Jacobs, Smallman Bring Calder Cup Cred to Colorado

DENVER – Defenseman Josh Jacobs and forward Spencer Smallman both lifted the Calder Cup for the Chicago Wolves this past June.

Then, just a couple weeks after their AHL championship victory, the two decided to sign with another winning organization: the 2022 Stanley Cup Champion Colorado Avalanche.

Jacobs and Smallman signed two-way deals with the Avalanche this summer, the former signing a one-year contract while the latter inked a two-year pact. Fittingly, both agreements were announced on the same day – July 13. Even recently, after the second round of Avalanche Training Camp cuts on September 29, the two had to clear waivers before being assigned to the AHL’s Colorado Eagles.

A CUP, A BREAK, THEN BACK TO IT

If Jacobs and Smallman had some common ground with their new organization during training camp, it was the shared experience of a short offseason. As the Avalanche clinched its third Stanley Cup on June 26, the Wolves won its third Calder Cup the day prior. The two former Chicago skaters emphasized a quick break before jumping back into training for the 2022-23 season.

Jacobs: “As soon as we won in Chicago, I just got back home and took a nice week, week and a half off and just tried to get back in the gym. I took a little bit more of a break for hockey reasons, but I was just preparing to get out here. I just wanted to get my conditioning up, and that’s how my summer went.”

Smallman: “I think, first off, taking a week or two just to let your body kind of reset and get back to normal. (I) just stay off the ice for a couple weeks, and then honestly just get right back to work – get back into the gym and get the chance to lift weights, which you don’t really get to do down the stretch in the playoff run. You get some muscle back on, and then show up ready to do it all again.”

DIFFERENT ROADS TO CHICAGO…AND COLORADO

Jacobs was drafted by the New Jersey Devils in the second round (41st overall) of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. Aside from last year with the Wolves, Jacobs had been in the Devils’ developmental system since his minor pro debut in 2015. Aside from three games played with New Jersey, he played 247 AHL games between Albany and Binghamton, as well as one game with ECHL Adirondack — all within the Devils affiliation tree.

With all that time in the New Jersey system, it wasn’t just Smallman that Jacobs was familiar with when he signed with Colorado.

“I knew Jacob MacDonald from previous years (that) I played with him in Albany and Binghamton in the New Jersey organization,” Jacobs revealed. “We were actually roommates. That was one of the first calls that I made (after) signing.”

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Smallman, however, didn’t have an additional connection coming to Denver/Loveland, but he did have a tie-in to the Eagles organization. Back in 2017, Smallman was under contract with the Carolina Hurricanes. After a shoulder injury kept him out for the majority of the 2017-18 regular season, he made a late-season debut with the Florida Everblades as they pushed towards the Kelly Cup Playoffs. 

After three rounds of playoff success, who did the Everblades meet in the 2018 Kelly Cup Finals? None other than the Colorado Eagles in their last ECHL season of play. Smallman posted one goal and two assists for Florida in the Finals, with his one tally counting as the opening score in Game 7.

Even though the Everblades didn’t clinch the Kelly Cup, Smallman stayed within the Carolina organization from 2018-22, playing four seasons between AHL Charlotte and Chicago (two years each). Injuries have limited his time in both the AHL and the ECHL (130 AHL games and 25 ECHL contests), but Smallman’s 65 regular season and 18 postseason games played in 2021-22 is an encouraging sign for the Prince Edward Island native.

ADJUSTING AND FITTING IN

As an athlete new to the Mile High City, Jacobs found out the hard way that exercise at 5,280 feet elevation hits a lot different than training at around 600 feet in Chicago.

“I didn’t know altitude was actually like a big thing,” Jacobs confessed. “I was told to come out here like a week, week and a half early just to get used to the altitude, so the first couple skates were actually pretty tough.”

Meanwhile, after an adjustment of his own, Smallman was getting grouped with Colorado skaters Sampo Ranta and Shane Bowers during forward drills at camp. Considering the past injury history between both Ranta and Bowers, it seemed like a natural fit for him to slot in with these two returning Eagles. And, according to Smallman himself, that assessment wasn’t far off.

 “(The chemistry) is good,” declared Smallman. “I think everyday we’ve gotten better and more used to each other and kind of have a better idea of where we’re going to be out there…what impresses me so far is their work ethic. Sometimes when you’re in trouble and you cycle the puck, they’re on it hard, and I love that as a linemate.”

STARTING THE SEASON

The AHL side of Colorado’s training camp starts Monday, October 3. The Eagles will then begin the 2022-23 regular season campaign on the road against the Texas Stars (Fri. & Sat., Oct. 14 & 15, 6pm MT). Colorado then flies home to host the Calgary Wranglers. Since the Stockton Heat were relocated to Alberta as the Flames’ new AHL team, it will be the first ever match-up between these two squads.

The Eagles home opener against the Wranglers will take place on Friday, October 21 at 7:05pm MT.

Special thanks to Brennan Vogt for interviewing both Josh Jacobs and Spencer Smallman for this feature.