Avs pick Helleson in second round

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The Colorado Avalanche selected right-handed defenseman Drew Helleson with the 47th overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft. Helleson, 18, played the last two seasons with the United States Development Program. He is committed to Boston College this fall.

At 6-foot-3 and 194 pounds, Helleson is a lockdown defenseman. He skates well and has decent puck skills but he is best known for his ability in the defensive third.

In 64 games with the US National U18 team this season, Helleson scored 23 points. However, while playing on the U17 team the season prior, Helleson nearly doubled his scoring rate with 40 points in 61 games.

The Avalanche have five picks left in the draft, including two in the third round.