Colorado Avalanche Prospect Watch: NCAA/Europe
Our mini-series started Friday with the Colorado Avalanche’s CHL prospects and will be finished with those that are currently active in the NCAA and in Europe.
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Most of the Avalanche’s prospects play in the CHL. That leaves us with five NCAA/European players, none of which are forwards.
It remains to be seen how many of them will be able to make the NHL, as they are all late round picks. But since there is some late-round-talent in almost every draft, we will have a look at how the Avalanche’s prospects did.
G Maximilian Pajpach (Tappara Tampere U20, Jr. A SM-Liiga)
Draft: 2014, 174th overall
Age: 19
HF Talent Evaluation: 6.5 D
2014-2015 stats:
| GP | GAA | SVS% |
|---|---|---|
| – | – | – |
2014-2015 recap:
Maximilian Pajpach got injured during training camp in Finland and has not been able to play a single game this season. He missed the World Juniors as well.
2015-2016 outlook:
Pajpach will have to recover from his injury in Tampere. He may be able to travel to Colorado’s 2015 prospect camp.
D Will Butcher (University of Denver, NCAA)
Draft: 2013, 123rd overall pick
Age: 20
HF Talent Evaluation: 7.0 C
2014-2015 stats:
| GP | G | A | P | PIM | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36 | 3 | 13 | 16 | 8 | 5 |
2014-2015 recap:
Will Butcher had a decent second season at the University of Denver, as he appeared in 36 of their 42 games. The two-way defenceman added a lot of bulk and know weighs in at about 200 pounds, which helped his defensive game. Butcher represented the United States at the World Juniors. He still needs to get more responsive in the defensive end and get a little stronger before he can turn pro. The potential is certainly there.
2015-2016 outlook:
Butcher will need another season at the college level. He needs to mature and has plenty of defensive talent ahead of him. Once Bigras and Geertsen get called up to Colorado, Butcher should get a chance with their AHL-affiliate.
D Wilhelm Westlund (Vita Hästen HC, Allsvenskan)
Draft: 2013, 183rd overall
Age: 20
HF Talent Evaluation: 6.5 D
2014-2015 stats:
| GP | G | A | P | PIM | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 | 2 | 9 | 11 | 18 | 0 |
2014-2015 recap:
Wilhelm Westlund did fairly well in his first full pro season. He was not outstanding in any area, but his two-way game was solid. Westlund showed that he has all the tools to succeed on the pro-level — but he will have to improve a lot if he ever wants to get NHL ice-time.
2015-2016 outlook:
Westlund is expected to play for Djugården (who he signed a contract with prior to this season) in the SHL next season.
D Anton Lindholm (Skellefteå, SHL)
Draft: 2014, 144th overall pick
Age: 20
HF Talent Evaluation: 6.5 D
2014-2015 stats:
| GP | G | A | P | PIM | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 35 | 12 |
2014-2015 recap:
Anton Lindholm‘s first pro season was alright. But that is it. He has to learn a lot — his offensive game needs to improve and his game needs to become more physical, if he wants to play in North America. Playing in the Swedish top-league and the European Champions League will be great for his development, though. Lindholm has also played five games for Malmö in the Allsvenskan, recording a goal and two assists.
2015-2016 outlook:
Lindholm will need much more time in Sweden before he can make the jump — if he can make it at all.
D Ben Storm (St. Cloud State University, NCAA)
Draft: 2013, 153rd overall pick
Age: 20
HF Talent Evaluation: 6.0 D
2014-2015 stats:
| GP | G | A | P | PIM | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 14 | -9 |
2014-2015 recap:
Ben Storm did not have the greatest sophomore year in the NCAA. A stay-at-home defenceman, he spent most of the time on one of the bottom pairs or as the #7-defenceman. Storm will have to improve in all areas of the game. His skating and mobility are sub-par.
2015-2016 outlook:
Storm will have to stay in college hockey for as long as he is eligible, before competing for a contract with the Avalanche.