Avalanche prospect report: The unstoppable Ty Lewis

The BSN Avalanche Prospect Report is back! Some movement in Colorado’s system means some new names on our list. Ty Lewis continues to dominate the WHL and Cale Makar and Shane Bowers impressed this week in the NCAA.

Week of November 26 – December 2

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

Penticton continued their strong play this week, picking up three wins in as many tries. Leivermann, while he didn’t put any pucks in the net himself, had another solid week. He extended his point streak to three games, his fourth point streak of three games or more this season when he picked up an assist in a shutout win over the West Kelowna Warriors. Leivermann ranks fifth amongst defenseman this season in points and sits in third amongst all rookies.

Nov. 29: vs West Kelowna Warriors

W 3-0 – 0G, 1A

Dec. 1: @ Nanaimo Clippers

W 2-1 – 0G, 0A

Dec. 2: @ Alberni Valley Bulldogs

W 5-2 – 0G, 0A

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

What can you say about Connor Timmins? He continues to show out for the Greyhounds. Sault Ste. Marie played just two games this week, grabbing wins in both thanks in large part to Timmins. Timmins scored two goals and paced all defenseman with five shots on goal in the team’s game against the Peterborough Petes, an outing that earned him first star honors. He didn’t stop there, collecting two more points as his Greyhounds won an overtime thriller the next night. Timmins, riding a five-game point streak, continues to play above a point per game pace from the blue line, and is on pace to set new career highs in goals, assists, and points.

Nov. 30: @ Peterborough Petes

W 7-5 – 2G, 0A

Dec. 1: @ Kingston Frontenacs

W (OT) 3-2 – 1G, 1A

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

Barron was a shooting machine this week, putting 16 total shots on net in just two games. Unfortunately, none of those shots found the back of the net as the 67’s split their games this week. Barron wasn’t held completely off the scoresheet as he was able to pick up one assist in a losing effort. The Ottawa captain is stringing a solid season together as he is still on pace for a new career high in points, despite a slow week statistically.

Nov. 29: @ Kingston Frontenacs

L 4-1 – 0G, 1A

Dec. 1: vs Barrie Colts

W (SO) 4-3 – 0G, 0A

Ty Lewis – Undrafted (Brandon Wheat Kings – WHL)

You really have to start wondering what Colorado has here in Ty Lewis. He picked up eight more points this week and has 17 on his current nine-game point streak. Brandon has won nine of their last ten, including four straight this week, thanks to the late-blooming Lewis. He now sits sixth in league scoring and is rapidly becoming one of the Avs’ most interesting prospects to keep an eye on.

Nov. 28: @ Red Deer Rebels

W (OT) 6-5 – 0G, 3A

Nov. 29: @ Edmonton Oil Kings

W 3-1 – 0G, 2A

Dec. 1: @ Lethbridge Hurricanes

W 5-1 – 1G, 1A

Dec. 2: @ Medicine Hat Tigers

W (OT) 5-4 – 0G, 1A

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

Just one game for Regina this week, and Nick Henry looks like he’s starting to get his groove back after being on the shelf for so long while he recovered from shoulder surgery. Henry picked up two points as his team won their only outing of the week. After impressing at development camp with his toughness, Henry will be looking to show that not only is he someone who can battle through an injury, but he’s capable of putting up points as well.

Nov. 19: @ Red Deer Rebels

W 4-2 – 0G, 2A

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

The Cougars put an end to a bit of a slide at the end of this week, and Anderson got on the scoresheet in multiple games to help his team do so. The 6-foot-3 defenseman typically isn’t known for his scoring, so this was a nice couple of outings for him. With that, Anderson is now on pace for his best offensive season ever in the WHL, which will go a long way with the Colorado coaching staff and management, who have made it clear that you have to be able to chip in offensively to be a part of the team’s blue line going forward.

Nov. 29: @ Kelowna Rockets

L 5-3 – 0G, 0A

Dec. 1: vs Vancouver Giants

L 5-3 – 1G, 0A

Dec. 2: vs Vancouver Giants

W 6-2 – 0G, 1A

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

Tri-City Picked up two more wins this week. That was the good news for Nate Clurman. The bad news, the 6-foot-2 Colorado native and Avalanche prospect has now gone 14 games without a single point. Shut down defensemen with no offensive upside just don’t have a place in today’s NHL.

