News & Notes from 2022 Avalanche Development Camp

It was a quick turnaround for the Colorado Avalanche this year between the Stanley Cup Final and the beginning of the 2022-23 NHL calendar year.

With the Final ending on June 26 and the 2022 NHL Entry Draft only 11 days later, development camp came rushing in the following week. The Avalanche invited 26 skaters and three goalies to camp, with 11 of those being draft picks or American Hockey League players.

There were a few standouts among the skaters that were in attendance.

BEN MEYERS

Centerman Ben Meyers looked like a man among boys at camp with 102 games played at the University of Minnesota and five games with the Avalanche last year. Meyers was an undrafted free agent until after the 2022 NCAA Frozen Four in April when he was signed on an NHL deal by Colorado. He then joined the Avalanche, making his pro debut on April 16, 2022 against the Carolina Hurricanes, scoring his first and only goal of the year in that game.

Being that he was the only player from the NHL roster last year, Meyers showed up to development camp with high expectations from fans, and he did not disappoint. In physical drills, he was a big bodied player, pushing his defender off with ease. He has a snap shot that makes defensemen hesitant to get in the way of his shot, and his edgework is magnificent, leaving most skaters in the dust during drills.

DANIL ZHURAVLYOV

Defenseman Danil Zhuravlyov was drafted by the Colorado Avalanche in the fifth round (146th overall) of the 2018 NHL Entry draft after playing several seasons with Irbis Kazan of the Junior Hockey League (Russia) and Bars Kazan of the Supreme Hockey League (Russia). These leagues are both developmental to the Kontinental Hockey League of Russia, which he has played in the last three seasons with AK Bars Kazan.

According to his scouting reports, Zhuravlyov doesn’t play flashy; he does his part and can jump into the offensive side of the game. He won’t be the type of player the likes of Cale Makar, Samuel Girard, or Bowen Byram with the spins and heavy hits. While at development camp, he didn’t stand out too much, but just enough that I noticed he was very hesitant on edge work drills. This could become an issue in high danger maneuvers where he won’t be able to hold his ground or even try to do the move at all. I did notice that once he gets in the open, he does have quite a wrist shot that he can get off quickly.

Danilia Zhuravlyov is little hesitant on his edge work. Showing he may not be as confident on fast maneuvering in corners. #GoAvsGo #EaglesCountry pic.twitter.com/EyneoaylbY

— Avalanche Territory (Brennan Vogt) (@AvsTerritory) July 13, 2022

BEN TARDIF

This year, left winger Ben Tardif was the only player that reported to development camp under AHL contract. He spent the majority of last season with the ECHL’s Utah Grizzlies, playing 53 games with the club and averaging more than a point per game. While with Utah, Tardif managed 59 points in the regular season (20 goals and 39 assists) while going completely nuts in the playoffs, netting 30 points (5 goals and 25 assists) in just 18 postseason games. Tardif was also promoted to play in 15 games with the AHL’s Colorado Eagles last season.

Tardif has speed and showed it during camp drills. His crossover allows him to gain speed quickly in turns so he can in turn get up the ice fast. During the passing drills, he had a quick stick and was able to keep his head up, allowing him to look for the open man easily. I think we could see Tardif crack the Eagles lineup and at the very least find a place there in the bottom six this season.

Ben Tardif in this drill shows that he has some great acceleration in turns while doing crossovers. #GoAvsGo #EaglesCountry pic.twitter.com/28Y3Q21Gty

— Avalanche Territory (Brennan Vogt) (@AvsTerritory) July 14, 2022

CONCLUSION

There was a lot of young talent at development camp this year, half of which were extended invitations without being under contract or drafted by the Avs. Meyers is a sure thing for the NHL roster. The rest, however, have uncertain futures in regards to making a professional roster. The fact that they are here at camp and putting in the work shows they want to improve on their skills. Some of these names we may never see again, but I guarantee we will see much more of the three showcased skaters later on down the road.

Editor’s Note: Brennan Vogt is a guest columnist for Full Press Hockey. He is currently the social media manager for Eurolanche, a European-based Avalanche fan group. Brennan has also published Colorado Avalanche articles through Denver Nose Bleeds.