Avalanche Prospect Report: Rocco rocks

Week of: December 3 – December 9

AJ Greer is back for San Antonio, which is good timing… I don’t know how much more Rocco Grimaldi’s back can take. Ty Lewis continues to impress, and even gets some recognition from his coaches. Smirnov is making a big impact now that he’s back in Penn State’s lineup.

Nick Leivermann – 2017 Round 7, Pick 187 (Penticton Vees – BCHL)

Leivermann and the Penticton Vees saw their winning streak come to an end this week, but not before picking up two more Ws. The Avalanche defensive prospect picked up four points, all assists, in the wins before his team was shut out by first-place Vernon Vipers.

Dec. 6: vs Salmon Arm Silverbacks

W 5-1 – 0G, 3A

Dec. 8: vs West Kelowna Warriors

W 5-2 – 0G, 1A

Dec. 9: @ Vernon Vipers

L 4-0 – 0G, 0A

Conor Timmins – 2017 Round 2, Pick 32 (Soo Greyhounds – OHL)

The Soo Greyhounds continue to roll over the competition, winning all three of their games this week. Conor Timmins continues to impress as he stretched his point streak to seven games before being held off the scoresheet by the North Bay Battalion. Timmins was also named to the Team Canada Selection Camp roster for this week. This camp is used to select the U-20 team that will represent Canada at the World Junior Championships later this month.

Dec. 3: @ Ottawa 67’s

W 4-0 – 0G, 2A

Dec. 1: vs Sarnia Sting

W 6-3 – 0G, 2A

Dec. 1: vs North Bay Battalion

W 3-1 – 0G, 0A

Travis Barron – 2016 Round 7, Pick 191 (Ottawa 67’s – OHL)

It was a tough week for both Travis Barron and the Ottawa 67’s. The team lost all three games they played, including being shut out twice, and Barron only managed one point all week. Now, it should be noted that the two times Ottawa was held scoreless, they were playing two of the league’s best teams, one of which was Connor Timmins’ Greyhounds. But even still, you’d like to see the 67’s captain show a little bit more for his team.

Dec. 3: vs Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds

L 4-0 – 0G, 0A

Dec. 8: @ Oshawa Generals

L 5-3 – 1G, 0A

Dec. 9: vs Niagara IceDogs

L 3-0 – 0G, 0A

Ty Lewis – Undrafted (Brandon Wheat Kings – WHL)

Guess what? Ty Lewis picked up five more points this week. Surprised? Yeah, me either. You would need to go back to November 11th to find a scoresheet that doesn’t have his name in the goal or assist column. The Brandon Wheat Kings continue to run the table in the WHL, winning all three of their games this week on the back of Lewis. The coaching staff for Brandon showed how much Lewis means to the team as he was named an alternate captain at the start of the week. I think the Avs have something here in a player that was an undrafted camp invite.

Dec. 6: vs Regina Pats

W 7-4 – 1G, 0A

Dec. 8: vs Medicine Hat Tigers

W (OT) 4-3 – 0G, 1A

Dec. 9: vs Kelowna Rockets

W 7-4 – 1G, 2A

Nick Henry – 2017 Round 4, Pick 94 (Regina Pats – WHL)

Last week we said that it looked like Nick Henry was starting to get back to his game after sitting out for so long recovering from shoulder surgery, and it really looks like that’s the case now. Colorado’s fourth-round selection picked up four points this week as his team went .500 across four games. Henry also went toe-to-toe with Ty Lewis this week. While his team didn’t fare too well, Henry did his best to show that he could hang with the high flying winger picking up two points in a losing effort.

Dec. 3: @ Calgary Hitmen

W 4-1 – 0G, 0A

Dec. 6: @ Brandon Wheat Kings

L 7-4 – 0G, 2A

Dec. 8: vs Kelowna Rockets

L 7-5 – 2G, 0A

Dec. 9: vs Medicine Hat Tigers

W 4-2 – 0G, 0A

Josh Anderson – 2016 Round 3, Pick 71 (Prince George Cougars – WHL)

Only a single game for the Prince George Cougars this week, and they made the most of it. The Cougars defeated the Kootenay Ice in a game that came down to the final minute. While the 6-foot-3 defenseman didn’t record any points, Anderson played a big part in holding on to a one-goal lead in the late minutes before his team notched an empty net insurance goal.

Dec. 8: vs Kootenay Ice

W 3-1 – 0G, 0A

Nate Clurman – 2016 Round 6, Pick 161 (Tri-City Storm – USHL)

The Tri-City Storm played two games this week, and you know what that means! Nate Clurman went two more games without registering a point. While he’s not expected to be a big-time contributor on the scoresheet, you’d really like to see some sign of life from his offensive game.

