Avalanche Prospect Report: Curran, Nabokov, Humphreys & More

William Dufour joined the Eagles in late March. In eight games, he scored one goal and three assists, for a total of four points. He debuted on March 16 against the San Diego Gulls and recorded his first point, an assist on Jayson Megna’s game-tying goal in the first period. He added a multipoint night against the Tucson Roadrunners on March 23, finishing with two assists, one being the game-winning assist.

Trent Miner had a much stronger month than in February. After finishing February with a solid record of 3-1-0, he completed March with a record of 7-2-1. He only finished a game with a save percentage (SV%) under .900 twice: his overtime loss against the Bakersfield Condors on March 5 and his regulation loss against the Condors on March 18. He also added a shutout on March 1 against the Ontario Reign, stopping all 26 shots he faced, notching his second shutout of the season.

The Eagles have seven games remaining and have already clinched a playoff spot. They are five points ahead of the other teams in the Pacific Division and now look to clinch the division.

National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)

Taylor Makar did not finish his freshman year with the University of Maine as he had hoped he would. He ended the season with 18 goals and 12 assists for 30 points. He helped Maine become the third-ranked team in the NCAA, bringing them to the 2025 D1 Men’s Ice Hockey Championship. Unfortunately, they lost to Penn State 5-1 in the first round, ending their season. To help raise his emotions, he signed his entry-level contract and will play for the Eagles this season and next. The 23-year-old made significant leaps and bounds in his game, and hopefully, with the Eagles, he can take another step to potentially join his brother with the Avalanche someday.

In March, Jake Fischer had one goal and one assist for two points. His assist came against Colorado College on March 15, and his goal against Western Michigan on March 22. Denver University is headed to the Frozen Four after beating Providence 5-1 in Round 1 and Boston College 3-1 in the Elite Eight. With eight goals and seven assists for 15 points on the season, Fischer will look to help the University of Denver secure their 11th NCAA Championship and go back-to-back.

Continuing with the University of Denver, Tory Pitner has been a key defensive contributor to his team’s overall performance. Although he recorded only one point this season, his dedication to defensive fundamentals is clear in every game. His outstanding positioning, well-timed pokes, physical presence, and creative tie-ups make him a formidable and effective defender. He’s only taken five penalties, and while more production would be nice, a strong right-hand shooting defenseman who can help shut down their opponent is always nice to have.

The Avalanche have signed two NCAA free agents: Cooper Gay, a right wing from the University of St. Thomas, and Isak Posch, a goaltender from St. Cloud State University. Both have finished their time in the NCAA and will join the Eagles for the remainder of the season. In the next Prospect Report, they will be listed under the Eagles. Get to know more about the recent additions here.

Canadian Hockey League

Ontario Hockey League (OHL), Western Hockey League (WHL)

Max Curran finished his last month of the Western Hockey League (WHL) regular season with three goals and nine assists for 12 points, including two power-play goals. That brings his 2024-25 season total to 22 goals and 52 assists for 74 points; he led the Tri-City Americans in assists, points and was third in goals. He helped lead the Americans to a 33-29-6-1 record, leading them to the playoffs. They are facing the Victoria Royals in the first round but are currently down 3-1, as they won Game 4 6-4 to avoid the sweep. Curran has one goal and two assists for three points in four games.

Saige Weinstein finished his final month of the WHL regular season with two assists. He ended the 2024-25 season with three goals and 27 assists for 30 points, setting a career high in assists and points. The alternate captain helped the Spokane Chiefs finish with a record of 45-20-1-2 and make it to the playoffs. They are now facing the Vancouver Giants and have taken a 3-1 lead in the series.

Christian Humphreys finishes his final month of the season with four goals and two assists for six points, including a power-play goal. He ended his short season with the Rangers with 11 goals and 22 assists for 33 points in 28 games played. He joined the Rangers mid-way through the season and helped them finish with a 47-15-4-2 record. They are now facing the Flint Firebirds in the first round of the playoffs and are up 3-1 in the series. He has five points in the four games against the Firebirds, all being assists.

Russian Leagues

Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), VHL

Zahkar Bardakov played only four games in March and was pointless. He finished his final season with 17 goals and 18 assists for 35 points in 53 games. He helped SKA Saint Petersburg to a 28-7-3-2-4 record, earning a playoff spot. They are up 3-1 in the playoffs against Dinamo Minsk. He scored one goal and one assist for two points in those four games.

Mikhail Gulyayev finished the season’s final month with one goal in nine games and the 2024-25 season with seven goals and eight assists in 67 games. He helped Avangard Omsk finish with a 31-7-3-2-3 record, leading them to the playoffs. They are facing Metallurg Mg in the first round, and are down 3-2 in the series. Gulyayev has one assist in the five games.

Ilya Nabokov played in seven games in March, starting six of them. He finished with a record of 2-2-2. He finishes the 2024-25 season with a record of 23-17-6, a .923 save percentage, and a 2.22 goals-against average. He is tied for the most games played in the KHL with 49. Among all qualified goaltenders in the league, Nabokov finished 11th in GAA and 14th in SV%. He helped Metallurg Mg finish with a 30-7-6-2-2 record and get into the playoffs. Nabokov is facing Gulyayev in the first round and is up 3-2 in the series. He started in four out of the five games and has a record of 2-2 with a .931 SV% and a 1.90 GAA.

Other American Leagues

United States Hockey League (USHL), ECHL

Finishing his final season with the Chicago Steel before he plays with Northeastern next season, Louka Cloutier ended his month with a record of 2-4-0. He finished the season with a record of 7-17-2, with a .876 SV% and a 4.21 GAA. The Steel were not very good this season, finishing with a record of 19-33-5-1, which saw a decrease in his production, who came off a solid season of 14-14-2-3 with a .904 SV% and 3.68 GAA.

The 2024-25 season is ending, with the NHL wrapping up its final games and many minor leagues either finishing their last matches or entering the playoffs. The Avalanche still have some promising talent in their system that, if developed properly, can significantly contribute in the future. However, for now, the team is focused on a win-now approach.