Highlands Ranch, Colo. – An exciting weekend for hockey fans showcased three teams, each with shining stars fully capable of playing at a higher level. The Vegas Golden Knights came away as the brightest squad, winning their first game 8-1 over the Utah Mammoth and their second 3-2 over the Colorado Avalanche.
As for Colorado, they went 1-1 this weekend with a 5-3 win over the Mammoth on Friday and a loss to Vegas on Sunday.
The Avalanche dressed a team made up of a mix of fresh and familiar faces alike, from 23-year-old Hank Kempf (D), who just signed an AHL contract with the organization after a stellar defensive NCAA career and earned a “C” during this showcase, to 22-year-old Sean Behrens (D), a 2nd round pick in the 2021 draft who spent all of last season injured (knee), to 19-year-old Asan Sarkenov (D), a camp invite who scored the first two goals of the weekend, to 21-year-old Nikita Prishchepov (F), who made his NHL debut during the 2024-25 season and spent a good portion of last season with the Colorado Eagles (AHL).
As mentioned above, Sarkenov was extended an invitation to Development Camp earlier this summer, and again for this Rookie Showcase. He started this showcase on the fourth line against the Mammoth and, after a stunning two-goal performance, played himself into a third-line slot against the Golden Knights.
Sarkenov, a Kazakhstan native, spent last season in the WHL with the Spokane Chiefs, where he posted 27 points (10g/17a). He’s set to play with the Chiefs again this upcoming season.
A big name that popped up this weekend was Hank Kempf, who spent his last four years playing for Cornell University. Aside from the well-timed snipe he had in Sunday’s game, he also captained Colorado’s rookie squad.
It was a tremendous honor to walk in the locker room [on Friday] and see that. I’m one of the older guys here, so it’s a tremendous honor and I try to just be vocal, keep the pace going, keep the good energy at practice throughout the week here. I’m just trying to have fun with it. – Hank Kempf on what it means to be a leader.
Kempf, a Wilmette, Illinois native, also wore a letter in his last year at Cornell and played in one game with the Eagles last season, where he collected an assist.
The standout this weekend, though, was Mark Letestu, who manned the bench as head coach for the first time with the Avalanche organization this weekend. He was hired by the organization back in July for the vacant Head Coaching position, previously held by long-time member of the organization Aaron Schneekloth, who was recently hired by the Seattle Kraken as an assistant coach.
Letestu spent the last two seasons as an assistant coach for the Cleveland Monsters, AHL affiliate of the Columbus Blue Jackets. Having been coaching since 2021, this will be his first position at the head of the coaching staff.
For me, [my goal] this weekend leading into an Eagles season was to try and develop some relationships with some of the guys that may be mainstays for us. Being new to the organization, you’re trying to build a rapport of how I behave and my expectations with them and I think some of that was accomplished. – Eagles HC Mark Letestu on his takeaways from this weekend as a new HC.
While he’s constantly keeping an eye on the talent he may have at his disposal next season, he’s also aware of the “big shoes” he has to fill following a historic postseason run for the Eagles last season.
Overall, the team came out of this weekend with lots of experience to take with them heading into Training Camp, which will start this week on Thursday, September 18th, at Family Sports Center.
Bookmark THN’s Colorado Avalanche site so you never miss the latest news surrounding the burgundy and blue!
Make sure you also bookmark The Hockey News to keep up on all things hockey, from NHL to AHL to PWHL and so much more!