Dec. 7: @ Lincoln Stars

W 1-0 – 0G, 0A

Dec. 8: vs Omaha Lancers

L 3-1 – 0G, 0A

Gustav Olhaver – 2015 Round 7, Pick 191 (IK Oskarshamn – Allsvenskan)

Olhaver is finally starting to show some consistency. He picked up another goal this week, and it was a big one. Olhaver tied the game up for his team in the final minutes, pushing the game to overtime, and an eventual shootout win. Not only is it exciting that he’s starting to put points up on a regular basis, but he’s earning the trust of his coaches. When you’re holding onto a lead or trying to tie a game up, the final minutes are reserved for players that can get the job done. Gustav Olhaver did just that this week.

Dec. 5: vs Södertälje SK

W (SO) 5-4 – 1G, 0A

Dec. 8: vs Leksands IF

W  1-0 – 0G, 0A

Adam Werner – 2016 Round 5, Pick 131 ( IF Björklöven – Allsvenskan)

Two games this week for IF Björklöven, and two more starts for Adam Werner. Unfortunately, that wasn’t a good thing. Werner struggled in both games this week, losing both. As a player trying to earn more playing time this year, as well as make a name for himself with Avalanche management, he can’t have too many more games like this.

Dec. 6: vs Almtuna IS

L 4-2 – 4GA, .776 Save Percentage

Dec 9: @ Timrå IK

L 3-2 – 3GA, .888 Save Percentage

Petr Kvaca – 2017 Round 4, Pick 114 (ČEZ Motor České Budějovice – Czech 2)

Kvaca didn’t play this week, as his backup picked up two shutouts for ČEZ Motor České Budějovice. Him sitting isn’t a reflection of his play, rather just coaches riding a hot hand to back-to-back shutout victories.

Dec. 6: @ AZ RESIDOMO Havířov

W 1-0 – Did not play

Dec. 9: vs HC Benátky nad Jizerou

W 5-0 – Did not play

Igor Shvyrov – 2017 Round 5, Pick 125 (Stalnye Lisy Magnitogorsk – MHL)

This has to be one of the more peculiar storylines we’re following right now as far as Avs prospects go. Shvyrov dominates at the MHL level and is frequently called to the parent club in the KHL. However, whenever he is called up, the coaches refuse to play him. He was scratched for all three games this week, and whenever he does play, he rarely sees more than a handful of minutes. It makes you wonder why he doesn’t seem to have much interest in leaving for North America.

Cam Morrison – 2016 Round 2, Pick 40 (Notre Dame – NCAA)

The Fighting Irish continue to roll over their opponents, improving to 16-3 after this weekend. Morrison picked up two points in the series with 12th-ranked Wisconsin and continues to be a presence in every game. While he still might need another year in college before making the jump to pro hockey, Morrison is an exciting prospect.

Dec. 8: @ Wisconsin Badgers

W 3-2 – 0G, 0A

Dec. 9: @ Wisconsin Badgers

W 6-2 – 0G, 2A

Denis Smirnov – 2017 Round 6, Pick 156 (Penn State – NCAA)

It’s easy to see why Penn State missed Denis Smirnov so much while he was out for nearly a month. The highly skilled 5-foot-8 forward showed out this week as the Nittany Lions picked up two more wins. While Smirnov is still a little ways off from being NHL ready, weeks like this prove that you don’t have to be big to be effective at a high level.

Dec. 8: @ Robert Morris Colonials

W 5-2 – 1G, 0A

Dec. 9: vs Robert Morris Colonials

W 7-4 -2G, 2A

Shane Bowers – 2017 Round 1, Pick 28 (Boston University – NCAA)

Another split for the Terriers from Boston University. The series against Umass Lowell was a tale of two teams for Boston, losing the first, and blowing the River Hawks out of the water (pun intended) on the second night. Bowers was relatively quiet this week, after a big showing last week, registering only one point.

Dec. 8: @ Umass Lowell River Hawks

L 3-2 – 0G, 0A

Dec. 9: vs Umass Lowell River Hawks

W 9-3 – 0G, 1A

Cale Makar – 2017 Round 1, Pick 4 (UMass Amherst – NCAA)

A rare Tuesday night game for Cale Makar and the Umass Amherst Minutemen, and I don’t think they’ll want to play these early week games anymore. Umass was beatdown by UConn and showed that while they’re having an exciting season under a new head coach, this is still very much a rebuilding program.

Dec. 5: @ UConn Huskies

L 8-2 – 0G, 0A

Mason Geertsen – 2013 Round 4, Pick 93 (SA Rampage – AHL)

It was a good week for Mason Geertsen. Why was it a great week for him when his team went 1-1 and he didn’t record any points you ask? Because he was in the lineup for both games, that’s why! After having to sit out for three games because of a suspension last week, Geertsen was anxious to get back into regular game action. So while he didn’t get his name on the score sheet, and his team had a .500 record, it was a good week for Mason Geertsen.

