The young guns got to show off to the big guys on the coaching staff.
On the United States’ birthday, the Colorado Avalanche celebrated by playing in Canada’s most popular sport. Nonetheless, day two of development camp got underway with a couple of new faces from just down the road.
New Denver Pioneer freshman and Avalanche draftees Tory Pitner and Jake Fisher joined the group after missing out yesterday. Pitner, who was in the first group, was good to watch, with good feet and transition skills. Fisher’s first appearance came in the second group, where he looked sluggish with his skating but wicked with his wrist shot.
.@DU_Hockey well represented here at Development Camp, with three current/past defenders attending, pictured here! #GoAvsGo #GoPios pic.twitter.com/CLum0cXmWs
— Mile High Hockey (@MileHighHockey) July 4, 2024
They joined Chase Bradley and Nikita Pirshchepov, who have been two of the best surprises at camp. Both would eventually get busy with the goaltenders after their own session, where Matt Davis’ crimson and gold DU colors shined with the Avalanche logo, and Jake Barczewski looked to build off of his one not-so-good game as a member of the Colorado Eagles last year.
Something about the crimson and gold mixed with the Avalanche logo with Matt Davis #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/bWNlxvO7a7
— Mile High Hockey (@MileHighHockey) July 4, 2024
Jake Barczewski from Michigan will be with the Colorado Eagles this season behind Trent Miner. In his one game last year, he had a 6.94 GAA and a .813 SV%. Definitely will want to be upping that #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/TiFojVsyhk
— Mile High Hockey (@MileHighHockey) July 4, 2024
Everybody in the big group practice at the end of the day would be worked to the bone, thanks to appearances from Jared Bednar and his coaching staff. With their appearances, the intensity ramped up, and everybody moved twice as fast as they had been.
In game-like situations to end the day alongside shootout practice, Colby Ambrosio stood out in the forward group and scored two nice shootout goals. Of course, it wouldn’t be without a Makar ending the shootout game, Taylor Makar, that is.
Colby Ambrosio is flying this morning. #Avs #GoAvsGo @TheRinkColorado pic.twitter.com/XP8QVmwMOr
— Brennan Vogt (@brennan_vogt) July 4, 2024
At the end of the day, two names stuck out as a good performer: Chad Hillebrand. He played his college career at Western Michigan and is at camp on an invite. He played with the Eagles for two games on an ATO and is on an AHL contract to start next season.
He’s got good ability handling the puck and speed to show for it. He never had much of a scoring touch, but he could be a solid bottom-six forward in Loveland going forward and will be an interesting watch.
One more day of development camp awaits, with a lighter session in the morning. They’ll all leave their energy and effort out on the ice Friday evening with a scrimmage starting at 4 p.m. MT. We’ll be on location to cover this last bit of hockey action before the dog days of summer truly begin!
