Cale Makar

By Richard Gonzalez

The Colorado Avalanche have selected right shooting defensemen Cale Makar with their 1st round (4th overall) pick. Makar (18 years old) is a 5’11 weighing in at 187 pounds. 

Scouting:

Bob McKenzie of TSN ranked Makar at number 4. Makar is described as an offensive defenseman who compares with Ottawa Senators elite defensemen Erik Karlsson. 

Makar played for the Brooks Bandits of the Alberta Junior Hockey League. Makar scored 75 points (24 goals and 51 assists) for the 2016/2017 season with the Bandits.

Makar has played a total of 111 games scoring 135 points (35 goals and 100 assists). Makar also appeared in a total of 46 playoff games scoring 37 points (9 goals and 37 assists). 

Makar has a high hockey IQ. A solid defenseman who quickly reacts to plays and makes his teammates around him better. His stick handle I got and puck possession had been said to be superb. Makar has the potential to be a franchise defensemen.

College:

 Makar said it was a goal of his to be selected in the first round. Makar is the second first round pick to go the college route with the first being Tyson Jost. Makar will play for Massachusetts-Amherst of the NCAA. 

Final Thought:

I feel this was the best pick for the Avalanche to select. I know a lot of us wanted Miro Heiskanen but unfortunately, the Dallas Stars picked him at number 3. I liked Heiskanen a lot more because he has played with men and has a little more size. However, the more I keep reading and watching videos on  Makar the more I’m getting excited about him. He has so much potential to develop into a franchise player. Also, to be compared with Erik Karlsson is never short of a bad thing. As much as I wanted to see if he could crack the lineup for the Avalanche this season, I’m glad he is choosing to attend College. Hockey is unpredictable and education is important. This gives him more time to mature, grow, and develop to his full potential. 

Makar will be in Denver on Monday at Pepsi Center for Media availability.

I wish Makar the best of luck and welcome him to the Colorado Avalanche.

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June 24th, 2017