Dec. 5: @ Bakersfield Condors

L  5-1 – 0G, 0A

Dec. 9: vs Bakersfield Condors

W 5-2 – 0G, 0A

Julien Nantel – 2014 Round 7, Pick 204 (SA Rampage – AHL)

After a strong couple of games for Nantel last week, the former seventh-round pick didn’t do much of anything this week from a points perspective in either game for the San Antonio Rampage. He only managed three shots across the two games and recorded no points. Disappointing after last week’s two-goal performance.

Dec. 5: @ Bakersfield Condors

L  5-1 – 0G, 0A

Dec. 9: vs Bakersfield Condors

W 5-2 – 0G, 0A

AJ Greer – 2015 Round 2, Pick 39 (SA Rampage – AHL)

He’s baaaaaaack! AJ Greer came back from injury this week, getting in the lineup just in time to wear one of those sweet Star Wars jerseys. Greer didn’t pick up any points in the game he played, but he put six shots on goal. Greer is so valuable to San Antonio, and when he’s on his game, he’s incredibly dangerous.

Dec. 5: @ Bakersfield Condors

L  5-1 – Injured

Dec. 9: vs Bakersfield Condors

W 5-2 – 0G, 0A

Nicolas Meloche –  2015 Round 2, Pick 40 (SA Rampage – AHL)

Meloche continues to find himself in the press box more often than not, he didn’t dress for either game this week.

Dec. 5: @ Bakersfield Condors

L  5-1 – Scratched

Dec. 9: vs Bakersfield Condors

W 5-2 – Scratched

JC Beaudin – 2015 Round 3, Pick 71 (SA Rampage – AHL)

JC Beaudin is trying to show that he belongs full time in the AHL. He had a really strong performance last week, and while he didn’t get any points this week, he was able to put six shots on net between the two games against Bakersfield. Colorado would really like to see Beaudin stick with the Rampage, as that would mean he’s progressing, which is all you want from your prospects.

Dec. 5: @ Bakersfield Condors

L  5-1 – 0G, 0A

Dec. 9: vs Bakersfield Condors

W 5-2 – 0G, 0A

Rocco Grimaldi – 2011 Round 2, Pick 33 (SA Rampage – AHL)

Rocco Grimaldi may very well one of the most puzzling players I’ve ever seen. He was called up to Colorado for one game this week, and outside of one sequence, he was invisible. He just really doesn’t seem to have what it takes to play in the NHL. But then he’s returned to San Antonio, and what does he do? Oh nothing really, just score a hat trick and put six shots on goal to help propel his team to a win against a Bakersfield team that has absolutely dominated the Rampage all season.

Dec. 5: @ Bakersfield Condors

L  5-1 – On Call-Up

Dec. 9: vs Bakersfield Condors

W 5-2 – 3G, 0A

Chris Bigras – 2013 Round 2, Pick 32 (SA Rampage – AHL)

Bigras was sent down to the AHL to work on a lot of different parts of his game, and while he is doing that, you’d like to see him get on the scoresheet a lot more frequently than he is. He should definitely be a step above his current competition, and right now we just aren’t seeing that.

Dec. 5: @ Bakersfield Condors

L  5-1 – 0G, 0A

Dec. 9: vs Bakersfield Condors

W 5-2 – 0G, 0A

Andrei Mironov – 2015 Round 4, Pick 101 (SA Rampage – AHL)

When Andrei Mironov showed up to camp, a couple things stood out. One was that he was a surprisingly smooth skater, not all world, but pretty good for a player his size. The other was obviously his physical play, which is very well documented. One thing, however, that did not stand out was his offensive play. He really seemed to struggle with the puck on his stick. So there’s no doubt that’s one thing the coaching staff in Colorado would like to see him work on while he’s playing with the Rampage, and he seems to be doing that. He picked up another assist this week, and also put a few shots on net. I still think this is a player that could have a bright future in the NHL with some fine-tuning.

Dec. 5: @ Bakersfield Condors

L  5-1 – 0G, 0A

Dec. 9: vs Bakersfield Condors

W 5-2 – 0G, 1A

Spencer Martin – 2013 Round 3, Pick 63 (SA Rampage – AHL)

After having to watch the team’s only win from the bench last week, Martin was able to get a W for his team this week. He played a solid game stopping 29 of 30 shots against a team that has put a lot of goals on San Antonio so far this season. It was nice to see him do well in a game and get a result he deserved.

Dec. 5: @ Bakersfield Condors

L  5-1 – Did not play

Dec. 9: vs Bakersfield Condors

W 5-2 – 2GA, .913 Save Percentage

Injured Reserve

Colorado has two prospects that are out indefinitely with injuries. Kamenev is now in a hard cast, and while the team has yet to comment officially, it appears he had surgery and is now in the recovery phase of his injury. He has been working out at team facilities for about a week now. Boikov has yet to play in any games this year as his injury was sustained in training camp.