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Colorado Avalanche Draft Matthew Stienburg and Alex Beaucage in 3rd Round

ByNadia Archuleta|
BOISBRIAND, QC - SEPTEMBER 29: Alex Beaucage #16 of the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies skates after the puck against the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada during the QMJHL game at Centre d'Excellence Sports Rousseau on September 29, 2017 in Boisbriand, Quebec, Canada. The Rouyn-Noranda Huskies defeated the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada 4-2. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
BOISBRIAND, QC - SEPTEMBER 29: Alex Beaucage #16 of the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies skates after the puck against the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada during the QMJHL game at Centre d'Excellence Sports Rousseau on September 29, 2017 in Boisbriand, Quebec, Canada. The Rouyn-Noranda Huskies defeated the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada 4-2. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)

The Colorado Avalanche used their two third-round selections, #63 and #78, of the 2019 NHL Draft to pick first Matthew Stienburg then Alex Beaucage.

The Colorado Avalanche have used their final trade asset from the Ottawa Senators, the #63 draft pick on center/right wing Matthew Steinburg. They used their own draft pick, #78, on winger Alex Beaucage.

Matthew Stienburg

2018-19 Team: St. Andrew’s College (CAHS/CISAA)
Date of Birth: Oct 7, 2000 (18 years old)
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 185 lbs.
Position: Center/Right wing
Shoots: Right

Ranked #215 by MCKEEN’S HOCKEY
Ranked #133 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Skaters)

Holy drafting off-board, Batman. Look at high he rose. This was the #63 pick — there’s no reason to think

Steinburg

Stienburg (weird spelling) should go in the third round. He might not have gotten drafted at all. Luckily, this was a gift, Ottawa’s pick. We already got so much — a little gamble is no big deal.

As TSN pointed out, the Avalanche are adding some size. They say that Stienburg is a player who “loves to drive the net.”

Four years ago, Matt Stienburg was diagnosed with osteomyelitis, a rare but serious bone infection. He became sick with the flu around Christmas then had unbearable pain in his shoulder and hip. He required two shoulder surgeries and two hip surgeries to overcome the illness.

Here’s video of how he had to overcome adversity:

He eventually went on to play for the Halifax McDonald’s of the NSMMHL and then St. Andrew’s College of the CAHS. He spent last year as their captain. He earned 75 points (33 goals, 42 assists) in 56 games.

Matt Stienburg will play at Cornell University next season.

Mark Seidel, and independent scout, said of Steinburg:

"“Like a lot of players that come out of St. Andrew’s, he understands the game. And I think when you’re getting a centre into the National League draft like that, it’s something teams look for.”"

I get the hockey sense aspect, but I’m still shaking my head at this selection — especially since Seidel scouted him to go in the fifth or sixth round.

Alex Beaucage

2018-19 Team: Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (QMJHL)
Date of Birth: Jul 25, 2001 (17 years old)
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 192 lbs.
Position: Right wing/Left wing
Shoots: Right

Ranked #53 by THE ATHLETIC
Ranked #101 by HOCKEYPROSPECT.COM
Ranked #80 by FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS
Ranked #55 by ISS HOCKEY
Ranked #138 by MCKEEN’S HOCKEY
Ranked #64 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Skaters)
Ranked #66 by ELITEPROSPECTS.COM
Ranked #75 by TSN/McKenzie

More from Draft

Ok, with this selection the Colorado Avalanche returned to the draft board proper. Alex Beaucage was ranked as high as #53. Only McKeen’s Hockey dropped him low — #138 — while most kept him in the third round.

Beaucage won the Memorial Cup with the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies last season. He played in only five playoff games, recording 2 points (1 goal, 1 assist). In the regular season, he recorded 79 points (39 goals, 40 assists).

TSN said of Alex, “Because of his big body he’s a bit of a man child.” My quest for size is certainly being met — at just 17 years old Beaucage is 6-foot-3, 192 pounds. And, as you can see by his stats, he’s got some skill.

Here’s how his coach Mario Pouliot described Beaucage to The Hockey News:

"“He’s a big kid and he improved a lot. He’s moving his feet more and is more physical on the forecheck. He’s really good with the puck and he has improved on making plays in motion and attacking the net. And he’s really good on the power play.”"

It’s said that he needs to improve his skating. With such size — and he’ll probably add an inch or two — he’s going to have good stride.

The Hockey News further scouts Beaucage: “A nifty offensive player with great stickhandling abilities, Beaucage can both dish and finish.”

Here’s what Bill Placzek of The Draft Site has to say about Beaucage:

"“Has become a nice sized winger with his growth spurt. With it, he has grown into a nice prospect who flows with the games tempo all 200 feet. Quickly gets to open ice and displays light edging and makes himself available for receptions. He can gain inside position and cut hard to the net. Blocks shots. Has room to put more weight on his frame and he can get quicker and get comfortable with his taller / larger size.”"

This is fun:

Analysis of the Third Round

I’m puzzled by the Stienburg selection. I’m sure he’s a good kid — they all are. And he has a heart-warming story. But he was likely to still be available in the fifth round, when Colorado selected #140. Well, like I said — it was a gift pick from Ottawa.

Alex Beaucage makes a lot more sense. I feel like he can work on his skating over the next couple years and maybe make the team at training camp. With his size and skill, he could be a player competing for a bottom-six roster spot down the line.

Side note, if you check out my 7-round mock draft below for the Avs, you’ll see the Montreal Canadiens stole my desired prospect twice in the real draft.

The Colorado Avalanche will present their new prospects next week at the Prospect Development Camp.

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