The Colorado Avalanche signed college defenceman Cale Makar to to a three-year, entry-level contract. This contract carries him through the 2020-21 season. No financial terms are known at the moment. The deal starts right away.
BREAKING: Avalanche top prospect Cale Makar has signed his ELC with the team and his deal starts this season, per a team spokesman. #Avs
— Ryan S. Clark (@ryan_s_clark) April 14, 2019
Cale Makar Signs With the Avalanche
Makar just completed his sophomore season with the University of Massachusetts. He wrapped up his career with the Minutemen with 21 goals and 49 assists for 70 points in 75 NCAA games.
Last season he scored 16 goals and 33 assists for 49 points in 41 games. He also added 31 penalty minutes. The Calgary native earned the Hobey Baker Award for collegiate hockey’s best player. Colorado originally drafted him in the first round, fourth overall of the 2017 NHL Draft.
He led UMass to its first appearance in the Frozen Four and the school reached the national title game. Massachusetts lost to the University of Minnesota-Duluth, 3-0, in the championship.
Makar also supplied three goals and five assists for eight points at the 2018 World Juniors. He helped lead Team Canada to the gold medal.
“Cale obviously had a tremendous season, winning the Hobey Baker and getting his team to the Frozen Four,” said Avs general manager Joe Sakic when he talked to the media. “He is a game-changing type of player who made a lasting impact on the UMass hockey program. We are excited to have him join our team.”
What This Means for the Future
Makar may draw into the lineup for Game 3 of Colorado’s opening round series against the Calgary Flames. He is a skilled puck mover with plenty of offensive skill. The 20-year-old has a great wrist shot and has been working on his slap shot.
He would add some instant skating ability to the backend of a Colorado squad looking to keep up with Calgary. Makar has drawn comparisons to San Jose Sharks defenceman and perennial All-Star Erik Karlsson.
The Avalanche and the Flames resume the series Monday in Denver with the series tied at one game apiece.
AMHERST, MA – NOVEMBER 9: Cale Makar #16 of the Massachusetts Minutemen skates against the Providence College Friars during NCAA hockey at the Mullins Center on November 9, 2017 in Amherst, Massachusetts. Massachusetts won 5-2. (Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images)