Dec. 1: vs Madison Capitols

W 5-2 – 0G, 0A

Dec. 2: vs Madison Capitols

W 3-0 – 0G, 0A

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

IK Oskarshamn dropped both games this week, but they did manage to take one game to overtime, so they didn’t come away completely empty-handed. Olhaver scored his fourth goal of the season but didn’t do much else to help the team to try to pick up wins.

Nov. 22: @ BIK Karlskoga

L 5-3 – 1G, 0A

Nov. 25: vs IF Troja/Ljungby

L (OT) 3-2 – 0G, 0A

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

Despite Werner’s less than stellar showing in his lone start last week, he was called upon for both IF Björklöven’s games this week and split the results winning one and losing the other. In his win, he was outstanding. Stopping 29 of 30 shots faced, Werner helped his team to an easy win in a game that was otherwise closely contested. But just three nights later, it was more of what we saw from him last week… less than inspiring.

Nov. 29: @ AIK

W 4-1 – 1GA, .966 Save Percentage

Nov. 24: vs Västerviks IK

L 6-1 – 6GA, .823 Save Percentage

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

Kvaca got a well earned night off this week, and only saw action once in two games. Kvaca picked up another win this week as he continues to be one of the league’s best netminders. His team pretty well dominated in his one start, but they struggled to put many pucks past the opposing goaltender, so having Kvaca had to be on his game when shots that were few and far between did make it on net.

Nov. 20: vs HC Slavia Praha

W 4-2 – 2GA, .882 Save Percentage

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

Shvyrov’s team didn’t see any action this week.

The MHL doesn’t make their game stats very accessible, so while we try to find a reliable source of info for this league on a weekly basis, we’ll just take a look at his season totals every week.

4GP, 4G, 5A, 9P

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

Another sweep for the Fighting Irish as they downed Michigan State twice in two days. Morrison didn’t have any points in the series but did manage three shots in the second game of the back to back set.

Dec. 1: @ Michigan State Spartans

W 3-1 – 0G, 0A

Dec. 2: @ Michigan State Spartans

W 2-0 – 0G, 0A

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

Smirnov got back into Penn State’s lineup for the first time in a month after suffering an undisclosed injury. Like any player who hasn’t played in a month, games this weekend were about him getting back up to game speed. He managed one goal and eight shots in the two games his team played against Ohio State.

Nov. 24: @ Ohio State Buckeyes

Tie 5-5 – 0G, 0A

Nov. 25: @ Ohio State Buckeyes

W 4-0 1G, 0A

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

Colorado’s newest prospect had a huge week against cross-town rival Boston College. Even though each Boston area school picked up a win, Bowers was a factor for BU both nights. He was all over the scoresheet when his Terriers beat down the Eagles with a goal, two assists, five shots and was a +2. The next night, while his team was on the losing end, Bowers was the only BU player to find the back of the net.

Dec. 1: @ Boston College Eagles

W 7-4 – 1G, 2A

Nov. 25: vs Boston College Eagles

L 4-1 – 1G, 0A

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

Just one game for the Minutemen this week, and Makar was spectacular. While he only picked up one point, the way he controls the ice is something else. He had four shots on goal to go along with his assist and is a constant offensive threat from the back end. UMass Amherst continues to hang around relevance thanks in large part to their freshman phenom. 

Nov. 24: vs UConn Huskies

W 4-2 – 0G, 1A

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

Geertsen spent most of the week serving a suspension but got back into action in time for San Antonio’s annual Teddy Bear Toss game against the Iowa Wild. No points for the 6-foot-4 defenseman, but he made an impact in the lineup, as his first game back was the only win for Colorado’s JV team.

