Avalanche defenseman finally receives the news he's been waiting on for years
Photo credit: Ashley Potts / NHLI
After years of grinding and waiting for his chance, Colorado Avalanche veteran defenseman Keaton Middleton finally sees his dreams come true, and fans couldn't be happier.
Last season, Middleton achieved what countless minor-league hockey players can only dream of. He finally made it to the NHL.
Keaton Middleton's dream has finally come true.
Corey Masisak from The Denver Post writes that after spending five months with the Avalanche and seemingly securing a spot on the NHL roster even before training camp started, Middleton approaches his first preseason game with no hesitation: during warmups, he squared off with the biggest, toughest-looking player on the opposing team, and agreed to drop the gloves.
"I don't have an identity crisis. I know who I am. I've known who I am for years. That won't be a problem for me. I know my game and I know what to do to help our team win." -Middleton
Except for a brief call-up with an injury-plagued Avalanche squad on April 2021, Middleton spent the prior six seasons in the AHL. He started his seventh professional year in the minors as well, but the Avalanche decided to give him another opportunity.
Middleton suited for the Colorado Eagles on Nov. 30, 2024, was called up to the Avalanche two days later, and hasn't returned to the AHL since. Last season, he appeared in 41 games for Colorado, carving out a role as a reliable third-pairing defenseman when needed.
"It was a learning experience. It was like a cup of coffee, maybe even half a pot, but I want another pot now. I spent a lot of time playing professional hockey at the AHL level, and now you get a taste of this, you want to do whatever you can to stick around." -Middleton
Although the Avalanche added more depth at forward late in the summer, the defensive depth chart remains unchanged, clearly a sign of confidence in the current blue-line group.
"I know I'm still fighting for a job. I'm always fighting for a job. That's a position I'll be in for my career. The only difference is now I know I'm an NHL defenseman, and I have the capability to be one. But there's always new guys, young guys, guys having good camps. I have to fight for a spot. I'll be like that 'till I'm 40. It's just how it is, just the mindset that I have." -Middleton
When the roster is fully healthy, Middleton serves as the No. 7 defenseman. However, with Samuel Girard racing to recover from a lower-body injury, Middleton could make his NHL opening-night debut for the first time in his career.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 27 | 26 ANSWERS Avalanche defenseman finally receives the news he's been waiting on for years Do you think Keaton Middleton cracks the Avalanche's opening night roster this season? | ||
| yes | 19 | 73.1 % |
| no | 7 | 26.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
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