Avs pick defenseman Chris Romaine and goalie Ivan Zhigalov in NHL draft Friday
Colorado had only two picks after trading for Georgiev
The Avalanche selected a Massachusetts high school defenseman and a Quebec Major Junior Hockey League goaltender with its lone two picks in the NHL draft.
Colorado chose Chris Romaine (Milton Academy) at No. 193 and Ivan Zhigalov (Sherwood) at No. 225 on Friday with sixth- and seventh-round selections, respectively. The Avs lacked additional draft capital after trading away two 2022 picks and a 2023 pick on Thursday for Rangers’ goalie Alexandar Georgiev.
Romaine, 18, is a rightshot defenseman from an independent college preparatory school just south of Boston. The 6-foot, 194pound prospect is committed to playing hockey at Providence College. Romaine tallied 22 points (nine goals) in only 18 games over his final high school season. His former AAA coach, Dave Franzosa, provided a scouting report in a March interview with Capecodwhalers.com.
“Christopher has evolved into an elite defenseman who highly impacts the game in all situations,” Franzosa said. “His skating, shot, passing ability, physical strength, and hockey IQ are all off the charts. … I think he has an enormously high ceiling in this sport and I look forward to watching him play for years to come.”
Zhigalov, 19, is a Belarus native who played 42 games in net last season for the Sherbrooke Phoenix. The right-catching goalie posted a 26-9-3 record with a .892 save percentage. He touts great size at 6-foot-3 and 164 pounds. Central Scouting goalie evaluator Al Jensen provided his thoughts about Zhigalov in a June interview with Nhl.com.
“He’s just got that presence about him and he carries himself well,” Jensen said. “There’s so much to work with for an NHL team and this guy has a really good chance to play in the NHL someday; I really believe that. He’s got the size, the quickness and just looks like an NHL goalie in there.”
DU in the draft. Four incoming freshmen and one returning player from the University of Denver were selected in the NHL draft Friday coming off the Pioneers’ NCAA championship season.
DU commits:
— Forward Rieger Lorenz of Calgary at No. 56 overall (second round) to the Minnesota Wild.
— Forward Miko Matikka of Finland at No. 67 overall (third round) to the Arizona Coyotes.
— Forward Aidan Thompson of Fort Collins at No. 90 overall (third round) to the Chicago Blackhawks.
— Defenseman Garrett Brown of San Jose, Calif., at No. 99 overall (fourth round) to the Winnipeg Jets.
DU players: — Sophomore forward Jack Devine at No. 221 overall (seventh round) to the Florida Panthers.