Avalanche wants Ivan Ivan to be one other improvement success story

LOVELAND — Ivan Ivan is aware of it’s going to come up sooner or later.

Teammates, coaches, followers, media members … finally, somebody goes to ask him about his title. It’s by no means mean-spirited, however individuals are at all times curious.

“It’s humorous,” Ivan stated. “Lots of people suppose my mother and father hate me or one thing. I discover that fairly loopy. If my mother and father hated me, they wouldn’t let me play hockey. It’s one of the crucial costly sports activities.

“My mother and father wished me to be particular, so it’s not a standard title.”

Ivan took an unusual path to the NHL this season. He’s making an attempt to defy fairly lengthy odds, nevertheless it’s precisely the kind of improvement success story the Colorado Avalanche wants because the franchise tries to search out supporting solid members for its high-priced core of elite expertise.

After a promising begin to his first NHL season, Ivan spent the second half of the 12 months readjusting to life within the AHL. Now, he’s making an attempt to assist the Colorado Eagles chase down a Calder Cup championship, with an eye fixed towards changing into a extra everlasting a part of the Avs’ plans subsequent season.

“After we first noticed him at rookie camp and (summer time improvement) camp, we have been seeing some instruments and we acquired just a little excited,” Eagles coach Aaron Schneekloth stated. “You need to be sensible as a result of it’s simply rookie camp, however we knew we had one thing. Attending to know Ivan as a participant and an individual, he’s been coachable. He needs to study. He needs to show he belongs. And he simply continued to work day-after-day.

“He’s persistent. It’s been an incredible discover for the group.”

Marek Ivan performed within the WHL as a young person. His skilled profession in North America was temporary, however he spent 20 years taking part in in Europe, principally at dwelling in Czechia.

When his eldest son was mapping out his path, he wished to comply with in his dad’s footsteps. So Ivan left dwelling for Cape Breton within the QMJHL in 2019.

His first season was an adjustment, however Ivan felt like his second 12 months can be so much higher and assist him discover a place within the 2021 NHL draft. However the COVID-19 pandemic that reduce his first season in North America quick was unrelenting.

He spent the 2020-21 season on mortgage together with his hometown membership, which is within the third division of Czech hockey. Ivan practiced so much after which practiced some extra. He performed a complete of 5 league video games, plus a while on the Czechia world juniors camp.

“It was powerful, particularly after coming dwelling from taking part in in Canada,” Ivan stated. “I knew I used to be prepared for a giant season, nevertheless it occurred, and I’m glad my hometown crew let me skate and all that. I feel I might have gotten a greater probability of taking part in extra than simply being within the taxi squad.”

He fell off the draft radar, however back-to-back robust seasons with Cape Breton after that earned him an AHL contract with Colorado. Ivan was a breakout participant for the Eagles final 12 months as a rookie, and by March, he had inked his first NHL entry-level deal.

When the Avs have been lacking key NHL forwards in coaching camp, Ivan seized the chance. As soon as Valeri Nichushkin and Artturi Lehkonen returned, Ivan stored his place. At one level, he had 5 objectives and eight factors in 22 video games.

Finally, he hit the rookie wall. After 18 video games with out a level, it was time to return to the Eagles. That adjustment might be arduous for younger gamers, particularly after making the dream come true.

“It’s a giant distinction. It feels prefer it was arduous to change the tempo and magnificence of hockey, particularly after 40 video games,” Ivan stated. “You get used to the habits on the ice. It’s simply completely different. Simply making an attempt to work arduous, and making an attempt to determine my sport within the AHL once more.”

The man who buried one-timers on the facility play from Nathan MacKinnon in October whereas additionally taking part in a accountable model of hockey took some time to indicate up in his second go-round in Loveland.

Ivan had 12 objectives and 31 factors in 67 video games for the Eagles final season, however simply two and 12 in 31 contests after the demotion. His play began to perk up, and he’s been a key participant for the membership in six Calder Cup video games. The Eagles path Abbotsford 2-1 in a best-of-five quarterfinal sequence after dropping 2-1 in time beyond regulation Wednesday night time at Blue Area. Sport 4 is right here Friday night time. If the Eagles win, a winner-take-all Sport 5 can be Monday afternoon in Loveland.

“There was an adjustment interval, however he was very mature about it,” Schneekloth stated. “He understood. And we’re beginning to see it. It’s a very powerful time of the 12 months proper now, and he’s been an incredible participant for us.”