Avalanche re-sign Grimaldi, add Graham

Photo: Darren Abate

The Colorado Avalanche announced today that the team has re-signed forward Rocco Grimaldi and signed defenseman Jesse Graham each to a one-year contract for the 2017-18 season.

Grimaldi, 24, spent the majority of the 2016-17 season with the San Antonio Rampage, where he led the club with 31 goals (tied for third in the AHL) and 55 points in 72 games. He also appeared in four games for the Avalanche, tallying one assist.

Originally selected by the Florida Panthers in the second round (33rd overall) of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, Grimaldi was acquired by Colorado on June 23, 2016. The Anaheim, California, native has appeared in 31 career NHL games with the Panthers and Avalanche, recording four goals and three assists for seven points. He also dressed in two playoff games for Florida.

In his AHL career, Grimaldi has skated in 188 games with San Antonio and Portland, registering 61 goals and 69 assists for 130 points. Internationally, Grimaldi helped Team USA win gold at the 2013 IIHF World Junior Championship in Russia, and was part of the United States’ gold medal-winning teams at the 2010 and 2011 IIHF Under-18 World Championships.

Graham, 23, recorded two goals and seven assists for nine points in 19 AHL games for Bridgeport last season, adding six goals and 19 assists for 25 points in 24 contests with Missouri (ECHL).

Selected by the New York Islanders in the sixth round (155th overall) of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, Graham has totaled 11 goals and 38 assists for 49 points in 117 career AHL games, all with Bridgeport.