Avalanche reportedly signs Harvard center Alex Kerfoot

A high-quality college free agent reportedly has chosen to sign with the Colorado Avalanche, and no that’s not a sentence of typos.

Alex Kerfoot, who was the center on a high-scoring line with Jimmy Vesey and considered one of the top players in American college hockey, reportedly agreed to a two-year, entry-level contract with the Avs Wednesday. The news was first reported by TSN’s Darren Dreger on Twitter. The Avs have yet to confirm the signing. At 5-foot-10, 175 pounds, Kerfoot certainly isn’t a big center.

But his quick feet and better-than-average skill make him a solid NHL prospect. He also gives the Avs more depth at center should they move Matt Duchene, which is still distinctly possible.

The British Columbia roots of Joe Sakic seemingly played a role in convincing Kerfoot to sign with Colorado, despite being the worst team in the NHL last season. Kerfoot is from West Vancouver, and Sakic was born in Vancouver and grew up in nearby Burnaby, B.C. Sakic was an idol to Kerfoot, who is 23 and coming off a four-year career with Harvard.

Kerfoot, a left-handed shot, scored 16 goals and 45 points for the Crimson last season. In the three seasons before that, he and Vesey formed a deadly line combination that helped Harvard regain NCAA prominence.

Kerfoot was drafted 150th overall by the New Jersey Devils in 2012, but failed to sign a deal with the Devils and became a free agent Aug. 16. He reportedly had a handful of teams on a final list before deciding on Colorado.

Here are some highlights of Kerfoot: