DU’S Behrens now Avs’ top blueline prospect

University of Denver freshman defenseman Sean Behrens was ecstatic to not get a phone call from Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic or a member of his staff ahead of Monday’s NHL trade deadline.

Behrens, the Avs’ 2021 second-round draft pick (61st overall), was not among the two top prospects Colorado sacrificed in deals to acquire defenseman Josh Manson from Anaheim and forward Artturi Lehkonen from Montreal.

“I’m really excited to still be in Colorado, to still be a prospect in their organization,” Behrens said Tuesday, a day before the Pioneers travel to Loveland to prepare for Thursday’s NCAA West Regional opener against Massachusetts-lowell at the Budweiser Events Center. “It’s really exciting for me.”

Behrens, who runs DU’S first power-play unit and was among four Pioneers to be named to the National Collegiate Hockey Conference all-rookie team, is now the Avs’ No. 1 prospect among defensemen. The 18-year-old slid up from No. 3 after Colorado sent Drew Helleson to the Ducks in the Manson deal and Justin Barron to the Canadiens in the deal for Lehkonen.

“He’s been great. Really good. He’s a hard-nosed player, does everything well, and we’re excited about his year,” Sakic said. “Right off the bat right, one of their better players, and they got a great team and he’s a huge part of it.”

The Avs’ top-five overall prospects before the deadline, according to The Hockey News, were Barron, forward Oskar Olausson, goalie Justus Annunen, Helleson, and Behrens.

Behrens is the youngest of the five. He turns 19 on March 31.