It was an eventful Memorial Cup for Colorado Avalanche prospect Christian Humphreys. First, outrage occurred when he was involved in a controversial play in the round-robin portion as the video shows Humphreys receiving three stomps in the ankle region. Eventually it was determined that the play was against the rules and Chicoutimi defenseman Jordan Tourigny was suspended the rest of the tournament.
While he was questionable to return to the tournament, Kitchener advancing straight to the finals gave Humphreys ample time to return. In the end, Humphreys had his storybook ending as Kitchener dominated their final match defeating Everett 6-2 with the Colorado Avalanche prospect netting the empty net goal to arrive at the final score. Overall he scored two goals and added an assist over the four games Kitchener participated in.
It wasn’t the Russian signing we expected the Colorado Avalanche to make but there was indeed a new prospect ELC executed on June 1st coinciding with the KHL new league year opening. The two-year deal for undrafted goaltender Nikita Novosyolov begins next season. No word on how the Avalanche plan to sort their crowded goaltending room with Trent Miner and Isak Posh under contract to return and the addition of Ilya Nabokov along with Novosyolov.
With a strong season in the VHL it is understandable what made Novosyolov an intriguing prospect to sign. He posted a 22-10-8 record with a .932 save percentage and a 2.10 GAA for Gornyak-UGMK. The Russian native just turned 22-years-old and has a bit of size listed at 6-foot-2. It will be interesting to see if he makes an appearance in Colorado for any rookie events upcoming.
One anticipated signing didn’t come to fruition as defenseman and former 2023 first round pick Mikhail Gulyayev has elected to remain in Russia as he signed a two-year extension with Avangard. The next time to try and lure him to Colorado will be when he’s 23-years old and perhaps he’s hoping for an Alexander Nikishin type jump straight to the NHL at that time.
