The Avalanche's five-day development camp ended Saturday following physical and medical tests, power skating instruction from
Tracy Tutton, other on-ice drills, off-ice workouts and lessons in nutrition, all for the purpose of helping the prospects become better pros.
Now it's up to the players to take the lessons they learned to heart when they go their separate ways to continue training for the upcoming season, whether it's to compete at Avalanche camp in the fall, or for a junior or university team.
Saturday's session at the team practice facility included 90-minutes of on-ice instruction followed by a 3-on-3 mini-tournament, a skills competition and shootout. Camp concluded with an incline climbing excursion, no easy task with 90-degree temperatures combined with the mile-high altitude.
"It was a good experience," 2016 first-round pick
Tyson Jost said of the week before heading out for the team climb. "It was a great week, I had a lot of fun and I learned lots. It's something I wanted to do, learn a lot and see how you can become a pro as fast as you can."
The 18-year-old center will leave for home Sunday and continue to train there before heading for Canada's World Junior camp. After that, he'll begin his freshman year at the University of North Dakota.
"It seems (the busy schedule) never stops, but I'm not going to complain," Jost said. "It's what I love to do. It's part of my life and something I'm really happy about."
I've written
NHL.com stories from the development camp on
Tyson Jost, J.T. Compher and
A.J. Greer. So far, only the
JOST STORY has been posted on the site.
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I spoke with
Josh Anderson, the Avalanche's 2016 third-round pick (No. 71), on Saturday. The 6-feet-2, 212-pound defenseman wasn't permitted to take part in most drills because he's still recovering from a spinal injury -- no surgery was needed -- that he sustained in January. He did score a goal in a breakaway drill Saturday.
"I just got cleared a couple weeks ago," he said. "It's been tough not being able to do really anything, but getting back on the ice and playing with these guys has been great. Right now I'm at a stage where I'm getting back out there and skating and working out with no contact."
Anderson played in 39 games for Prince George in the Western Hockey League, where he had one goal, five assists and 86 penalty minutes.
"I went to go make a check and the kid turned on me," he said. "I fell head-first into the boards and hyper-extended my spine. It was pretty scary. I watched a video of it and it was pretty bad. I should be cleared for contact by the first week in August. I can't wait to play a regular game.
"This week was great, I learned a lot. There were some drills I wasn't able to do because of my injury, so it set me back. It was a little disappointing, but at the end of the day I came here and learned a lot."
Anderson said he isn't concerned about getting hurt again and will continue to play a physical game.
"I'm a defensive defenseman, I do what I can in our D-zone before moving the puck up," he said. "I'm a hard-nosed physical guy, not afraid to mix it up. I've played this way the last couple years in the Western League and I enjoy the way I play and what it brings to our team. I'll keep playing that way."
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Left wing
A.J. Greer, a 2015 second-round pick (No. 39), will remain in Colorado for the rest of the month to train and work out at the Avalanche facilities before heading to Toronto to work with skating specialist
Tracy Tutton.
Greer has signed a three-year, entry-level contract and will attend training camp in September.
"I want to work on my skating for sure, my edges," said the 6-3, 204-pound Greer, who had 16 goals and 11 assists in 33 games with Rouyn-Noranda in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League after leaving Boston University halfway through his sophomore year.
He had 12 goals and 10 assists in 20 playoff games for the Huskies, who won the President's Cup as QMJHL champions and advanced to the Memorial Cup final.
"I want to make a big impact wherever I play," Greer said. "I have offensive ability, but I'm a two-way forward. I work hard in the defensive zone and in the offensive zone. I'm a big body, I work hard down low. I win battles because I'm a good competitor. I don't think anyone works harder than I do."
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Left wing
Cam Morrison, the Avalanche's 2016 second-round selection (No. 40), left camp after Tuesday's medical and physical testing because he's already enrolled as a Notre Dame freshman and is attending classes.
It was the same for defenseman
Griffin Luce, a camp invitee. Luce, who played for the U.S. National Under-18 team, is enrolled at the University of Michigan. His grandfather is former NHL forward
Don Luce, his dad is Florida Panthers director of player personnel
Scott Luce.
Colorado Avalanche Blogger •Avalanche Insider • 
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