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Colorado Avalanche: Cale Makar Dominating in UMass Sophomore Season

By Nadia Archuleta|
AMHERST, MA - NOVEMBER 9: Cale Makar #16 of the Massachusetts Minutemen warms up before NCAA hockey against the Providence College Friars at the Mullins Center on November 9, 2017 in Amherst, Massachusetts. Massachusetts won 5-2. (Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images)
AMHERST, MA - NOVEMBER 9: Cale Makar #16 of the Massachusetts Minutemen warms up before NCAA hockey against the Providence College Friars at the Mullins Center on November 9, 2017 in Amherst, Massachusetts. Massachusetts won 5-2. (Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images)

The Colorado Avalanche’s top defensive prospect, Cale Makar, is achieving what he set out to do — achieve dominance at the collegiate level.

Colorado Avalanche prospect Cale Makar stayed in college to help develop the University of Massachussets men’s hockey program as a dominant player. He got off to a stellar start in his sophomore debut, recording two goals and two assists for four points to help the team win 6-1.

And he hasn’t slowed down. In six games, Makar has amassed 11 points (3 goals, 8 assists). Those points include two other multi-point nights — a three-point (1 goal, 2 assists) night against Ohio State and a two-point (2 assists) against Merrimack. He leads the team in scoring and has helped the Minutemen get off to a 5-1 start — and even in that lone loss, Makar recorded a point (an assist).

As you can imagine, with a start like that, Makar is garnering some notice. Let’s look at some of the best plays he’s made so far. Look at this beauty of a goal from Makar:

Is it just me, or did he channel Nathan MacKinnon as he put on that burst of speed. That looked like a Nate Dawg special.

Cale Makar’s second goal, and fourth point, of his UMass sophomore debut:

Very appropriate Flashback Friday clip:


It’s from last season. Makar is still so young, though:

But he’s a-dominating, people:

By the way, that three-point night against Ohio State was a three-point night against the NCAA’s top team.

Makar’s college coach, Greg Carvel, said of the young phenom:

"“If he’s not one of the best players at our level, nobody is. He’s outstanding. He’s gotten quicker, he’s gotten faster, he’s gotten stronger.”"

Cale Makar is going to be a Colorado Avalanche sooner rather than later. He’s not going to go the way of Will Butcher — he’s much higher-rated and higher-impact anyway.

It’s expected by the Avalanche and even by Greg Carvel that Makar will turn pro at the conclusion of the Minutemen’s season. Unfortunately, thanks to Cale himself, said season may last longer if he leads them into a lengthy playoff run. We all rather think he will.

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