Sean Behrens

October 2024 – After a Frozen Four championship, a promising AHL tryout, and a solid training camp, Behrens has suffered a season-ending knee injury. This is a tough news at a critical point in his career, and fantasy owners and real life scouts were eager to see what he could do with a full year in pro. Not only will his development be delayed a year, but by next season there’s a chance he will have more internal competition to deal with if Gulyayev comes to North America and/or Malinski holds onto his NHL role. At least he will have some good mentors in Denver on IR with him, he’s getting a head start and fitting in on the injury-prone squad. Hayden Soboleski

March 2024 – Behrens has been named NCHC Defensive Defenseman of the Year. This isn’t to say his offensive production has dipped – his 29 points in 40 games is tied for his career-high at the college level – but his ability to prevent and disrupt opponents’ opportunities is being recognized as among the best in his division. He continues to lead his squad in blocks, and has seen a surprising jump in PIMs this season with 53 (previous career-high was 29). He brings reliability and multi-cat value, making him a smart own in deep dynasty leagues despite likely being 1-2 years away from NHL time. Hayden Soboleski

December 2023 – The 2023-24 campaign has been more of the same for Behrens, which is what fantasy owners want to hear. His 17 points in 18 games is a career-high pace, and his 27 SOG and 25 blocks are slightly down but in the same range as his previously strong years as a confident puck-mover in both ends. The junior will be a likely candidate to turn pro at the conclusion of the college season, but like the majority of Colorado’s recent prospects expect him to be given (assigned?) ample pro adjustment time in the minors. Hayden Soboleski

February 2023 – Behrens has been named the NCHC Defenseman of the Week after putting up four points in two contests and contributing to highly successful PP and PK units. Hayden Soboleski

December 2022 – Behrens finished his 2021-22 rookie NCAA campaign with 29 points in 37 games for the University of Denver. He hasn’t quite picked up where he left off (currently sitting at 8 points in 14 contests as a sophomore), but he continues to be an assist machine and has earned another invitation to Team USA WJC camp. He has also apparently grown 1-2 inches depending on the source, up from 5-09 as listed when drafted. Unfortunately for Behrens, he shares the ice yet again with fellow offensive defenseman Michael Benning (FLA), so we likely won’t get to see what either can do with huge, undisputed minutes.  Hayden Soboleski

March 2022 – Behrens did not make the final cut for Team USA at the WJC but that has not slowed him down in college. He sits at three goals and 27 points in 30 games played, good for top-five among all NCHC d-men. He puts up nearly 2 shots and over 1 block per game in addition to his points, which may give him some multi-cat value despite being a smaller player. He will likely stick with the Denver Pioneers for at least another campaign, but his transition to college has been promising thus far. Hayden Soboleski

December 2021 – Fantasy riser alert – Behrens is having a breakout rookie campaign with the University of Denver with 13 points in 14 games (1st among rookie defenders in the NCHC). His mix of playmaking offensive and defusing defense has earned him an invite to the Team USA WJC selection camp. Still listed at 5’9″ he remains an undersized defender who will have to work twice as hard for the same amount of opportunity, but his passing vision has made him a legitimate prospect in the pipeline for the Avs. Hayden Soboleski

July 2021 – Behrens was selected in the second round, 61st overall by the Colorado Avalanche in the 2021 NHL Draft. Nick Richard

March 2021 – Behrens is an exciting defenseman who displays overall strong skating skills, which helps him succeed in the transition game. He isn’t lighting speed, but he is mobile and has good footwork, making him able to walk the blueline with ease. On top of his skating ability, he has nice puck control and hands to make plays in all areas of the ice, especially on the breakout. He has excellent vision and sees the ice well to make very good passes. Behrens can shoot the puck too, as his shot is accurate, but is definitely more of a passer. Even while being undersized, Behrens plays a great defensive game. He used his stick to break up plays and to push the puck up ice and out of the zone. He also has shown he can use his body as well. Overall, the University of Denver commit has the potential to be a solid defenseman at the next level. Clare McManus