Colorado Avalanche Prospect Profile: Getting to Know Drew Helleson

The Colorado Avalanche drafted a quiet one in defenseman Drew Helleson. In addition to the info here, please know he likes baseball. The Minnesota Twins.

The Colorado Avalanche selected a lot of players in the 2019 NHL Draft. They went wonky for a second, but one player who seemed right on track for the team was Drew Helleson.

Helleson isn’t going to be a high-skill defenseman for the Colorado Avalanche, but that’s ok. They got that with their fourth-overall pick, and they have that at various stages in their development program.

Instead, Helleson is going to be a big, stay-at-home defenseman eventually. He’s already 6-foot-3. He’s a bit willowy at the moment, but he’s only 18. He’s sure to put on some size over at Boston College.

Indeed, in his Avalanche interview, he talks about wanting to put on some weight and get a little stronger during his time at college.

Going away to BU is a boon, too. He’s heading over to Boston College, and he’ll be playing with fellow Avs draftee Alex Newhook.

In fact, in talking about his future teammate, he called him an “unreal player.”

More from Mile High Sticking

Helleson is from Minnesota, and like a lot of these Minnesota hockey boys, he likes his outdoor fun. He’s not quite into the horse racing endeavor yet, like his future alternate captain and fellow Minnesotan Erik Johnson. However, he likes the fishing. Indeed, like many Minnesota families, Drew’s has a cabin near the lakes — there are a lot of lakes in Minnesota.

Anyway, so I’m going through some of his Q & A answers and watching some video of his recent interviews. And I was just about to christen him the Avs own Sean Monahan — who’s so renowned for being boring someone made a whole Twitter account called Boring Sean Monahan. No, really, watch this vanilla interview he does with Cabbie Presents. The most interesting thing about Monahan is his flow — which he says he’s about to get cut off.

Anyway, returning to young Helleson. We do have to remember he’s a young hockey player. Very few start to show personalities at that age. What’s more, defensemen are notoriously shy. Johnson’s dad once revealed that his then-five-year-old son clung to his parents at practice.

So, Drew can be forgiven for not having a lot to say. He’s about to go off to college. As noted, he’ll work on bulking up. He’s already known as being a good skater, and one who keeps his head clear while on the ice.

Anyway, in the meantime, here is one of his interviews once he became a Colorado Avalanche player:

I do have to give the kid credit. He’s wearing a light blue shirt and a burgundy tie. Plus, you know, his hair is already getting a little long. Maybe he’ll take over the flow Sean Monahan was too scared to maintain.

Home/Prospects