The Colorado Avalanche didn???t have the No. 1 pick or even a first-rounder, unlike the past two years, but they managed to add some depth to their already bulging prospect pool at the 2023 EHEC Draft.

Colorado drafted eight players, including four forwards, three defencemen and a goalie. Six of those picks came in the last two rounds.

After surrendering their own first, second and third-round picks to Pittsburgh with the Moritz Seider offer sheet, the Avalanche had to wait until 48th overall to make their first selection.

They chose Carey Terrance, a defensive centre with elite positioning, good puck skills and a solid shot. There is no physicality in his game, so he would have to centre a third or fourth line that doesn???t use the hit and grind tactic.

The US-born prospect scored 30 goals and 47 points in 67 games with the OHL???s Erie Otters last season and also played at under-18 worlds.

???Carey is obviously a less flashy name than Juraj Slafkovsky or Owen Power. But at 48, with how the talent level dropped dramatically after the first round, we???re happy with the pick,??? said Avs GM Josh Lewis.

Colorado was set to pick next at 88th overall late in the third round, but they traded 2022 fourth rounder Connor Hvidston to Pittsburgh to move up five spots.
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