Part of Rick Pracey’s demise with the Avalanche as director of amateur scouting was his recommendation to draft Stefan Elliott and Tyson Barrie with the 49th and 64th picks in the 2009 NHL draft. They were the same player, both right-handed shots with big offensive upside but much to learn defensively. Elliott was given the first opportunity with the Avs, and he did well. But ultimately, it was Barrie who flourished with the organization, and Elliott was on the outside looking in.
Elliott on Wednesday night was traded to the Arizona Coyotes for left-shooting defenseman Brandon Gormley, who was selected 13th overall in the 2010 draft. Elliott is 24; Gormley 23.
Gormley is listed at 6-foot-2, 196 pounds. He played in 32 games with the Coyotes, including 27 last season. He played junior in the Quebec league for the Moncton Wildcats, opposite Avalanche coach Patrick Roy, who was with the Quebec Remparts. Roy likes familiar faces and he obviously knows much about Gormley. But among the first 14 picks in 2010, Gormely has played the third-fewest NHL games, behind D Dylan McIlrath (10th to the Rangers) and G Jack Campbell (11th to the Stars).
