Christian Humphreys wasted no time putting his name at the top of the Avalanche’s development camp conversation Tuesday.
With Colorado opening its three-day camp at Family Sports Center, the 26 prospects on the ice were split into two groups for the first sessions, and a few players immediately separated themselves with pace, skill, and plenty of energy. Humphreys, Beckett Hamilton, Nikita Ishimnikov, and Linus Funck all drew attention in different ways as the organization got its first look at this year’s crop.
Humphreys, a 20-year-old forward drafted in 2024, looked like a player who has already taken a real jump. He put together a breakout year with the Kitchener Rangers, piling up 110 points in 85 games while helping the club reach its first Memorial Cup since 2003.
His path to that surge included a stint at the University of Michigan, where he played 10 games before moving to the OHL after limited ice time and talks with his family. Since then, the progress has shown up clearly.
His skating has improved, his conditioning looks stronger, and his creativity remains the calling card. He stayed active in the play throughout the session and flashed the kind of passing ability that can cut through pressure.
One of those moments came when Humphreys set up Beckett Hamilton with a gorgeous pass.
Hamilton, taken 74th overall in the NHL Draft, made a strong first impression of his own. He brought visible energy into the building and carried himself like a player who knew exactly how valuable this opportunity was.
That attitude showed up on the ice, too. He has a clean one-timer, he finds quiet areas in coverage, and he has a feel for where the puck is going to end up.
There’s a dependable edge to his game, along with a little opportunism around the net, and his style brought hints of both Brock Nelson and Parker Kelly. It was a solid opening day for him.
On defense, Nikita Ishimnikov fit the Avalanche’s preferred look for a blue-liner. He moved well, handled the puck with confidence, and looked comfortable getting the puck up ice in Group 2. His game had a calm, efficient feel to it, and he logged steady minutes through the session.
Linus Funck also stood out in Group 2 thanks to his nonstop motor. He brought the kind of effort that jumps off the ice, staying engaged on every shift and refusing to let plays die.
Like Hamilton, he played with a contagious energy that was hard to miss. There are still parts of his game to sharpen, but his work rate and willingness to keep himself involved were clear positives and fit the environment Colorado wants to build in development camp.
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Svechkov, in particular, is the name to watch as camp and the early part of the season unfold. The Avalanche are hoping he can push for a bottom-six role, and if he settles in quickly, it could ease the sting of losing Drurys steadiness and make the trade look a lot less like a subtraction than it first appeared. [Read more 🡒]