Adam Werner Loaned To HC Vita Hasten

While goaltending depth was perhaps eventually the downfall of the Colorado Avalanche in the playoffs, you can’t say that they didn’t try to build up the pipeline. The team ended up with Michael Hutchinson starting for them in the postseason but also have some young talent pushing for a larger opportunity. While Hunter Miska needs a new contract this offseason as a restricted free agent, Adam Werner, his minor league partner, will be headed overseas to keep his game sharp.

Werner has been loaned to HC Vita Hasten in the Swedish second league until NHL training camps open for the 2020-21 season. You may remember the 23-year-old goaltender from his two appearances with the Avalanche this season, where he posted a .914 save percentage including what really should have been credited as a shutout in his debut. On November 12, Werner was forced into the game in relief of Pavel Francouz after just 31 seconds and stopped all 40 shots he faced from the Winnipeg Jets.

The young goaltender had a .909 save percentage at the AHL level this season but has been a dominant performer in the SHL before, meaning he could be quite the weapon for his new Allsvenskan team. With no real certainty in the Colorado net past next season, Werner’s development will be an interesting story to watch this year.