Avalanche take defenseman Cale Makar with first-round NHL draft pick

Few players saw their stock rise as quickly in recent months as an NHL draft prospect than defenseman Cale Makar. Friday night, with the fourth pick in the first round of the draft in Chicago, the Avalanche made Makar its property.

Colorado wanted and needed a defenseman in this draft, and it might have found the best one available in the Alberta Junior Hockey League player. Sure, every team says that about their first-round picks, but the Avs believe they have a future star on their hands for years to come on the back end with Makar.

Makar and Finnish player Miro Heiskanen were considered the top two D-men available in the draft, but Avs chief scout Alan Hepple tipped the club’s hand a bit earlier this week when asked to compare the two as potential NHLers:

“They’re a bit of different player, came from different backgrounds a little bit. Cale Makar played Alberta junior level this year and Heiskanen played with the men, pro. He didn’t get the points, he didn’t get the offensive numbers that we thought he would but very good skater, very good puck mover,” Hepple said on Monday. “Cale Makar, probably a little lesser league but again, great skater, put up great numbers and a very good puck mover.”

After the Avs selected Makar, NBCSN and TSN draft guru Craig Button said, “Outstanding in transition.”

Bob McKenzie said on NBCSN, “The only reason why we don’t know if he can play any D is because he always has the puck on his stick.”

Here are some highlights from Makar’s most recent season:

Get to Know Cale Makar

Date of Birth: 10/30/1998
Place of Birth: Calgary, AB, CAN
Ht: 5’11” Wt: 179 lbs
Shoots: Right
Position: Defense
Team (League): Brooks Bandits (AJHL)

Statistics