As the 24th pick for the Colorado Avalanche drew near, the anticipation escalated. Reports were floating around the draft floor that General Manager Chris MacFarland was on the phone and meeting with other teams. That team specifically was the Utah Hockey Club. Colorado would trade their first-round pick away, but gaining so much more. In return, they would get the 38th and 71st this year and a second-round pick next year. Here are all the players that the Avalanche drafted in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft and a breakdown of them.
Ilya Nabokov, Goaltender (38th overall)
The first pick of the 2024 draft for the Avalanche was goaltender Ilya Naboko from Metallurg Magnitogorsk in the KHL. He is ranked number two on the international goalie list and posted a 23–13–3 record as a rookie with a .930 save percentage. To add to that, Nabokov had a 16–6 record in the playoffs with a .942 save percentage. The youngest player to do so, he won the Gagarin Cup and secure the playoff MVP. He has a two-way contract that will end in April 2025, meaning that he could fill the gap left by Trent Miner. He is confident and explosive in the crease to take away angles.
William Zellers, Left Wing (76th overall)
William Zellers, who attended Shattuck St. Mary’s Prep in Minnesota, led all U.S. high school hockey league in goals and points this last season (57–54–111). The University of North Dakota commit plays a fast and physical game and will head to the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL first. Zellers will get in on the forecheck quickly. Even when he is in tight quarters, he can get a shot off, making him a constant scoring threat. Zellers plays a great two-way game, making him effective in both the power play and the penalty kill.
Jake Fisher, Center (121st overall)
Jake Fisher, who will attend the University of Denver next season, is a forward that overpowers his opponents in puck battles. A skater with speed down the middle, he can also rip the one-timers with ease. While playing with the Fargo Force last season, Fisher tallied 47 points (23–24) in 51 games. The centerman would help lead the Force to the Clark Cup championship and secure the win as well.
“I chose the University of Denver because the hockey team has a history of winning championships and developing NHL players,” Fisher said. “The coaches have treated me great, and I have a high level of trust in them that they will put me in the right position to succeed. The schooling as well is a high level, and I love the campus and location in the city.”
🦢+🐟=🚨
Jake Fisher cashes in on a gross pass from Mac Swanson and the Force take a 3-1 lead! pic.twitter.com/jDXmiXUnJ4
— xy – Fargo Force (@FargoForce) April 25, 2024
Louka Cloutier, Goaltender (132nd overall)
Louka Cloutier will attend the University of Nebraska- Omaha next season after spending the year with the Chicago Steel. Cloutier broke out after taking over the starting role for the Steel, posting a 14–14–2 record with a .904 save percentage. He is calm and collected in the net, but not a game breaker. Cloutier has a ton of potential and the NCHC will help him develop his game. He will play against the best talent in the NCAA, but fans will need to be patient as he develops his game.
The deficit is only two after a period thanks to stops like this from Louka Cloutier 😅#FeelSteel pic.twitter.com/N8pfwZyVex
— Chicago Steel (@ChicagoSteel) April 7, 2024
Ivan Yunin, Goaltender (137th overall)
Ivan Yunin is an 18-year-old goaltender playing in Russia’s MHL (equivalent to juniors in North America). Yunin is an athletic goalie that plays with a wide stance and can move effortlessly around the crease. Playing his second season for the Omskie Yastreby, Yunin put forth a 2.31 goals allowed average and .909 save percentage. The six foot two-inch youngster can react quickly to changes in the play and make improbable saves.
Maxmilian Curran, Center (161st overall)
Maxmilian Curran, also known as Max, is a strong two-way forward with a high hockey IQ. He needs some work on his skating, but makes up for it with his vision and pass-first mentality. Curran missed the last half of the season because of injury, but was hitting his stride before that. He is a center who can control the play in every zone, playing a smart positional game. Curran’s main deficiency in his game is a lack of grit. Playing with the Tri-City Americans for 40 games, he racked up 32 points (5–27).
Tory Pitner, Defense (185th overall)
Tory Pitner is another player committed to the University of Denver. He will actually be roommates with Jake Fisher this year. Pitner is a stay-at-home defenseman that likened himself to John Marino and Jeff Petry. Pitner is not the biggest kid at 180 pounds, but he can outbox his opponents and dig hard in the corners. He has a very active stick and can take space away from the attackers.
“I chose to attend the University of Denver because of the blend of elite athletics and academics,” Pitner said. “The coaching staff with the hockey program is second to none, and their ability to develop NHL players is something that I really valued and was another reason I chose to attend the university.”
Christian Humphreys, Center (215th overall)
Christian Humphreys will attend the University of Michigan this fall after spending the last two seasons in the U.S. National Development Program. With the USHL team, Humphreys tallied 24 points in just 23 games (7–17). He is a well-rounded forward with strong secondary scoring capabilities. Humphreys is strong on the forecheck and plays well through all three zones. He will need to work on his skating, but the NCHC will force him to get better at that. The Pittsburgh native possesses a strong work-ethic that will help him grow as a player.
Nikita Prishchepov, Center (217th overall)
Nikita Prishchepov is a big center that has great vision that can lead on a pass rather than throw the puck into the feet. He has splendid vision and is patient with the puck. Prishchepov spent the last season with the Victoriaville Tigres of the QMJHL. He collected 67 points (22–45) in 64 games, finishing fourth on the team in scoring.
Nikita Prishchepov conclut la passe de Maxime Pellerin et les @TigresVicto mènent 2-1 dans le #MDSLCH !
Nifty hands from Pellerin as he finds Prishchepov! 👀 #CHLGOTW pic.twitter.com/tOpSfjr1Aq
— Canadian Hockey League (@CHLHockey) October 20, 2023
Conclusion
The Avalanche had a need in the crease, and they filled it today with three goaltenders. Colorado may not see a few of them for a couple of years, but goalies may take years to get to the NHL. Trent Miner, who just signed a new contract, has been in the system for three years and never seen the NHL. Colorado added three players that will see development out of the organization in the NCHC. The Avalanche turned two picks into five with trades and did it without giving up a current man on the roster. It was a successful draft for the Avalanche. The only thing I would have done differently is I would have taken more defense.