Avalanche Signs Sheldon Dries

Jul 25, 2019

by Colorado Avalanche @Avalanche / ColoradoAvalanche.com

The Colorado Avalanche Hockey Club announced today that the team has signed forward Sheldon Driesto a one-year contract for the upcoming 2019-20 season.

Dries, 25, recorded six points (3g/3a) in 40 games for the Avalanche this past season, his first in the NHL. He made the Avs' opening-night roster as a rookie and skated in his first NHL game in Colorado's season opener on Oct. 4 vs. Minnesota. Dries recorded his first NHL points with a goal and an assist on Nov. 1 at Calgary. The Macomb Township, Michigan, native also suited up in 25 contests for the American Hockey League's Colorado Eagles, tallying 11 points (3g/8a) and adding one point (1g/0a) in four playoff appearances.

Dries (pronounced dr-EYE-z) has produced 41 points (22g/19a) in 95 regular-season AHL games for the Eagles and the Texas Stars. In his first professional season in 2017-18, he notched 30 points (19g/11a) in 70 regular-season games for Texas and added 10 points (10g/0a) in 22 playoff contests for the Western Conference champions, leading all rookies in postseason goals.

Prior to signing with Texas as an undrafted free agent, Dries played four seasons at Western Michigan University, collecting 84 points (44g/40a) in 148 career outings and serving as the team's captain for three seasons. The 5-foot-9, 185-pound center earned National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) Second All-Star Team honors for his final campaign in 2016-17.

Dries played two full seasons for the Green Bay Gamblers of the United States Hockey League from 2011-13, recording 87 points (41g/46a) in 116 games and adding nine points (2g/7a) in 16 USHL postseason appearances.

by Colorado Avalanche @Avalanche / ColoradoAvalanche.com