2016 top 25 Avalanche under 25: #25 Turner Elson

As we are set into the summer of the hockey world and news is virtually non-existent at this point, it’s as good a time as any to re-visit the series we ran last year, the top 25 Avalanche under 25. This year’s list is significantly different than last year’s, as some players aged out of the conversation and others left the organization entirely, but 15 of the 25 players are new.

As with last year, a number of the BSN Avalanche staff (seven this year) participated in creating lists and the players were slotted in based on their average ranking. Before getting to number 25 on this year’s list, a quick shout out to the players who received votes but did not ultimately make the cut: Josh Anderson, Travis Barron, Ben Storm, and Gustav Olhaver.

Kicking off at number 25 this year is a newcomer to the organization via free agency, Turner Elson. Elson averaged out at 24.6 as he appeared on five of the seven ballots, which was plenty strong enough to make him this year’s 25th-ranked player.

Who is Turner Elson?

Elson is new to the Avalanche organization as he arrives via free agency from the Calgary Flames organization, where he’s appeared for their various AHL clubs since the 2011-12 season (he became a full-time pro in 2013-14). He’s not an overly impressive offensive performer as his career high in the AHL is 30 points, which he has accomplished in each of the last two seasons.

Still just 23, there’s still plenty of time for him to continue maturing into a difference-maker at the AHL level. He’s a player who has continually improved throughout his career and whose leadership (he was Red Deer’s captain in his final WHL season) will always be valued in the hockey world. He has shown a willingness to fight, making him the kind of well-rounded player the Avalanche frequently have targeted in recent years. Elson is a classic grinder, the kind of guy who maximizes every ounce of his talent and endears himself to fans with an undeniable work ethic.

What is the future for Turner Elson?

Elson was brought to the Avalanche to be a depth player for the San Antonio Rampage in their stunning overhaul this summer. Given the quality of AHL veterans brought in ahead of him as well as a handful of Avalanche prospects, Elson will be fighting for every inch of the ice he sees throughout the season.

Elson isn’t without talent, though, as his 31 goals the last two years shows, and he should be a player to watch in San Antonio this year. The Avalanche essentially bought a top line in the AHL in other moves they made and the potential presence of A.J. Greer, J.T. Compher and Julien Nantel, among others, makes it tough to know right away what kind of role he will see right away.

Given his history, Rampage and Avalanche fans alike should feel comfortable knowing that Elson is going to be a hard-working guy on every shift who impacts the game in a lot of different ways. His improvements every year suggest he could be in line for another bump in production as he continues to find his legs in the AHL and prove he belongs.

While it’s unlikely Elson will make an impact on the Avalanche this upcoming season, it’s not unrealistic to imagine him playing a couple of games in Denver if the injuries start to really stack up. Even if he doesn’t, Elson has shown enough potential to be named the 25th-best in the Avalanche organization under 25 years old.