Colorado Avalanche prospect report: Bowen Byram is back, Sasha Mutala continues to score

While we continue to wait for our Colorado Avalanche prospects in the NCAA to begin their respective seasons (is it October 11th yet?), thankfully, the CHL players are continuing to excel.

And I’d like to extend a very heartfelt thanks to the Avalanche for sending Bowen Byram back before the publishing of this week’s report.

Canadian Hockey League

WHL

#44 - Bowen Byram (D)
Vancouver Giants (3-2-0)

He’s back! Unfortunately, the Giants lost two straight following Byram’s return, but won the third game over the weekend. Still, Byram has contributed five points in three games, including a two-assist showing in his season debut.

The Giants currently sit third in the B.C. Division, and hopefully they can build off Sunday’s win.

#34 - Sasha Mutala (RW)
Tri-City Americans (3-1-0)

Mutala sits second in WHL scoring with eight points (three goals, five assists) in four games. This past week, he had a three-point showing on Friday, including two goals.

Plus, you’ve gotta love him for his celly:

Obviously it’s still really early, but Mutala has undoubtedly been one of Tri-City’s most dominant players, and hopefully he can keep it up. The Americans currently sit second in their division.

#27 - Luka Burzan (C)
Brandon Wheat Kings (1-3-0)

It was a rather quiet weekend for Burzan, who only put up one goal (Brandon was shut out in their first game of the weekend). However, that lone goal was actually Burzan’s 150th career WHL point. Burzan still has a respectable five points in four games so far this season, and the Wheat Kings have even named a burger after him:

QMJHL

#16 - Alex Beaucage (RW)
Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (4-1-0)

It was another winning weekend for Beaucage’s Huskies, as the reigning Memorial Cup champions sit first in the QMJHL. Beaucage had a goal and an assist in three games, giving him six points in five games on the season (10th in league scoring).

And for those of you who can speak French (or have access to Google Translate), here’s an article about Beaucage:

NCAA

HOCKEY EAST

#18 - Alex Newhook (C)
Boston College Eagles (0-0-0)

FIRST GAME: OCTOBER 11TH, 2019

#4 - Drew Helleson (D)
Boston College Eagles (0-0-0)

FIRST GAME: OCTOBER 11TH, 2019

BIG TEN

#26 - Cam Morrison (LW)
Notre Dame Fighting Irish (0-0-0)

FIRST GAME: OCTOBER 11TH, 2019

#4 - Nick Leivermann (D)
Notre Dame Fighting Irish (0-0-0)

FIRST GAME: OCTOBER 11TH, 2019

#2 - Nate Clurman (D)
Notre Dame Fighting Irish (0-0-0)

FIRST GAME: OCTOBER 11TH, 2019

#58 - Sampo Ranta (RW)
Minnesota Golden Gophers (0-0-0)

FIRST GAME: OCTOBER 11TH, 2019

#25 - Denis Smirnov (RW)
Penn State Nittany Lions (0-0-0)

FIRST GAME: OCTOBER 11TH, 2019

NCHC

#40 - Tyler Weiss (LW)
Nebraska Omaha Mavericks (0-0-0)

FIRST GAME: OCTOBER 11TH, 2019

ECAC

#20 - Matthew Stienburg (RW)
Cornell Big Red (0-0-0)

FIRST GAME: NOVEMBER 1ST, 2019

Europe

KHL

#51 - Nikolai Kovalenko (RW)
Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (4-6-0)

Well, Lokomotiv fired their head coach last Tuesday. You might recognize him from his stints in the NHL, particularly as a former Edmonton Oilers head coach:

Lokomotiv played three games last week. The first was a loss that prompted MacTavish’s departure, which Kovalenko was a healthy scratch for. Although the team went 1-1 for the remainder of the week, Kovalenko drew back into the lineup and even scored a goal. He now has two points in eight games this season.

#2 - Danila Zhuravlyov (D)
Ak Bars Kazan (8-2-0)

Ak Bars also played three games this week, going 2-1-0. Zhuravlyov contributed one assist, but has been playing consistently for the team since the beginning of the season, which is impressive for a 19-year old defenseman in a men’s league. Zhuravlyov has three assists in nine games so far.

Statistics from the WHL, QMJHL, and Flashscore.