First Look: Sean Behrens

This is the third in a series of in-depth profiles covering each member of the Colorado Avalanche 2021 draft class. The entire series can be found HERE.

In his short time as part of the Avalanche organization Sean Behrens has been a pleasant surprise in more ways than one. First, just the ability for Colorado to make the selection at 61st overall was an unexpected development due to the Ryan Graves trade to New Jersey just days before the expansion draft. And also the fact that Behrens was available at the tail end of the second round. The spectrum of rankings for Behrens ranged from 50th overall by TSN’s Bob McKenzie to 24th on Central Scouting’s North American skaters list.

As someone who will fit in very well with the Avalanche core of defensemen, Behrens is a left shot puck moving defenseman who stands at 5-foot-10 and 174 lbs. He has an unexpected physical streak for someone of his size and combines that feistiness with strong skating ability to put together a total package of intriguing attributes. Behrens is also not shy with the puck and is always looking to make plays with an aggressive touch and uses his plus skill to create scoring chances. While he does prefer to make plays and execute passes, Behrens can put the puck in the net.

Behrens was part of the storied US National Team Development Program for his last two years of junior hockey. His first season in 2019-20 was mainly with the U17 group where Behrens scored 37 points in 45 games but received six games of callup time with the U18 team. Then the following year in 2020-21 Behrens was on the U18 team full-time and posted a very familiar stat line of 35 points in 46 games.

As a member of “the program” naturally Behrens has been a staple of the team USA national teams in major competitions. At the World U18 Championship, which is the pinnacle for draft eligible players, Behrens posted four points in five games and tied him for third on the team in points while wearing a letter. Previously at the U17 in 2019 Behrens had a breakout performance with eight points in six games which tied him on the team for second most productive.

Behrens enters the 2021-22 season as a freshman at the University of Denver which gives the Avalanche their first NCAA prospect right in their own backyard since Will Butcher. Behrens seems to have settled into his role with the Pioneers quite nicely and had a pair of assists in their opening weekend including this beautiful give-and-go.

Behrens was just getting things started as he was just named NCHC defenseman of the week after a four assist weekend and has opened the season with six points in four games. The Pioneers have him skating on the top pair and receiving major power play time. Behrens could be in line for a monster year in just his freshman season if this type of production continues. Just for comparison Will Butcher put up 16 points in his freshman campaign at DU after leaving the NTDP on the way to eventually winning the Hobey Baker award as a senior.

A plausible development path for Behrens should include an invitation to join Team USA at either of the next two upcoming World Junior Championships. He has a decent shot this year after an encouraging showing at the Summer Showcase against the visiting teams from Finland and Sweden as well as with the nice start to his NCAA career. If not now then Behrens can try again next year in his 19-year old season and final year of eligibility but he should be on the short list of options on the left side of the blue line especially as a NTDP graduate who is very familiar to the program.

Two years in college is a logical expectation for Behrens but there probably will be some consideration for him to turn pro after his freshman season especially if this hot start continues. Continued growth and the details of his game will determine how ready he is for the pro jump but if Behrens goes back to school for a second season like Cale Makar did would likely be a benefit. A longer college path such as the one enabled by fellow defense prospect Drew Helleson who has just started his junior year is a possibility as well but since production and minutes are already finding Behrens a shorter path to pro could already be on the horizon.