DENVER — It's been a great year so far for Sean Behrens, and the 21-year-old defenseman is looking to continue his fall with the Colorado Avalanche.
In April, Behrens helped the University of Denver win a record NCAA men's hockey national championship, signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Avalanche and made his professional debut with Colorado of the American Hockey League.
Now, he plans on those accomplishments to help him stand out among his teammates as he heads into rookie camp and training camp.
“I think I'm in a good place with the Avs,” Behrens said during Colorado's development camp earlier this month. “I'm very excited to continue, whether it's in Loveland (Colorado, where the AHL organization plays) or. Denver. I'm excited to play games, get into the organization, play pro hockey, and really start my hockey career.
“So the work kind of starts now, but it's just fooling around with the practice, with the games, with the dev camp, taking as much as possible from the different guys. I'm really excited.”
Despite playing in just two AHL games last season, one during the Calder Cup Playoffs, Behrens, a second-round pick (No. 61) in the 2021 NHL Draft, was a sponge for the team, learning all he could in short amounts. the time.
“I think it was nice to wake up to play in the game but to be close to that team,” he said. “I've met a lot of guys like (veteran defenseman) Brad Hunt, Keaton Middleton, really good guys to learn from, really knowledgeable about their details. So I think just being up there, being around those guys was something I really appreciated and took a lot from, especially those two guys.”
Another big takeaway the 5-foot-10, 177-pound native of Barrington, Illinois, had from his pro stint, and has focused on during the offseason, is the importance of good footwork.
“I think it's just having quiet feet,” he said. “Don't fall over, not kind of fall over yourself, because guys get out of the zone a lot faster. They get a little faster plays.
“So being able to close on guys, I think that's something I've worked on throughout my three years at DU, and it's getting better, but especially at the professional level, it needs to be really good. And you have to be able to control your D-zone and be successful in your D-zone if you're going to be successful at the professional level. “
As for next steps, Brian Willsie, the Avalanche's director of player development, wants to see Behrens get more games under his belt and show his ability to continue developing his skill set.
“For the protectors in my mind, [it takes] season,” Willsie said. “Sometimes people throw 100 plays for defenses to practice. So getting up there and getting experience with older, stronger players [is key]. He passed out from DU. He has developed quite well for his age.
“The Eagles play at a really high speed. Watch them play high-speed games like the Avs here. So get to play that style, and we'll watch him improve.”
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