Colorado Avalanche sign Peyton Jones

The Colorado Avalanche announced Thursday morning that they have signed goaltender Peyton Jones to a one year contract. Jones is expected to be sent down to the Eagles of the AHL before their training camp starts next week.

The 24-year old played four seasons in the NCAA at Penn State. He finishing his career as the program’s all-time leader in wins (76), saves (3,685) and shutouts (4) while posting a 2.88 goals-against average and .907 save percentage.

Jones has been playing this season with the Utah Grizzlies of the ECHL where he has a 4-2-2 record and a .889 sv%.

With this addition to the depth chart, it looks as though Hunter Miska will remain with the Avalanche as the 3rd goalie while Jones serves as the backup to Adam Werner in the AHL with the Eagles. Technically, Werner is still a part of the NHL taxi squad but it is expected that he will be sent down before camp starts in Loveland on the 25th.

With General Manager Joe Sakic signing another goalie for the AHL, it lends credence to the idea that he is happy running with Philipp Grubauer and Pavel Francouz as his NHL tandem - as long as they’re healthy.

Gruabuer has made all three starts for the team and has looked good so far this season. He is expected to make another start tonight in Los Angeles with the likelihood that we see Miska make a start for the Avalanche tomorrow night against the Anaheim Ducks. Francouz has been off the ice all week battling a lower-body injury. If he is forced to miss more than another few days, the Avalanche will need to bring in another body to fill a net at Eagles training camp since Werner will have to stay up with the NHL team.