Center Nathan MacKinnon and defenseman Erik Johnson rejoined the Avalanche Monday after returning from the World Cup and were on the ice for practice in the second of the two groups under the direction of new coach Jared Bednar at Family Sports Center.
Earlier, as the first group skated, the team announced it had trimmed six from its preseason roster.
Defenseman Josh Anderson and left wing Brogan O’Brien were returned to major junior’s Prince George Cougars of the Western Hockey League. Anderson was the Avs’ third-round choice this year and all along was ticketed to play at least one more year of major junior. The undrafted O’Brien, 19, was a camp invitee.
Left wing Travis Barron, Colorado’s seventh-round pick this year, also was returned to his major junior team, the Ottawa 67s of the Ontario Hockey League.
Left wing Jeffrey Truchon-Viel, another undrafted camp invitee, was returned to Acadie-Bathurst of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
Major junior’s regular season began over the weekend.
Also, right wing Jackson Houck was assigned to the Avalanche’s American Hockey League affiliate, the San Antonio Rampage, and center Gustav Olhaver was sent to Rogle J20 in Sweden. Houck was undrafted and played 56 games in the WHL last season with Vancouver and Calgary, and then finished up with three games at San Antonio. Olhaver, Colorado’s seventh-round pick in 2015, played 51 games in the WHL last season with Seattle and Swift Current.
