EL SEGUNDO, CA – The 2024 Rookie faceoff for the Colorado Avalanche has wrapped up and it concluded with a 6-3 loss at the hands of the San Jose Sharks. Here are your studs and duds.
STUDS
SEAN BEHRENS
In his second game of the tournament Behrens seemed to be at his most comfortable. He did all the things right defensively that would be expected of him in a game that got chippy and fast paced from the start. The 5’10” 176 lbs left the tournament with a point, but it was ability to advance the puck from his zone with confidence helping to spark several breakouts. Within his own zone he proved a physical presence in the corners and an authority in front of the net. Behrens also showed his ability and willingness to eat pucks. He finished the weekend with close to a dozen blocks.
MATT STIENBURG
Stienburg started the scoring off with a beauty of a goal on the power play after another silky pass by Cal Ritchie found his stick. His presence on the right wing in his second game of the weekend was also instrumental in freeing up space and time for Ritchie to do his thing. But for me the real standout for there 23-year old was the leadership. It was the second game now that he wore the ‘C’ and it’s clear that the organization views him as a leader. Speaking with several players over the course of the last three days, they echoed his presence both in the room and on the ice as a dependable voice. And finally, in an Avs organization that is a bit short on physicality, Steinburg threw his weight around. He was one of the most physical players on the Avs rookie roster this weekend.
MAREK HOWELL
After a very late camp invite and a slow start to the tournament Howell showed that he was able to very quickly adapt to the situation and that was on display in the final game of the weekend. Howell took advantage of the ice time he was given and made good use of it. Net front was probably his biggest strength, and today in a game that was extra chippy after the whistles, it was a necessity to have an enforcer on hand at the crease. Howell found himself engaged in more than a few after whistle net front scrums and it was his “sacrifice the body and protect the team” attitude that stood out. He knew his role today and he filled it.
DUDS
AVALANCHE 0-3 RECORD
It would have been nice to win just one. But again, this event is not about winning or losing its about introducing the players to the culture of the organization and getting them used to being a pro. For many, it’s the first time that they have worn the crest of the Avalanche, and ahead of main camp, it’s nice to get the jitters out. No one will lose sleep over whether the games were won or lost, this was about individual wins and showing the organization who you are and checking the boxes they had set for you. But again, it would have been nice to win just one.
