Amid 56 colored sweaters and elite hockey biographies, Jack O’Brien stood out at Avalanche training camp.
The right-winger was the youngest player on the roster — the only one born in 2003 — and the only Denver native.
O’Brien, 18, was born into burgundy and blue. Highlands Ranch is home. He wore No. 19 growing up for the Littleton Hawks and Krivo School of Hockey in honor of Joe Sakic. He wears No. 92 for major-junior’s Portland Winterhawks in honor of Gabe Landeskog.
His dream was to play for the Avalanche, and he got that chance in last week’s rookie showcase in Arizona, where the young Avs played against peers from the Los Angeles Kings, Anaheim Ducks and San Jose Sharks.