News for the Colorado Avalanche has been few and far between. So when the fans get any in early June, it is always exciting. Earlier this morning, the Avalanche released their preseason schedule and there are a few things that we can take away from it. Colorado will play their usual six games, but the opponents catch the eye. Some would say that the preseason does not mean much, but for some players it can make or break a career. For someone like myself, it is another chance to see prospects fighting for roster spots. Here I will break down what the preseason schedule tells us.
It'll be here before you know it.
📆: https://t.co/IfPhOsfZv2#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/rmN6b17asj
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) June 20, 2024
The opponents
Colorado will play two games against each opponent, one at home and one on the road. They will take on the Dallas Stars, Vegas Golden Knights and the new Utah Hockey Club. Do not expect to see a lot of the big name talent in these games, mostly the AHL players getting some extra looks. The Dallas games will be a matchup of mostly Texas Stars and Colorado Eagles. They split the series last season 2–2.
The Vegas Golden Knights will be in a similar situation with a bit of spice thrown in. The Eagles and the Henderson Silver Knights met eight times last year with the Eagles coming out on top 6–1–1.
Here is where it gets exciting. Colorado will play the new Utah Hockey Club twice this preseason. The road game will not take place at the Delta Center, the home of the new club. Instead, the Maverik Center will host the game. The Maverik Center is home of the ECHL Utah Grizzlies and they are the Avalanche’s affiliate.
Training camp start date
Whenever the preseason schedule gets released, it provides us a good sign of when training camp starts. The Avalanche typically hold their training camp at the Family Sports Center in Centennial, Colorado, where they practice. Based on previous years and the start of preseason, I guess that training camp will start around September 20th.
Conclusion
The waiting this time of the year has to be the worst. But other than the Draft next week and Free Agency, we have something to look forward to. We can slowly fill in our calendars for the start of the season. We can set watches for the announcement of the regular season schedule, usually later this month or in July. Either way, the preseason will be an exciting one to watch with the new club and city in the mix but also while in “home territory”.