Colorado signs Grigorenko

The Colorado Avalanche announced Thursday that the team has signed forward Mikhail Grigorenko to a one-year contract for the upcoming 2015-16 season.

 

Grigorenko, who was a restricted free agent, was acquired from Buffalo on June 26 along with defenseman Nikita Zadorov, forward J.T. Compher and a second-round pick (31st overall) in the 2015 NHL Draft. In exchange, the Avalanche traded forwards Jamie McGinn and Ryan O’Reilly to Buffalo.
 
Grigorenko, 21, was Buffalo’s first-round choice (12th overall) in the 2012 NHL Draft. He split this past season between the Sabres and the Rochester Americans. Grigorenko appeared in 25 games for Buffalo, tallying six points (3g/3a). The 6-foot-3, 209-pound center has played in 68 career NHL games, notching 14 points (6g/8a).
 
A native of Khabarovsk, Russia, Grigorenko won medals for his country at the 2012 (silver), 2013 (bronze) and 2014 (bronze) IIHF World Junior Championships. Prior to turning pro, Grigorenko played parts of three seasons of junior hockey for the Quebec Remparts (QMJHL), who were coached by current Avalanche Head Coach/Vice President of Hockey Operations Patrick Roy. In his first season with Quebec in 2011-12, Grigorenko was named to the QMJHL First All-Star Team, QMJHL All-Rookie Team and named the Canadian Hockey League Rookie of the Year.