Avalanche training camp doesn’t officially begin until Thursday, Sept. 13, but 29 rookies will practice Friday at 9:30 a.m. MT at the team’s practice facility in Centennial, Colo., before leaving for Las Vegas and a round-robin tournament.
2018 first-round draft pick Martin Kaut and Vladislav Kamenev, who was acquired in the Matt Duchene trade, will be among 17 forwards. 2017 second-round pick Conor Timmins leads a group of 10 defensemen. The goalies are Justus Annunen (third round, 2018) and Petr Kvaca (fourth round, 2017).
Timmins didn’t take part in on-ice drills at development camp in June because he was recovering from a concussion and an ankle injury. He might be able to compete for a place on the Oct. 4 regular-season opener against Minnesota, but the Avalanche look as deep on defense as they’ve been in several years.
Kamenev has a good chance to crack the roster, but Kaut is expected to begin the season with the Colorado Eagles, the Avalanche’s new AHL affiliate.
Cale Makar, Shane Bowers, Cameron Morrison and Denis Smirnov, among other collegians, are at their respective schools.
The rookies will play Vegas on Saturday at 7 p.m. PT; Anaheim on Sunday at 5 p.m. PT; practice on Monday at 10:30 a.m. PT; and play San Jose on Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. PT.
The Avalanche will open a six-game preseason schedule on Tuesday, Sept. 18, against Vegas at the Pepsi Center.
*****
The Avalanche will host an inaugural Fan Fest from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. MT on Saturday, Sept. 29, at the Pepsi Center. Attendance is free, as is parking.
The event will be an interactive experience to provide fans with a behind-the-scenes look at a team practice. Fans will get a peek into practice strategy and view in-practice interviews with players and coaches. A contest will be held after practice.
The Fan Fest is a non-ticketed event, but fans are encouraged to RSVP at www.coloradoavalanche.com to be eligible for prizes.