Coming in at #6 on our Top 25 Avalanche Under 25 countdown is defenseman and top prospect Chris Bigras.  Bigras edges out #7 Calvin Pickard, #8 Joey Hishon, and #9 Stefan Elliott to take the title of best Avalanche prospect not regularly playing in the NHL. Our BSN Avalanche writers unanimously ranked Chris Bigras 6th overall for Avalanche players under 25 years old.

Who is Chris Bigras?

Standing at just 6’1″ and 190 lbs, Chris Bigras is an entirely different animal than fellow Avalanche defensive prospects Duncan Siemens (#11), Mason Geertsen (#15), and Kyle Wood (#19). Where those players use their imposing size and strength to dominate their opponents physically, Chris Bigras is a highly intelligent two-way defenseman who can play big minutes in all situations.  He is the Colorado Avalanche’s undisputed top defensive prospect.

Bigras is a sensationally talented skater with a very acute understanding of the game. He isn’t a very physical player, but does use his body effectively to establish position in his own zone and to separate players from the puck along the boards. Bigras’ defensive game depends largely on his skating, gap control, and excellent stick work. Offensively, Bigras’ isn’t flashy and doesn’t have an elite shot, but he is an excellent passer and effective power play quarterback.

After the Avalanche drafted him 32nd overall in 2013, Chris Bigras was a pleasant surprise at his first professional training camp and even challenged for an NHL roster spot at just 18 years old. During the following season, Bigras was made an alternate captain for the Owen Sound Attack and was chosen for Team Canada at the World Junior Championship.

Bigras played much of the season with a golf ball sized cyst in his ankle and saw his point production drop significantly, but was nonetheless voted the Western Conference’s “Best Defensive Defenseman” in the OHL coaches poll and was nominated for the OHL’s MVP award.

Bigras’ real coming out party, however, came during the 2014-2015 season. After failing to make the Avalanche roster out of camp again, Bigras started his season on an uncharacteristic offensive tear.  Despite his offensive explosion, he was a surprise cut from Team Canada at the World Junior Championship.

The WJC snub only served to fuel Bigras to the tune of 20 goals and 71 points in 62 games (his previous best season was 38 points). The offensive explosion didn’t hurt Bigras’ well rounded defensive game, either, as Bigras finished 2nd in the 2015 OHL coaches poll for “Smartest Player,” “Best Defensive Defenseman,” and “Best Offensive Defenseman.” Bigras also finished 2nd overall in voting for the Kaminsky trophy, awarded to the OHL’s best defenseman.

After Owen Sound was eliminated from the OHL playoffs, Bigras joined the Avalanche’s AHL affiliate in Lake Erie to begin his professional career.  Bigras played 7 games for the Monsters and, despite limited ice time as the coaches eased him into the professional game, Bigras notched 4 assists.

What is the future for Chris Bigras?

In a moment of serendipitous management, the Avalanche’s top prospect also fills the current NHL roster’s single greatest position of need. While the Avalanche are deep on the right side, with Erik Johnson and Tyson Barrie, they’ve struggled to find quality defensive partners that play on the left side. Enter Chris Bigras, a high skill left-shooting defenseman who plays in all situations.

Bigras should enter his third Avalanche camp hungry and ready to challenge incumbent veterans for a roster spot. However, with just 7 games of professional hockey under his belt, it’s likely that Chris Bigras will return to the Avalanche’s AHL affiliate for the start of next season so that he can learn and adjust to the speed of professional hockey. Bigras has an extremely high ceiling and could one day team up with Erik Johnson on the Avalanche’s top pairing.