Avalanche Development Camp 3-on-3 Game Notes and Observations; Conor Timmins cracks a smile

FORT COLLINS – Just drove back from the Mad Max Highway of Death, aka I-25 North-South from Thornton. Speed limit is 75, and if that’s all you’re going, be prepared to be practically run off the road. Three major accidents in the drive that I passed, with my kid and his buddy in tow, including an RV on fire. Hope everyone’s OK.

I was at the 3-on-3 Avs Development Camp scrimmage game finale, and it was fun. Burgundy beat White, 8-7 in a shootout. Joe Sakic, Jared Bednar and the rest of Avs management was there, including a new employee in the Avs’ player development staff, Steve Reinprecht. Remember him? Member of 2001 Cup team, very important player. He was the alleged throw-in on the Rob Blake trade from Los Angeles, but he was much more than that. He really helped the Avs after Peter Forsberg was lost after the second round.

I want to focus first on Conor Timmins’ night. This was the first game of any kind he’s played in more than a year and, even though it was only 3-on-3, it was a pretty rugged game out there. The good news? Timmins looked great and, even better, said he felt great afterward.

“And she’s buying a Stairway to Heaven”

That was one great first step up on the stairway tonight. More still to climb, but this was great to see.