Colorado Sends Annunen to AHL, Prosvetov Becomes Backup

The Colorado Avalanche have sent goaltender Justus Annunen to the minor leagues. This seemingly locks in waiver claim Ivan Prosvetov as the team’s backup while Pavel Francouz is injured. There remains no timetable for Francouz’s return from an injury that required adductor surgery this summer.

Colorado drafted Annunen in the third round of the 2018 NHL Draft, the third-highest-picked goalie from the class. He’s appeared in four NHL games over the last two seasons, recording a 2-1-1 record and a .859 save percentage. He has also played in 91 AHL games over four seasons, recording a .904 save percentage through that stretch.

Annunen, 23, has only played North American hockey for roughly three seasons, coming over from Finland after Karpat’s second-round playoff defeat in 2021. He moved into the AHL with professional experience on his back, appearing in 49 Liiga games while in Finland and another 22 Mestis games – Finland’s top league and second league respectively. He recorded a confident 2.18 goals-against-average and .906 save percentage in his Liiga experience, setting a 22-15-11 record.

Prosvetov is one year older than Annunen and has much more experience with North American hockey, playing in the NAHL, USHL, and OHL before turning pro with the Arizona Coyotes. Prosvetov has played in 125 AHL games, setting a .895 save percentage and a nicely-split 54-54-11 record. He’s also added 13 NHL games, recording a .871 save percentage. His most recent NHL experience game just last season, serving as one of three goalies to suit up for Arizona last year.

The two goalies are in competition for a backup role that’s left by Francouz, who is still recovering from a groin injury suffered in May. Francouz has been assigned to injured reserve for the start of the season.