Graham Sward

March 2024 – The newest prospect in the Avs’ cupboard has been named to the WHL US Division All-Star Team. Sward’s 81 points in 66 games was second among league defensemen. This has eclipsed his previous career-high of 33 points, and the 20-year-old has also hit a new high in PIMs with 48 and shots with 158. Over-agers having breakout final campaigns certainly isn’t unusual, especially for larger players like Sward, but this bodes well for his chances of securing a pro contract with the Avs for 2024-25 to see what he can do in the AHL or ECHL. Hayden Soboleski

March 2024 – Sward has been traded to the Colorado Avalanche along with Yakov Trenin for a pick and Jeremy Hanzel. Pat Quinn

July 2022 – Sward has been selected by the Nashville Predators with the 146th overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft.

After going undrafted in 2021, most likely due to only having 11 games played, Sward bounced back in a big way for his DY+1. In 57 games with Spokane, he had ten goals and 43 points. His game still has flaws, but he could become a reliable bottom-pair defenseman if all goes according to plan. Getting some work in with Nashville’s development team will be crucial, especially for his skating. Curtis Rines