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Colorado Avalanche Sign Harvard Standout Alex Kerfoot

By Aaron Goldschmidt

BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 13: Harvard University Crimson forward Alexander Kerfoot (14) and Boston University Terriers forward Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson (23) face off during the third period of the Beanpot Tournament championship game between the Harvard Crimson and the Boston University Terriers on February 13th, 2017 at TD Garden in Boston, MA. The Crimson beat the Terriers 6-3. (Photo by John Kavouris/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 13: Harvard University Crimson forward Alexander Kerfoot (14) and Boston University Terriers forward Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson (23) face off during the third period of the Beanpot Tournament championship game between the Harvard Crimson and the Boston University Terriers on February 13th, 2017 at TD Garden in Boston, MA. The Crimson beat the Terriers 6-3. (Photo by John Kavouris/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Harvard captain Alex Kerfoot chose to test the free agency, ultimately deciding on the Colorado Avalanche as his new team.

Although University of Denver and this year’s Hobey Baker winner Will Butcher has been getting the most attention as the top NCAA free agent, forward Alex Kerfoot could be a close second. It was announced Wednesday that Kerfoot has chosen to sign an entry level contract with the Colorado Avalanche after leaving the New Jersey Devils organization.

Kerfoot, 23, led the Harvard Crimson to the Frozen Four this year in Chicago. He had his best collegiate year statistically.  The 5’10” 174 pound forward scored 16 goals and had 28 assists in 36 games.

Drafted in 2012 in the 5th round by the Devils, Kerfoot, played all four years at Harvard and was captain during his senior season.  Similar to last year’s Harvard star Jimmy Vesey, he decided to test free agency instead of signing with the team that drafted him. While Vesey decided to sign with the New York Rangers, Kerfoot’s going to a team that isn’t expected to contend. However, it makes all the sense in the world for him to go there.

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The Avalanche seem to be an attractive team to sign with this week for college players. It’s worth noting Minnesota-Duluth forward Dominic Toninato just left the Toronto Maple Leafs organization and signed with Colorado.  It’s possible that the rebuild in Denver has created a lot of open roster spots, which could be the main selling point for general manager Joe Sakic.

Teams like Toronto may not have a roster spot that they can guarantee, which makes it interesting why Kerfoot left New Jersey who could definitely use his services. Looking at Colorado’s roster, he’s either their third best center or he’s worth giving a third line role too because the other options just aren’t good.

The Avalanche nucleus of Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, Tyson Jost, JT Compher, Dominic Toninato and now Alex Kerfoot looks to be a very promising for the future.  Not to mention Gabriel Landeskog and Matt Duchene, who can only sit and wait to be flipped for assets. Colorado has signed Kerfoot and Toninato very recently. This suggests at least one of Landeskog and Duchene could be moved relatively quickly.

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There is no doubt the Avalanche will continue to get younger and faster, and Kerfoot could very well be a tremendous addition to expedite their rebuilding process. He might not be as good as Vesey, but for a team needing young, fast players, Kerfoot could be a diamond in the rough.

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