Colorado Avalanche: Top 8 prospects worth getting excited about
6. Shane Bowers
One of the biggest pieces the Avalanche received from the Matt Duchene trade was Shane Bowers, who the Ottawa Senators had selected with the 28th overall pick at the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. At the time of being drafted, he had just wrapped up his second season in the USHL with the Waterloo Black Hawks where he scored 22 goals and added 29 assists in 60 games. He then went on to play two seasons for Boston University and also suited up for Team Canada at the 2019 World Juniors.
The 2019-20 season was Bowers first as a professional hockey player. The 21-year-old, who was 20 for the entirety of the season, suited up for 48 games with the Eagles, posting 10 goals and 27 points. Those totals are quite impressive for a player of his age. He will likely spend the 2020-21 season with the Eagles again and look to build on those numbers. If he can, he may earn himself a call up to the NHL at some point this coming season.
5. Justus Annunen
One of Colorado’s more intriguing prospects is goaltender Justus Annunen. The 2018 third-round pick (No. 64 overall) remains relatively unknown as he has yet to play a season on North American soil. However, the six-foot-three netminder was able to impress many during the 2020 World Juniors where he represented Team Finland. In six games played, he put up a 2.65 goals against average (GAA) along with a .916 save percentage (SV%). Unfortunately, he and his teammates lost to Team Sweden in the Bronze Medal Game, but it was a solid performance nonetheless.
Related Story. Top 8 Vegas Golden Knights Prospects worth getting excited about. light
While his numbers at the World Juniors were good they were nothing compared to the totals he posted in the SM-liiga during the 2019-20 season. In 23 games for Karpat, he put up an incredible 1.77 GAA along with a .929 SV and a 15-5-3 record. It should be noted that it was in a backup role, but, given the fact he was just 19 at the time, playing in one of the top professional leagues in Europe makes it extremely impressive. He has gotten his 2020-21 season with Karpat underway, and has a 2.20 GAA along with a .890 SV% in five games so far. Look for him to improve those totals while also receiving more playing time this season.