Call it the Education Line.
Center Alex Newhook is fresh off a two-year stint at Boston College. Left winger Tyson Jost played one season at North Dakota. Right winger J.T. Compher played three years at Michigan.
Three proud hockey players from three perennial national powers, now linemates for what is considered the Avalanche’s third line.
“We’re always beaking at each other and whatnot,” Jost said of college rivalries on Saturday after Day 3 of on-ice training camp at Family Sports Center. “It’s fun. It’s cool to see three college guys on a line and all three of us are pretty close friends, too.”
Former NCAA players make up roughly 33% of the NHL, according to College Hockey Inc., with the rest coming from major junior or Europe.
Avs coach Jared Bednar formed the Education Line for Thursday’s first day of camp, putting three natural centers together. He said Jost, 23, or Compher, 26, could move to center, which has added defensive responsibilities, but chose to begin with the rookie, Newhook, 20, for development reasons.
Newhook, who was Colorado’s second 2019 first-round draft pick (16th overall), signed with the Avs on March 31 after his sophomore year at BC. He played six regular-season games for the Avs and eight in the playoffs in burning the first year of his entry-level contract.
“I want to give him the opportunity to play the position where he was drafted and see how he handles it,” Bednar said of Newhook. “If he could play up the lineup as a winger, opposed to down in the lineup as a center, I’d probably lean that way. So those are all things we have to see. I haven’t seen him play enough hockey at this level to make that decision.”
Not long ago, Jost and Compher were in Newhook’s shoes as a heralded collegian trying to fit into the NHL.
“Comph and I are there to help him, for sure,” Jost said. “I remember being in his position four years ago. It’s exciting. We have a good line. We’re fast out there. We’re not the biggest guys ever but we can all skate and it’s fun when we’re playing that way.”
Bednar and his staff want to see more offense from Jost and Compher this season to help replace the combined 32 goals lost from the departures of Brandon Saad and Joonas Donskoi. Saad, who was lost to St. Louis in free agency, had 15 goals in just 44 games. Donskoi, who was selected by Seattle in the expansion draft, had 17 in 51.
Compher and Jost combined for just 17 goals.
“It’s wanted pressure, for sure,” Jost said of increased offense. “I want that responsibility.”
MacDermids. New Avs defenseman/enforcer Kurtis MacDermid was born in Quebec City when his father, Paul MacDermid, played for the Nordiques in 1993-94 and 1994-95 — the club’s last two seasons before it moved to Colorado and became the Avalanche.
Paul MacDermid’s 690-game NHL career ended in 1995 when the Avs began their first season in Denver.
“I have some old Nordiques jerseys in my closet from a baby and young kid. It’s pretty cool for me,” Kurtis MacDermid said.
MacDermid, 6-foot-5 and 235 pounds, is significantly bigger than his father, who was listed at 6-1, 200, and on pace to shatter his 257 career penalty minutes. Kurtis, 27, has been assessed 46 fighting majors since turning pro in 2014.
“It’s pretty obvious — physicality is what I bring, and just being heavy and hard in the defensive zone and making sure the other team doesn’t take advantage of any of the guys,” Kurtis said Saturday. “Great group of guys and staff. It’s a first-class organization and I’m really happy and excited to be here.”
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Avalanche all-college line features three natural centers, plenty of potential - The Denver Post
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