With the 11th overall pick in the first round of the NHL draft tonight, the Avs selected 6-foot-3, 197-pound defenseman Duncan Siemens of Saskatoon in the Western Hockey League. Siemens was a teammate of Avs defensive up-and-comer Stefan Elliott, and plays a rugged, physical game.
In Siemens, 17, the Avs get a 6-foot-3, 197-pound defender known as one of the toughest stay-at-home blueliners in the league considered the toughest in junior. The native of Sherwood Park, Alberta, grew up an Oilers fan, but was beaming after going to the Avs No. 11.
“I’m honored to be part of the Colorado family,” Siemens said. “I describe my game as a tough, hard-to-play-against, edgy defenseman who takes care of his own end first but has the ability to chip in offensively.”
