Eagles Pushing For AHL Success

While the Colorado Avalanche continue to spin their tires this EHE season, 50 miles north in Loveland Colorado their AHL affiliate Eagles have been having their best year to date under the Lycar tenure. "We've been fortunate to benefit from good goaltending, and a great team system which stems from our coaching staff." 

 A big part of the Eagles success also has to be attributed to their top line of Dylan Cozens, Sonny Milano and Keegan Kolesar. "When we made the Carlson trade, we knew Sonny and Dylan were still a year away or so from our big club but we also knew the immediate impact they'd have on our AHL squad." Cozens currently leads the Eagles in points with 38 in 42 games played, while Milano has spent a little time with the big club; though in 28 games he currently sits second on the team in scoring with 29 points.

With the success up to this point Lycar was prompted to make a duo of trades over the last 24 hours. First acquiring Aaron Ness and Brett Ritchie for Colt Conrad, Jon Martin and cash considerations. "Rich (Brett Ritchie) and Nesser (Aaron Ness) are both veterans of this league as well very serviceable players. They instantly make our squad better on the ice as well in the locker room." With moving Jon Martin out the Eagles were looking for a top 6 winger. It didn't take long for Lycar to acquire Austin Poganski from the Tampa Bay organization. "A guy who will have an immediate impact, as well has some NHL experience. Ultimately we believe these moves make us a contender in the AHL this season, and we're really looking forward to watching this team down the stretch." 

Time will tell just how far the AHL edition of the Avs organization will go this season, one thing is for certain; With the Avs having their worst EHE season under Kirklan Lycar, they have put an emphasis on their AHL squad. "Being a winning organization starts from the bottom up, we want to be a fixture in the AHL moving forward and this season (to this point) has been a solid start to that philosophy."

The Eagles currently sit 3rd in the central division and 6th in the AHL overall with a record of 22-14-5