Eurolanche

Under the Radar

With Avs training camp around the corner everyone is getting excited for it to start.  We get to see some of the newly acquired talent for the Colorado Avalanche. Now it will probably not be the most surprising camp in Avs history with the lineup already set by new coach Roy. But you never really know what could happen still.

Now everyone is talking about getting their first glimpse of Nathan MacKinnon, as well as the heart warmer story of Joey Hishon at camp after those horrible early career concussion. Seeing how much Duncan Siemens has progressed and if he can steal a spot for opening night.  How Chris Bigras looks after all the praise he has been getting from the Avs front office.

To be honest I am looking forward to seeing how one guy who probably falls under everyone's radar will do. That would be Left Winger Andrew Agozzino who led the Lake Erie Monsters last year across the board. He had 20 goals and 32 assists for 52 points. He had a team leading plus 16 and played in all 76 games. Why he played in all 76 games is because he was signed to only an AHL contract.

I honestly believe if he hadn’t been on that type of contract last year he would have been called up at some point. I think the Avs believe it too because they signed him to a new 2-way contract this year.

Why I really like Agozzino is his drive. He was an undrafted player who just won’t give up. He keeps training and working towards making the NHL. He is only 22 so he still has plenty of time. He is definitely not the biggest guy out there at only 5’9 and 185 pounds. But he competes hard and is responsible in his own end as well as putting up good numbers.

He has leadership experience being named captain of his junior team the Niagara Ice Dogs in 2009. In 2011-12 he won the Mickey Renaud Captain's Trophy for best captain in the OHL.  He has a good head on his shoulders.

He is also something the Avs don’t have a lot of in the prospect pool. He is a winger. No one can say the Avs are not deep at center with 4 guys on the team who could all be 1 or 2 centers. Then you have Hishon and Sgarbossa as the top two prospects at center. But when it comes to the wings the Avs have a lot of average or untested prospects. Now in no way am I saying Agozzino is the next big thing on the Avs wing. I am saying don’t be surprised to see him at some point in the lineup. He doesn’t give up and if he wants it bad enough he will be there.