Nov. 21: @ Ontario Reign

L  3-1 – Suspended

Nov. 22: vs Iowa Wild

L 5-3 – Suspended

Nov. 25: vs Iowa Wild

W (OT) 4-3 – 0G, 0A

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

After a brief stint with the Colorado Eagles, Nantel made his way back to the Rampage roster. He got into the lineup for both of San Antonio’s home games, registering one goal in each outing, including the game-tying goal in the overtime win. Despite having a good weekend, Nantel continues to be a bit of a mystery. Dominant at the ECHL level, but his game just doesn’t quite translate to the next level. It’s now five goals and no helpers for Julien Nantel at the AHL level so far this season.

Nov. 21: @ Ontario Reign

L  3-1 – Did not play

Nov. 22: vs Iowa Wild

L 5-3 – 1G, 0A

Nov. 25: vs Iowa Wild

W (OT) 4-3 – 1G, 0A

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

No Greer this week, as he sat out all three games with an injury. Not what you want for his development.

Nov. 21: @ Ontario Reign

L  3-1 – Injured

Nov. 22: vs Iowa Wild

L 5-3 – Injured

Nov. 25: vs Iowa Wild

W (OT) 4-3 – Injured

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

Meloche continues to be in and out of the lineup, as this Rampage coaching staff seems to prefer a more veteran lineup. It could be even harder for Meloche to find ice time with the arrival of Bigras and Mironov.

Nov. 21: @ Ontario Reign

L  3-1 – 0G, 0A

Nov. 22: vs Iowa Wild

L 5-3 – 0G, 0A

Nov. 25: vs Iowa Wild

W (OT) 4-3 – Scratched

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

Beaudin is making the most of his time with San Antonio. After getting called up last week, we said that we wanted to see Beaudin take that next step. He looks like he has what it takes to play in the American League. He potted three points this week, including his first multi-point game at this level.

Nov. 21: @ Ontario Reign

L  3-1 – 0G, 0A

Nov. 22: vs Iowa Wild

L 5-3 – 1G, 0A

Nov. 25: vs Iowa Wild

W (OT) 4-3 – 1G, 1A

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

After leaving the team for personal reasons, Grimaldi returned to action this week. He continued to be a player that looks like he’s too good for the AHL, but not quite good enough to be a full-time NHLer. Grimaldi scored the OT game-winner against Iowa and had five shots in the one game he was held off the scoresheet.

Nov. 21: @ Ontario Reign

L  3-1 – 0G, 1A

Nov. 22: vs Iowa Wild

L 5-3 – 0G, 0A

Nov. 25: vs Iowa Wild

W (OT) 4-3 – 1G, 1A

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

Every Avs fan is familiar with Chris Bigras. With the logjam at D in Colorado, it was best for Bigras to return the AHL, where he can get top pairing minutes on a nightly basis. Bigras missed the game in Ontario but was with the team for their two games at home against Iowa, where he picked up one point in two nights. Look for him to have a big impact on the team the longer he’s there.

Nov. 21: @ Ontario Reign

L  3-1 – Did not play

Nov. 22: vs Iowa Wild

L 5-3 – 0G, 1A

Nov. 25: vs Iowa Wild

W (OT) 4-3 – 0G, 0A

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

I give Mironov a lot of credit. He (by all accounts) was guaranteed a spot on the NHL roster if he agreed to leave the KHL. But upon arrival in North America, it was obvious he was going to need some time to develop his game. And it seemed like Mironov was smart enough to realize this too. He seems to be embracing the opportunity to play big minutes in the AHL while he improves his play, and adjusts to the North American style of play. He jumped in and made an impact right away this week in San Antonio.

Nov. 21: @ Ontario Reign

L  3-1 – Did not play

Nov. 22: vs Iowa Wild

L 5-3 – 1G, 1A

Nov. 25: vs Iowa Wild

W (OT) 4-3 – 0G, 0A

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

Martin had a very worrisome camp. After showing really well in the AHL last year, and even being named an All-Star, he looked like he had taken a step back. He’s gotten off to a decent start this season, restoring some faith, but didn’t have a great week. The team’s only win came while he was playing the role of backup.

Nov. 21: @ Ontario Reign

L  3-1 – 3GA, .885 Save Percentage

Nov. 22: vs Iowa Wild

L 5-3 – 5GA, ,833 Save Percentage

Nov. 25: vs Iowa Wild

W (OT) 4-3 – Backup

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.