With Colorado securing their playoff position early, Jack Ahcan had a short, two-game showing with the Avalanche and has been returned to the Colorado Eagles (AHL) on Monday. The 27-year-old had previously appeared in nine NHL games (with Boston) but hadn't appeared in the NHL since 2021-22.
Ahcan is an undrafted 27-year-old defenseman with nine games of NHL experience. That said, he has exclusively played in the AHL the previous three seasons, including scoring 41 points (5G / 36A) in 67 games with the Colorado Eagles (AHL) this season.
Ahcan had five goals, 31 assists, 24 PIMs and a +5 plus/minus through 68 games with Providence (AHL) in 2022-23 and has signed a two-year, two-way deal worth $1,550,000 ($775,000 AAV) with Colorado. The 26-year-old undrafted defenseman did not play in the NHL last season but has a goal, 10 SOG, and a -6 plus/minus through nine career NHL games.
Ahcan will suit up for his third game of the season, replacing Matt Grzelcyk, who is out with an upper-body injury that he suffered on Thursday. Ahcan has spent most of the year in Providence (AHL), where he has 19 points (5G / 14A) in 31 games.
Ahcan played 13:06 in Thursday's win over the Flyers but will come out of the lineup on Saturday with Derek Forbort (COVID-19 protocol) returning.
The Bruins were finally given the green light to call-up players from Providence after a COVID-19 breakout. Ahcan has picked up two goals with eight assists (10 points) in 19 AHL games this season.
With a number of Bruins' defensemen unavailable on Sunday, Ahcan will appear in his second career NHL game. He has registered eight points (1G / 7A) in 14 AHL games this year.
Ahcan was an undrafted free-agent defenseman out of St. Cloud State. The 22-year-old led all team defensemen with 25 points (7G / 18A) in 33 games. Ahcan will likely join the Providence Bruins (AHL) next season.
