After breakout season, Max Curran offers hope for Avalanche late-draft success story

Max Curran grew up in Prague but he s already seen the destination of his lifelong dream up close Curran is one of countless young European hockey players who have seen NHL games in his hometown as part of the league s global series He s watched four NHL teams play at Prague s O Arena including the return of hometown hero Tomas Hertl in with the San Jose Sharks Now after a breakout season and spending particular time with Hertl this past offseason Curran can see the fruition of his work starting to come together I think I can get better at everything I want to develop my tournament Curran declared I want to get bigger and more physical but I think everyone can get better at everything I just want to trust the process and hopefully it happens one day It is playing for the Avalanche in the NHL The Avs selected Curran with pick No in the NHL draft Listed at -foot- and pounds Curran had a great post-draft year on and off the ice with Tri-City in the Western Hockey League He led the Americans with points in games It was awesome Curran explained It was a great year great group of guys Really enjoyed it I think my speed doing everything faster helped Curran also got stronger and added weight The size is pretty tantalizing and the promise of a big two-way center with chosen offensive skill is there Playing in Tri-City was a good spot for him He developed well kind of rounded out his contest to a more -foot battle Brian Willsie the Avalanche s director of athlete rise mentioned He played a bit of center and a bit of wing Learned under Stu Barnes who is a good mentor there He has a big frame and broad shoulders so for him to put on selected weight is great The Avs need the draft class to be a success Colorado drafted nine players in nearly as various selections as and combined But only two were in the top selections and one William Zellers was already traded in the deal for Charlie Coyle Colorado hasn t drafted a player outside the top picks who went on to play at least games since both Brad Richardson No and David Jones No did so in the class From - the Avalanche selected players after pick No who played -plus games in the NHL including Willsie at No in The guy who came closest is former University of Denver star Will Butcher pick No in He played NHL games but never signed with the Avs after his DU career ended Goalie Ilya Nabokov the No selection in is expected to join the Avs or Eagles at the end of his KHL season and could crack the NHL depth chart soon The rest of the class could take longer to develop but Curran has moved to the top of the list with his probable The next step is to play for the Avs at the Rookie Showcase Colorado is hosting the event this weekend at South Suburban Sports Complex in Highlands Ranch Curran and the Avs will play Utah on Friday night and Vegas on Sunday afternoon After that Curran will not be returning to Tri-City He was traded to Edmonton in a huge offseason deal The Oil Kings gave up four future draft picks to add Curran to an already talented roster Related Articles Avalanche analysis Developing down position battles at Colorado training camp Avalanche Journal biggest questions as training camp beckons Keeler Avalanche-DU Pios alumni event MVP Not Peter Forsberg Not Joe Sakic It was Denver hockey moms Renck Avs-DU alumni battle benefits youth hockey but is really about players taking care of each other Former Avalanche star Mikko Rantanen faces fine of nearly k for missed military provision assessment says I think it was a good move Don t get me wrong I loved it in Tri-City and I m grateful for everything they ve done for me Curran stated But it was apparently time for me to move on and be on a group that is hopefully going for the Memorial Cup By the time Curran is ready to turn pro he ll already have a wealth of experience playing for NHL alums He played for Stu Barnes and Jody Hull with the Americans the past two seasons His new coaching staff with the Oil Kings includes former Oilers captain Jason Smith and Kyle Chipchura The Oil Kings also share facilities with the Oilers so it will be a full season of chances for Curran to interact and observe the NHL players he hopes to play against someday It s unfailingly nice when there s an ex-NHLer with experience for them to learn from Willsie stated He s got a couple other Czech players there with him It s going to be a good company That adds to his enhancement It s good to have two different environments to learn in That just adds to your experience and rise as a participant Want more Avalanche news Sign up for the Avalanche Insider to get all our NHL analysis