Today the Colorado Avalanche announced that forward Ivan Ivan has agreed to a two-year entry-level contract with the team. Starting from 2024 to 25, the contract runs until 2025-26. Currently, Ivan is playing with the Avalanche’s AHL affiliate, the Colorado Eagles, in Loveland, Colorado. He had signed a one-year AHL contract on August 7th of last year, right before training camps had begun.
The Eagles have signed forward Ivan Ivan to an AHL contract. He played with the Cape Breton Eagles of the QMJHL and had 90 points in just 64 games. #Avs #GoAvsGo #EaglesCountry @TheRinkColorado pic.twitter.com/Zq2XXsGqCp
— Brennan Vogt (@brennan_vogt) August 7, 2023
The #GoavsGo signed 21 y/o UFA F Ivan Ivan to 2 year Entry Level deal starting next season.
Salary 775K
Signing Bonus 70K
Minors 82.5KCap Hit/AAV 845K
Rep'd by @walsha @OctagonHockey https://t.co/x2zmgWzxXq
— PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) March 5, 2024
Ivan’s performance has impressed the Eagles this season. He has played in multiple roles even as a rookie. The forward has been playing on the power play and on the top line. His stickwork impressed people, as he enjoys attacking the middle of the offensive zone.
Ivan Ivan snaps his 1st pro goal AND on the PP with an assist from a returning Cedric Pare! #Avs #GoAvsGo #EaglesCountry @TheRinkColorado pic.twitter.com/TrIWgnOjXh
— Brennan Vogt (@brennan_vogt) November 8, 2023
Ivan has taken pride in his footwork and his speed, telling us that “I work on that after practice with extra drills.” His speed has helped him gain his 12 goals and 15 assists in the 51 games played for the Eagles this season. Ivan is on a roster full of competition for their starting roles and he has only sat out three games.
Even for a rookie, Ivan has remained very disciplined on a team that has had penalty problems. In 51 games, he has only 20 minutes in the box and rarely puts the Eagles in a compromising situation. The only time the Czech has had more than one penalty was this last Sunday when they lost to Calgary.
Alex Beaucage gets his first goal of the year with a gorgeous feed from Ivan Ivan and Oskar Olausson #Avs #GoAvsGo #EaglesCountry @TheRinkColorado pic.twitter.com/0ACpbLeyZB
— Brennan Vogt (@brennan_vogt) November 9, 2023
Ivan has a history of throwing points on the board. While playing for the Cape Breton Eagles in the QMJHL, he had 177 points in 191 games. But he reached worldwide fame with his unique name in this last year’s World Juniors. Commentators could not understand that there was a player with the same first and last name. “I get teased for it sometimes,” Ivan said. “But it is just a name, right?”
Ivan Ivan, now that he is locked down in the organization, will be a solid addition to both the Avalanche and Eagles for the next two seasons.
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Updated: 3/5/2024 2:48PM MT