I cannot think of one person who is not excited about Sean Behrens turning pro. After being drafted 61st overall by the Colorado Avalanche, Behrens played three seasons with the University of Denver. There, Behrens would earn two national championships and the title of best defensive defenseman last season. The quick skater saw two games with the Colorado Eagles last season and managed an assist. The big question is… can Behrens make the jump from the NCAA to the NHL?
Sean Behrens (#GoAvsGo) with a thunderous open-ice hit on Macklin Celebrini pic.twitter.com/8MMFekaXQG
— J.D. Burke (@JDylanBurke) April 11, 2024
Avalanche defensive depth
The Avalanche are going to be deep in the defensive position this season. The offseason signings of Jacob MacDonald, Calvin de Haan, Oliver Kylington, Calle Rosén and Erik Brännström definitely helped with that. Not to mention, Behrens was going to be in competition for the last spot if none of these signings happened with Sam Malinski. The former Cornell captain may have had the upper hand simply in the one year of experience that he has in the NHL (23 games with the Avalanche).
AND THE PIOS CONNECT!
Tic-Tac-Goal by Sean Behrens to give DU a 3-0 advantage.#GoPios pic.twitter.com/HWdc7Lj8qN
— Denver Hockey (@DU_Hockey) March 3, 2024
Adjusting to the professional season
One thing is for sure, the professional season is far different from the college season. To start, players play about twice as many games (40–45 games compared to 70–80). Playing every other night compared to twice a week can take a toll on your body. Especially someone as small as Behrens’ size (5’ 10″ and 176 lbs). Samuel Girard, who is roughly the same size, has said that he will lose up to 20 pounds in one season, making him even smaller. Behrens will have to figure out how to maintain his weight and keep it on for the entire 76-82 game season.
Sean Behrens with the assist on the OT winner for DU! #GoAvsGo #GoPios pic.twitter.com/z6uwvXHz8f
— Mile High Hockey (@MileHighHockey) April 12, 2024
Gaining experience
With a three-year entry-level contract, Behrens will have time to gain experience in the AHL and make the change. Peter McNab always said that it took about 200–300 games to really start getting the defensive game at the pro level. With three years of NCAA hockey under his belt, the hope is that Behrens will need less than that.
As discussed on @fanhockeylife, Sean Behrens is one of the most unheralded pieces of the stacked University of Denver Pioneers. He has 23 points in 30 games. The Avs have themselves another solid defender. pic.twitter.com/uPrYeT8FAn
— Fantasy Hockey Doctor – Victor Nuño (@VictorNuno12) February 19, 2024
Conclusion
With such a deep defensive core and time to develop him, there is no need to rush Behrens. The one year at the AHL level will only do good for him. His style suits the Avalanche and he dropped into the Eagles with no problem. Watching him play those two games with the Eagles, he adjusted quickly, but Behrens admitted that the speed of the AHL was a shock at first. Hopefully, the Avalanche won’t get desperate enough that they have to go that deep in the defensive prospect pool. Behrens should play to impress, but without the worry of trying to make the NHL roster this season. Behrens should take this coming season as a learning experience and bulk up his body as well as add to his already massive skill set.