Avs Ink Three Goalies

The Colorado Avalanche have announced that they have signed goaltenders: Sami Aittokallio, Kent Patterson and Kieran Millan to entry level contracts.

The 19-year-old Finnish goaltender; Sami Aittokallio backstopped Finland to a 4th place finish at the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championships. He had a record of 3-2-0 at the tournament with a 2.52 goals against average, .937 save percentage and one shutout. He played in 11 games for Ilves in the SM-liiga, the professional league in Finland. He played great in the men's league posting a goals against average of 2.82 and a .910 save percentage. He was drafted 107th overall by the Avalanche in the 2010 NHL draft.

Kent Patterson, 22, was drafted 113th overall by the Avalanche in 2007. He just finished his senior year at the University of Minnesota. He played four years at Minnesota. The St. Louis Park, Minnesota native had a very successful season for the Gophers this year. He posted a 28-14-1 record with a 2.32 GAA, .907 save percentage and 7 shutouts. He led his team from the crease to the WCHA regular season championship and a berth to the NCAA Frozen Four Tournament. Patterson was named to the 2011-12 WCHA First All-Star Team and the ACHA/CCM All American West Second Team. His seven shutouts set a new school record and he was tied for the NCAA lead in shutouts. His 28 wins ranked second in the nation. Over his four years at the University of Minnesota, he had a record of 44-29-9, 2.46 GAA and a .912 save percentage.

The 124th selection by the Colorado Avalanche in the 2009 NHL draft was Kieran Millan. He just completed his fourth and final season at Boston University. Millan has been the starting goalie for the Terriers each of the four seasons. He had a good 2011-12 season with a record of 20-14-1, 2.60 GAA, .923 save percentage and 3 shutouts. He was named BU's MVP for the second year in a row. As a freshmen, in the 2008-09 season he backstopped the Terriers to an NCAA Championship and he was named the Hockey East Rookie of the Year. Over his four season at BU he posted a record of 81-42-12. He set the school record for most all-time wins by a goaltender.

Avalanche General Manager Greg Sherman released this statement today, "Our organization is excited to be signing three of our top goaltending prospects. All these players had success at the college or international level and we look forward to seeing them at training camp."

Avalanche Signing Rating: A, lots of potential in these young goaltenders, could turn into great NHL goaltenders