Five Avalanche prospects helped the Colorado Eagles win their second consecutive Kelly Cup as ECHL champions in their final season in the league.

The Loveland-based Eagles will step up in class next season as the Avalanche’s American Hockey League affiliate.

The Eagles, who last year defeated the South Carolina Stingrays to win the title, became the fourth team in ECHL history to win back-to-back championships, joining the Allen Americans (2015-16), Toledo Walleye (1993-94) and Hampton Roads (1991-92).

Goalie Joe Cannata, who will be an unrestricted free agent July 1, made 11 of his 30 saves in the third period Saturday in the Eagles’ 3-2, Game 7 win at Germain Arena in Estero, Fla.

Cannata, 28, went 16-6 in the playoffs with a 2.55 goals-against average and .913 save percentage. He was 21-5-1 with the Eagles in regular-season play with a 2.22 goals-against average (fifth best in the ECHL) and .931 save percentage, which tied for the league lead.

Cannata won all three of his games with the AHL San Antonio Rampage, posting a 1.84 goals-against average and .920 save percentage.

Cannata, who was acquired in March 2017 from Washington for Cody Corbett, signed a two-way contract last July that paid him $75,000 this season, according to capfriendly.com; he would have made $650,000 in the NHL.

Four players on entry-level contracts contributed to the championship:

Forward Travis Barron, 19, had seven points (two goals, five assists) in 20 playoff games. He was the Avalanche’s seventh-round pick (No. 191) in the 2016 NHL draft. Barron had 57 points (21 goals, 36 assists) in 67 games with the Ottawa 67’s in the OHL this year.

Forward J.C. Beaudin, 21, led all playoff rookies in scoring with 18 points (10 goals, eight assists) in 22 games. He was the Avalanche’s third-round pick (No. 71) in 2015. Beaudin split the season with the Rampage (2-5-7 in 34 games) and Eagles (7-20-27 in 30 games).

Forward Julien Nantel, 21, had seven points (three goals, four assists) in 24 playoff games. He was the Avalanche’s seventh-round pick (No. 204) in 2014. Nantel had 6-2-8 in 48 games with the Rampage, 4-11-15 in 18 games with the Eagles.

Defenseman Nicolas Meloche had six points (one goal, five assists) in 24 playoff games. He was the second of the Avalanche’s two second-round picks (No. 40) in 2015. Meloche had 5-12-17 in 58 games with the Rampage and one goal in five games with the Eagles.



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