The Colorado Avalanche will have a new American Hockey League affiliate in 2018-19 and a team that’s closer to home.
Colorado officials announced Tuesday that the Colorado Eagles will take over for the San Antonio Rampage as the Avs’ AHL affiliate. The AHL Board of Governors approved league expansion in July, with the Eagles set to come on board. The Eagles are located in Loveland — about 60 miles north of Denver — and will spend one final season as Colorado’s ECHL affiliate.
The Eagles started play in 2003, winning the Central Hockey League championship in 2004-05 and again in ’06-07. Last season, they captured the Kelly Cup as ECHL champions.
GM Joe Sakic says Avalanche fans can now see top prospects “developing in an outstanding environment just up the road.”
BOSTON AT COLORADO, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, ALT, 950 AM
Spotlight on Danton Heinen
The Bruins’ rookie forward was recalled from the American Hockey League’s Providence Bruins on Tuesday and traveled with the team to Denver. He likely will play his ninth career NHL game Wednesday at the in the Avalanche’s home opener. Heinen, 22, led the University of Denver in scoring as a sophomore in 2015-16, and then signed with Boston. He began last season with Boston but played just eight games. Heinen led Providence with 18 points (nine goals) in 17 Calder Cup playoff games, but he didn’t make Boston’s 23-man lineup to begin the season last week.
NOTEBOOK
Bruins: Standout forward Patrice Bergeron (lower body) didn’t practice with the team Tuesday and won’t play Wednesday, but is likely to return to the lineup this weekend at Arizona or Las Vegas. … Veteran forward Ryan White, 29, was signed to a tryout contract Tuesday and traveled with the team to Denver. White split last season between Arizona and Minnesota, producing 16 points (nine goals) in 65 games. … Tuukka Rask is expected to start in goal. … The Bruins begin a three-game western road trip at the Pepsi Center, where they blanked the Avalanche 2-0 last season.
Avalanche: The team had Tuesday off after returning to Denver on Monday night from Boston, where it beat the Bruins 4-0 in a Columbus Day matinee. Colorado finished the season-opening trip 2-1. … The Avs begin a stretch where they’ll play three games in four nights. They host the on Friday before visiting the on Saturday. … Wednesday marks the earliest in club history the Ave will conclude a season series against an opponent.
