Avalanche Prospect Portfolio: Byram back to dominating

This week’s Prospect Portfolio is led by Bowen Byram returning to his junior team and fitting in like he never left. The Avs now also have all of their unsigned goalie prospects in action and continue to see high end scoring numbers from their Canadian junior prospects.

KHL:

Nikolai Kovalenko – RW (Lokomotiv Yaroslavl) round 6, pick 171, 2018

Games Played	Goals	Assists	Points	PIM	+/-
8	1	1	2	0	-1

Lokomotiv had gotten off to a rough start to the season, seeing coach Craig MacTavish fired less than ten games into the season. This change of management had an immediate positive impact on Kovalenko as he notched his first goal of the season and has seen his roll return to that of a third liner.

Daniil Zhuravlyov – D (Ak Bars Kazan) round 5, pick 146, 2018

Games Played	Goals	Assists	Points	PIM	+/-
9	0	3	3	4	5

Zhuravlyov continues to be a pleasant surprise in the Avs prospect pool this season picking up another assist this week. However, he was held out of the Ak Bars’ most recent game for unknown reasons. With such strong play, it’s hard to see a reason to scratch him so the hope is that it’s nothing serious.

Liiga (Finland):

Justus Annunen – G (Oulun Kärpät) round 3, pick 64, 2018

Games Played	Wins	Losses	OTW	OTL	Save %	GAA
4	2	0	2	0	94.06	1.48

Annunen got the nod in goal for just one game this week but he made the most of it continuing his undefeated streak and posting his first shutout in the Liiga. Kärpät sits as the second-best team in the league and Annunen’s solid play is seeing him get closer to tandem time than that of a backup.

QMJHL:

Alex Beaucage – RW (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies) round 3, pick 78, 2019

Games Played	Goals	Assists	Points	PIM	+/-
4	4	2	6	10	3

After a big opening weekend, Beaucage slowed down a bit recording just one goal and one assist in three games. He still managed to show off his nifty hands as well as some physicality and strength which has gotten him a few penalties but also helped him create plays like the one below.

WHL:

Luka Burzan – RW (Brandon Wheat Kings) round 6, pick 171, 2019

Games Played	Goals	Assists	Points	PIM	+/-
4	3	2	5	2	1

The 19-year-old Burzan put up a single goal in Brandon’s two games this week. It’s hard to fault him though as he still leads the Wheat Kings in just about every category. It could be a tough year for the team and Burzan is going to have to focus on individual efforts to stand out.