Ivan chasing Calder Cup with Eagles, everlasting spot with Avs

LOVELAND — Ivan Ivan is aware of it’s going to come up in some unspecified time in the future.

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

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

“My dad and mom needed me to be particular, so it’s not a typical identify.”

Ivan took an unusual path to the NHL this season. He’s making an attempt to defy fairly lengthy odds, but it surely’s precisely the kind of growth success story the Colorado Avalanche wants because the franchise tries to seek out supporting forged 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 yr readjusting to life within the AHL. Now, he’s making an attempt to assist the Colorado Eagles chase down a Calder Cup championship, with a watch towards changing into a extra everlasting a part of the Avs’ plans subsequent season.

“Once we first noticed him at rookie camp and (summer season growth) camp, we had been seeing some instruments and we bought a little bit excited,” Eagles coach Aaron Schneekloth stated. “You need to be practical 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 desires to study. He desires to show he belongs. And he simply continued to work each day.

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

Marek Ivan performed within the WHL as a teen. His skilled profession in North America was temporary, however he spent 20 years enjoying in Europe, largely at dwelling in Czechia.

When his eldest son was mapping out his path, he needed 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 yr can be loads higher and assist him discover a place within the 2021 NHL draft. However the COVID-19 pandemic that minimize his first season in North America quick was unrelenting.

He spent the 2020-21 season on mortgage along with his hometown membership, which is within the third division of Czech hockey. Ivan practiced loads 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 enjoying in Canada,” Ivan stated. “I knew I used to be prepared for a giant season, but it surely occurred, and I’m glad my hometown workforce let me skate and all that. I believe I may have gotten a greater likelihood of enjoying 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 yr as a rookie, and by March, he had inked his first NHL entry-level deal.

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

Ultimately, he hit the rookie wall. After 18 video games and not using a level, it was time to return to the Eagles. That adjustment could be onerous for younger gamers, particularly after making the dream come true.

“It’s a giant distinction. It feels prefer it was onerous to change the tempo and elegance 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 onerous, and making an attempt to determine my recreation within the AHL once more.”

The man who buried one-timers on the facility play from Nathan MacKinnon in October whereas additionally enjoying 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 collection after dropping 2-1 in extra time Wednesday evening at Blue Area. Sport 4 is right here Friday evening. 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 crucial time of the yr proper now, and he’s been an incredible participant for us.”

The Avs have 11 forwards underneath contract for subsequent season, but in addition a couple of key free brokers. A participant like Ivan proving he could be an on a regular basis man within the backside six for lower than $1 million in opposition to the wage cap may very well be a boon for a membership that should discover bargains.

Gamers like Logan O’Connor, Sam Malinski and Ivan will help make up for the quantity of draft capital the Avs have dealt away lately. Subsequent season might be an enormous one for the child with two first names and the instruments to be one other undrafted success story.

“There have been loads of takeaways that I’m going to undergo this summer season. The large factor is consistency. It’s the factor each participant has to work on. You must attempt to keep on the identical line, as an alternative of getting loads of ups and downs,” he stated.

“I’ve bought to be extra offensive. I believe my defensive recreation was actually good, however my offensive recreation was a little bit worse. I must get stronger, get my head in the appropriate place and simply be extra constant.”

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Initially Revealed: Could 21, 2025 at 4:52 PM MDT