News and Notes

All Good Things...

The Portland Winterhawks fell to Edmonton in game seven of the WHL Championship Series last Sunday by a score of 4-1. Troy Rutkowski was minus two in the deciding game and overall had four assists in the series. Rutkowski finished the WHL playoffs with one goal and nine assists. Rutkowski now awaits a contract from the Avalanche, who hold his rights until June 1st.

Last Man Standing

Dillon Donnelly is the last remaining Avalanche prospect playing as his Shawinigan Cataractes are hosting the 2012 Memorial Cup. The host Cataractes lost to the Edmonton Oil Kings on Friday to open the tournament. Donnelly had a high-sticking infraction in the opening period of the game and was involved in a fight during the second frame.

A complete schedule of games is available here. Game are televised on Sportsnet in Canada and on the NHL Network in the US.

HF: Trio of Defensemen Virtually Sweep Avalanche Prospect Awards

Below is the first edition of the Colorado Avalanche prospect awards. Featuring most prominently are a troika of defensemen whose skill and efforts have elevated them to the top of the organization's prospect pool.

Full Story: Hockey's Future

News and Notes

WHL Championship Series

Heading into game six on Saturday, the Edmonton Oil Kings have a 3-2 series lead over the Portland Winterhawks in the best-of-seven series. Troy Rutkowski has four assists in the series. Root Sports Northwest will carry game six on Saturday. Puck drop is after 7:00 PM MST. 

OHL All-Star

The Ontario Hockey League announced their all-star teams on Thursday. Sudbury Wolves forward Michael Sgarbossa was named to the first team. He led all players in scoring during the regular season with 102 points.

Prospect Signing Tracker (updated)

Added: Aittokalliio, Millan

CHL (June 1, 2012)

Troy Rutkowski, Portland (WHL)

Stephen Silas, Belleville (OHL)

NCAA (August 15, 2012)

Paul Carey, Boston College (HE) -- signed a two-year entry level contract with Colorado (NHL) on 04/11/12

Kieran Millan, Boston University (HE) -- signed a two-year entry level contract with Colorado (NHL) on 05/10/12

  

Kent Patterson, Minnesota (WCHA) -- signed a two-year entry level contract with Colorado (NHL) on 05/09/12

Europe (June 1, 2012)

Sami Aittokallio, Ilves (SM-Liiga)  -- signed a three-year entry level contract with Colorado (NHL) on 05/11/12

Dates in parenthesis are deadlines in which players must be signed or Colorado will lose their rights. Rights for players already drafted out of Europe vary depending on the country.

  

Other Signings/ Transactions

Expiring NHL Contracts (In the System/ Players Coming off ELC)

Patrick Bordeleau (UFA)

Evan Brophey (UFA)

Trevor Cann (RFA)

Zach Cohen (RFA)

Cedrick Desjardins (UFA)

Matt Duchene (RFA)

Jonas Holos (RFA)

David Liffiton (UFA)

Greg Mauldin (UFA)

Justin Mercier (UFA)

Ryan O'Reilly (RFA)

Jake Newton (RFA)

Mark Olver (RFA)

Danny Richmond (UFA)

Patrick Rissmiller (UFA)

Ryan Stoa (UFA)

David van der Gulik (UFA)

Prospect Signing Tracker (updated)

Added: Carey, Patterson

CHL (June 1, 2012)

Troy Rutkowski, Portland (WHL)

Stephen Silas, Belleville (OHL)

NCAA (August 15, 2012)

Paul Carey, Boston College (HE) -- signed a two-year entry level contract with Colorado (NHL) on 04/11/12

Kieran Millan, Boston University (HE)

Kent Patterson, Minnesota (WCHA) -- signed a two-year entry level contract with Colorado (NHL) on 05/09/12

Europe (June 1, 2012)

Sami Aittokallio, Ilves (SM-Liiga)

Dates in parenthesis are deadlines in which players must be signed or Colorado will lose their rights. Rights for players already drafted out of Europe vary depending on the country.

  

Other Signings/ Transactions

Expiring NHL Contracts (In the System/ Players Coming off ELC)

Patrick Bordeleau (UFA)

Evan Brophey (UFA)

Trevor Cann (RFA)

Zach Cohen (RFA)

Cedrick Desjardins (UFA)

Matt Duchene (RFA)

Jonas Holos (RFA)

David Liffiton (UFA)

Greg Mauldin (UFA)

Justin Mercier (UFA)

Ryan O'Reilly (RFA)

Jake Newton (RFA)

Mark Olver (RFA)

Danny Richmond (UFA)

Patrick Rissmiller (UFA)

Ryan Stoa (UFA)

David van der Gulik (UFA)

News and Notes

WHL Championship Series

After the first two games, the WHL Championship Series is tied at one game a piece between Portland and Edmonton. The winner will head to Shawinigan, Quebec for the 2012 Memorial Cup later this month. Troy Rutkowski has two assists so far in the series. Game three is set for Sunday evening in Portland. 

Not Quite Number One

The Ontario Hockey League announced the Red Tilson Trophy for the league's MVP earlier in the week and Sudbury's Michael Sgarbossa finished second in votes to London's goaltender Michael Houser. Sgarbossa led the league in scoring during the regular season with 47 goals and 55 assists.

Take Me to KC

The Colorado Avalanche typically conclude their preseason schedule in Las Vegas against the LA Kings in September. This year however, the Avs will face the New York Rangers in an exhibition game in Kansas City, MO. The game will be played at the Sprint Center in early October.

Most Valuable Gopher

Goalie Kent Patterson and forward Nick Bjugstad were named co-MVPs for the Gophers this past Friday. Patterson finished the 2011-12 season with a record of 28-14-1. He started every game for the Gophers this season and finished with a goals against average of 2.32 and save percentage of 0.907. He'll need to be signed by the Avalanche before August 15th or he'll become a free agent.

Thursday Scoreboard

WHL

Western Conference Championship Series -- Best-of-7 -- 3-0 Portland

Portland scores four times in the third period, upends Tri-City 4-1. The Winterhawks sweep the series and will face the Edmonton Oil Kings in the WHL Championship Series. The four goals for Portland were all even strength as the club came up empty handed on five power play chances. Troy Rutkowski was held without a point in the game. He ended up with three assists in the series for the Winterhawks. The series against the Oil Kings will start on Thursday in Edmonton.

Wednesday Scoreboard

WHL

Western Conference Championship Series -- Best-of-7 -- 2-0 Portland

Portland upends Tri-City 3-1; takes a commanding 3-0 lead in the series. The Winterhawks had a 47-39 shot advantage in the game and had 20 shots alone in the third period. Troy Rutkowski did not factor in the game offensively for Portland, but finished plus two for the game. Ty Rattie (17), the forgotten draft pick from the blockbuster trade between the Colorado Avalanche and St Louis Blues more than a year ago, was credited with the game winner.  Portland will have their first opportunity to close out the series on Thursday evening.