What a difference a year has made for Sean Behrens.
This time last October, Behrens was a standout defenseman at the University of Denver returning for his junior season. It went as well as a college hockey season can go.
The 21-year-old Behrens, playing most of the season on the top pair with Pioneers star Zeev Buium, helped the Pioneers win their second NCAA championship in Behrens' three seasons.
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After the season, it was time for Behrens to begin a new challenge.
The Illinois native chose to forgo his senior year to sign an entry-level contract with the Avalanche and start his pro career. Life is much different now. He's gone from being a big man on campus to a professional rookie learning the ropes at his first NHL training camp.
It’s a bit like starting over again, but he’s getting the hang of it.
“I’ve come a long way from the start of camp,” Behrens told The Denver Gazette ahead of Colorado's 6-1 preseason loss to the Vegas Golden Knights Tuesday at Ball Arena.
“I agree with that,” Avalanche coach Jared Bednar added.
Behrens got a taste of pro hockey at the end of last season, dressing in two games for the Colorado Eagles before their season came to an end. Expectations were high for Behrens during September's Rookie Faceoff. He was the most talented defenseman the Avalanche put on their roster. That tournament went just “OK” for Behrens, Bednar said. A clear-cut sign of a smart player is the ability to adjust quickly, and Behrens has done that.
“I think he’s a smart player and understands the structure that we want to play with,” Bednar said. “All aspects of his game away from the puck have improved through the course of training camp, and he’s gotten better and better in the games that he’s played.”
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That’s why Behrens was rewarded with a third preseason game Tuesday night. Although he was sent to the Colorado Eagles after the game, making a good impression this time of the year helps a player’s chance of getting called up later in the season if an injury occurs.
Things must be going OK if the coaching staff is willing to give you a look on a pair with NHL superstar Cale Makar. That’s where Behrens found himself Tuesday night.
“When you get a chance to play with a guy of that caliber, it’s really exciting,” Behrens said.
Although he’s no longer at DU and preoccupied with training camp, he’ll keep tabs on the Pioneers when they open their season Saturday and Sunday in Alaska against Alaska Anchorage.
“I’ll be following closely, probably go to games whenever I can,” he said. “Excited for those guys to get another chance at a national championship.”
Golden Knights 6, Avalanche 1
What happened: The Avalanche scored early on the power play, but their defensive zone coverage most of the night was ugly. Not even a few stars being dressed could save them as the Avs fell to 0-4 in the preseason.
What went right: Nikolai Kovalenko was given a look on the top line next to Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen and was probably the most noticeable player on the ice. He drew three penalties, hit a crossbar, and was effective on the forecheck. A performance like that could lock up a roster spot for Kovalenko.
What went wrong: Hard to pick one, but penalties have been an issue through four preseason games. The Avalanche have spent a lot of time in the box, and that didn’t stop Tuesday. Jared Bednar is getting a good look at who will able to kill penalties this season.
Between the pipes: Alexandar Georgiev played his first full game of the preseason, stopping only 33 of the 39 shots.
What’s next: The Avalanche travel to Las Vegas to play the Golden Knights for another preseason game at 8 p.m. Thursday.
