The Colorado Avalanche prospect pool might not be the most touted in the NHL, as the team has traded many picks and prospects to increase its chances of winning a Stanley Cup. They often draft low when they have a pick, due to their success in the regular season. However, they do have some notable prospects to keep an eye on this season that have started the season pretty well and are worth keeping an eye on. Note: the players that will be discussed or labeled as “prospects” will all be under the age of 24 and/or have played less than 10 NHL games Tristen Nielsen one-times a shot that is denied by Scott Wedgewood at training camp on September 20. CHRISTIAN HUMPHREYS, RW/C, KITCHENER RANGERS (OHL) For a seventh-round pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, Christian Humphreys has shown a lot of growth with the Kitchener Rangers. He initially started last season with the University of Michigan, but he only had one assist in ten games and was shuffled up and down the line every night. That's where his OHL scholarship and Development Agreement [https://chl.ca/ohl/article/rangers-sign-university-of-michigan-forward-christian-humphreys/], midway through the season, played a significant role, leading to his move to the Rangers in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). Humphreys is always positioned in the right spot. He racks up the touches by staying inside space in the offensive zone and perfectly timed reloading routes in transition. He meticulously breaks down opposing defences by slowing down, deceiving, and waiting for his target to pop free before connecting with a precise long-range pass. A disruptive defensive game and steals on the forecheck round out his game. - EliteProspects [https://chl.ca/whl-oilkings/article/oil-kings-acquire-import-curran-from-tri-city/] In just 28 games leading into the playoffs, Humphreys finished with 11 goals and 22 assists for 33 points, finishing eighth on the team in points in just a fraction of the games played. With three goals and seven assists for 10 points in 13 games, he helped the Rangers to the Conference Championship but was swept by the eventual champions, the London Knights. Shopping for Ice Time: The New Reality Of Junior Hockey Recruitment [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/fe332fcd-b318-4811-8f30-70f5d94ee89f.jpeg] Shopping for Ice Time: The New Reality Of Junior Hockey Recruitment "I'd rather play a lot more than worry about money." After NHL prospect Christian Humphreys left the NCAA for the CHL during last season, another player followed suit this week. [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/shopping-for-ice-time-the-new-reality-of-junior-hockey-recruitment] This season, Humphreys is showing that last season was just a sign of things to come, as he already has six goals and 15 assists for 21 points in 14 games, leading the team in assists and points and helping the team stay just four points out of the top spot in the Western Conference. MAX CURRAN, C/LW, EDMONTON OIL KINGS (WHL) Curran was a major standout last season for Avalanche prospects as he entered his sophomore season with the Tri-City Americans in the Western Hockey League (WHL). It was a significant one indeed, as he finished with 22 goals and 52 assists for 74 points, leading the team in assists and points. Despite an ok regular season that saw them finish seventh in the Western Conference and make the playoffs, they lost in the first round in five games to the Victoria Royals, where Curran had one goal and two assists for three points. Curran, this past summer, was acquired by the Oil Kings in a trade and has received a lot of respect from the Oil Kings' President and General Manager, Kirt Hill, during the announcement of the deal. [https://chl.ca/whl-oilkings/article/oil-kings-acquire-import-curran-from-tri-city/] “Max is a guy that obviously has that veteran prowess being in the league for the last couple seasons,”. He continues to talk about the abilities and attributes he brings to the team, showcasing what makes him really stand out and how he thinks he can help the team succeed. So far, the start of the season has been excellent. Through 17 games, Curran has five goals and 16 assists for 21 points, leading the team in assists and tied for second in points. Helping the Oil Kings to a hot 13-4-1-1 start and sitting on top of the Eastern Conference and the WHL with 28 points. With notable prospect names like Adam Jecho (Blues), Blake Fiddler (Kraken), and Miroslav Holinka (Leafs), the team could look to go all the way this year with Curran as a catalyst to their success. FRANCESCO DELL’ELCE, D, UMASS (NCAA) While I wanted to give credit to Danill Gushchin’s performance with the Colorado Eagles, or seventh-round draft pick Nolan Roed's performance with the St. Cloud State University, the “top pick” of the draft, Dell’Elce has been on par so far this season compared to his draft season performance of seven goals and 17 assists for 24 points. With two goals and five assists for seven points, he leads all defensemen in points and is third on the team in scoring, helping the team to a 6-3-0 record and ranking 13th so far this season. As of writing (November 6, 2025), they are scheduled to face the University of Maine, which is 5-2-1 and ranked 6th, so a win could be an impressive boost to their season. Dell’Elce’s an offensive-minded left-shot defender with NHL-level mobility and a projectable shot. His vision under pressure is absurd, connecting on long-bomb outlets with forecheckers only feet away. He will even go as far as baiting forecheckers deeper into the defensive zone just to explode past them. - EliteProspects [https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/723401/francesco-dell-elce] As stated, he was the “top pick” in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, as the Avalanche didn’t select until the third round, and they liked him for the offensive skills he showed last season. The skill set he has in the third round is an incredible feat for that round. He turned 20 on June 23, so he is eligible to sign his Entry Level Contract. Still, he is only in his sophomore season, so expect him to stay with UMass for another season or two unless management really likes what they see from him and gets him in some Eagles games to continue his development. Check back next month for another check-in on notable Avalanche prospects' performances, and stay updated, as interviews with some of these prospects are lined up to discuss their starts to the season and more, coming soon. Challenge Accepted: Bednar leans on identity ahead of Oilers duel [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/2e9534c7-fb8f-4c25-9452-52fa4f123bb7.jpeg] Challenge Accepted: Bednar leans on identity ahead of Oilers duel The Edmonton Oilers have been limiting a lot of scoring chances as of late, but Jared Bednar isn't worried one bit. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/colorado-avalanche/latest-news/challenge-accepted-bednar-leans-on-identity-ahead-of-oilers-duel]
