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Bigras looks to fill open 'D' spot |
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Rick Sadowski
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There are definitely going to be some openings on the Avalanche defense this season, and Chris Bigras is hoping to fill one of those spots.
Bigras, 22, was one of 28 players at rookie camp Friday who will play in a round-robin tournament in San Jose that begins Saturday against rookies from the Sharks, Anaheim Ducks and Arizona Coyotes.
Colorado's second-round pick (No. 32) in the 2013 NHL draft, Bigras is starting what will be his third full season as a pro following four years with Owen Sound of the OHL.
It's been an up-and-down experience for Bigras, who played in 31 Avalanche games two years ago and last season was limited to 45 games with AHL San Antonio because of a concussion.
"I had some injury issues more than anything last year," said Bigras, who had 19 points (five goals, 14 assists) and 37 penalty minutes with the Rampage. "It was a little bit of a setback for me, but I worked hard this summer to get stronger so that kind of translates on the ice. I'm ready to go now."
Bigras, who is listed at 6-feet-1 and 190 pounds, looks stronger after doing plenty of work in the gym.
"It's definitely a different game coming from juniors," he said. "Guys are bigger, guys are faster, stronger. I think this being the second year with familiar systems is going to help. As far as development wise, I have put on some good muscle mass coming from the first couple years that I've been here to now, so hopefully the summer that I had pays off on the ice."
Bigras skated with a variety of defense partners Friday, including Andrei Mironov, who signed a two-year, entry-level contract in May after spending five seasons with Dynamo Moscow of the KHL.
"I'm still trying to figure out stuff here, first day on the ice with this group of guys," Bigras said. "I had a few partners here and it's good to get to know the new faces coming in and to play hockey with them.
"It's exciting. I'm looking forward to this year and this camp and coming in to compete again and play hockey. I worked hard for it this summer and I'm excited to see how I compare out there in game situations going into this tournament that we have in San Jose."
Bigras, Mironov, 23, and Anton Lindholm, 22, were named by general manager Joe Sakic earlier this summer as young defensemen who will be given long looks in camp -- the veterans report Thursday -- with good chances to make the opening night roster.
"I'm just trying to worry about my game, putting my best foot forward out there," Bigras said. "Hopefully it happens in my favor and I get to start the season here. That's obviously my goal coming into camp, but I'm not worrying about it.
"It's nice to get that praise, but at the same time you have to earn a spot regardless of who you are. That's my goal, I'm going to try to earn a spot on the team at the highest level. I can't automatically assume (anything), I'm coming in to work and earn a spot."
Bigras does believe having some NHL experience should be helpful in that regard.
"Knowing what the lifestyle is like and the pace of play," he said. "I know that having some familiarity with it is always beneficial. I can be a little more comfortable out there and hopefully use that to build some confidence here in the preseason coming into the season."
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The Avalanche rookies will play the Sharks on Saturday, Coyotes on Monday and Ducks on Tuesday. Games will be held at Solar4America Ice.
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Nathan MacKinnon joined the veterans on the ice for the first time Friday. He was in New York for the NHL media tour earlier in the week.
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