
W 2-1 - 0G, 1A, -1
Jan. 7th: vs Michigan
W 2-1 - 0G, 1A, -1

The Irish continue to be a perfect 12-0 in conference play, and Morrison is chipping in offensively as he takes on the top lines of the opponents.

#15 - Shane Bowers - 0G, 0A, -1
Boston University Terriers
Overall: 8-11-1 / Conference: 6-7-1

Jan. 5th: vs USNTDP-U18
Cancelled due to weather
Jan. 6th: vs Maine
L 3-0 - 0G, 0A, -1

The extra day off didn’t help the Terriers much as they were shutout by the suddenly surging Maine program.