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Makar not ready to turn pro |
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Rick Sadowski
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Cale Makar continues to pursue his goal of playing in the NHL, but he’ll do it by returning to the University of Massachusetts/Amherst for his sophomore year.
Makar, who was the Avalanche’s first-round pick (No. 4) in the 2017 NHL draft, made that decision relatively soon after completing his freshman year at the school.
The 19-year-old defenseman just doesn’t think he’s ready to turn pro yet.
“After the season I sat down for a bit,” he said Saturday at Family Sports in Centennial, Colo., where he’s taking part in the Avalanche’s development camp. “I had my mind relatively set. I just felt it was in my best interest to go back to school for one more year and hopefully develop a little bit more.
“I’m getting to the point where I feel I’m pro ready, but at the end of the day I know that there are still some tweaks in my game, whether it’s in the defensive side or off ice physically that I can tweak. Those will be the big things this coming year and hopefully I’ll make a decision after that.”
It took the slick skating Makar some time to adjust to NCAA hockey after amassing 75 points (24 goals, 51 assists) in 54 games for the Brooks Bandits in the Alberta Junior Hockey League in 2016-17.
He finished with 21 points (five goals, 16 assists) in 34 games and was named to the Hockey East All-Rookie Team and as a Hockey East Third Team All Star.
Makar also helped Canada win gold at the World Junior Championships with eight points (three goals, five assists) in seven games.
“I think in the beginning I had a little bit of growing pains in terms of the league,” he said. “It was a lot different than playing in the AJHL. In the NCAA it’s a lot more physical, guys are on you right away. Even on our Olympic size (rink) at UMass it’s a very tight space in the defensive zone as well.
“It was an adjustment period and I think I found a groove a little after the World Juniors when I came back to school. Hopefully I can build on that and see where that goes.”
Playing on a freshmen-laden team, Makar helped UMass post a 15-17-2 record a year after the school went 5-29-2.
“I had very high expectations going into my first NCAA season,” he said. “I’m a guy that’s very tough on myself. I think I’m my biggest critic. I wasn’t too pleased with a lot of my performances, but there’s a lot of stuff I can build on and things I do very well.
“When I’m ready I’ll make that jump (to turning pro). I’m not rushing into any situation. I’m doing what’s best for me and, ultimately, it’s going to be best for this organization in the long run. That’s kind of the way I look at it.
“I want to work on my consistency. I struggled with that a little bit last year. The consistency of being so reliable in the defensive zone and in the offensive zone as well, not spending all my energy in the offensive zone and being slack in the defensive zone.”
Alan Hepple, the Avalanche’s director of amateur scouting, is fine with Makar going back to school.
“Cale has always taken his time, going to school. He spent an extra year playing Tier II and then obviously it was a big jump for him to go play at UMass/Amherst,” Hepple said. “He’s got to feel comfortable coming out. These guys come at their own pace.
“He started off a little bit slow maybe, but then he took off the second half. I think the World Juniors was an eye opener for him, the biggest stage he’s been on, and he was good. His skating, speed … he scored some great goals. He got better and better.
“For him to go back and play the second half of the season, he was very good in the second half. I think sometimes these kids want to rush it too much. For him to go back and play another year, it’s not a bad decision.”
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Defenseman Conor Timmins, the Avalanche’s second-round pick (No. 32) in 2017, is attending camp but is recovering from a concussion and isn’t taking part in any on-ice activities.
Timmins, who had 41 points (eight goals, 33 assists) in 36 games for Sault Ste. Marie last season, was injured during an OHL playoff game in May.
Timmins, who will be 20 in September, signed a three-year, entry-level contract in March and is expected to compete for a roster spot with the Avalanche at training camp.
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