Avalanche draft Peters Township's Christian Humphreys in 7th round

LAS VEGAS — Christian Humphreys wasn’t at the NHL Draft in Nevada.

There were profound reasons to be elsewhere.

He was on vacation with his family in the Turks and Caicos.

“Whatever happens, happens,” Humphreys said by phone earlier this month. “It’s going to be great to spend family time. That’s the main reason I wanted to go.”

As for his status as a potential NHLer, Humphreys went in the seventh round to the Colorado Avalanche, who selected the forward No. 215 overall.

He learned of his potential new employer while surrounded by loved ones in a condo in the Bahamas.

“Just being with my family was awesome,” Humphreys said by phone Saturday evening. “It’s pretty hard to get to this point of my career, and just to share it with my family is a treat.”

Some outlets that cover draft-eligible prospects extensively had suggested the right-handed Humphreys (5-foot-11, 170 pounds) could be selected as early as the third round.

Humphreys admitted to some curiosity as to why he was selected as late as he was. At the same time, he reiterated a previously stated stance of tuning out any speculation with regard to rankings or mock drafts.

“It’s just getting your foot in the door,” the 18-year-old said. “Now, I’ve really got to show them who I am and make an impression. When Monday comes around for (the Avalanche’s) development camp, I’m just ready. Looking forward to it for sure.”

Humphreys’ next spot will be with the University of Michigan as he is committed to that school for the 2024-25 season.

He spent the 2023-24 campaign with the United States National Team Development Program. In 52 games with the program’s under-18 team last season, Humphreys scored 58 points (23 goals, 35 assists).

4:55-3rd | OZ face-off win by James Hagens leads to Christian Humphreys getting his second of the game. Gives @USAHockeyNTDP a 6-3 lead.#StarsRise | #HappyNewYear pic.twitter.com/yHB2Mdq4aE

— USHL (@USHL) December 28, 2023

This marks the third consecutive year a native of Western Pennsylvania has been selected in an NHL Draft.

In 2022, the Arizona Coyotes selected forward Logan Cooley, of West Mifflin, in the first round (No. 3 overall). Forward Brandon Svoboda, of Level Green, went to the San Jose Sharks in the third round (No. 71 overall) in 2023.

This small “surge” comes more than a decade after the celebrated 2011 NHL Draft that included forwards J.T. Miller (Coraopolis), Brandon Saad (Gibsonia), Vince Trocheck (Upper St. Clair) and goaltender John Gibson (Whitehall).

All-time, only 34 players with ties to Western Pennsylvania have been selected in the NHL’s 62 drafts.

It’s a select fraternity that now includes Humphreys.

“It’s just kind of sinking in right now,” Humphreys said. “It’s hard to not look up to (those selected in 2011). Younger kids are starting took look up at us now. Whether it’s (Cooley) or (Svoboda) or me, I think we try to set the best example we can for sure.”