Grigorenko excited to play for Roy after trade to Avalanche

Mikhail Grigorenko, who was sent to the Colorado Avalanche along with Nikita Zadorov, J.T. Compher and the 31st pick in the 2015 NHL draft in the trade that sent Ryan O'Reilly to the Buffalo Sabres, is hoping to jump start his career after reuniting with a familiar face.

Avalanche head coach Patrick Roy coached Grigorenko during their time together with the Quebec Remparts in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

"I can't wait for the opportunity to have him as a coach again," Grigorenko told The Denver Post on Wednesday. "I had my best years in Quebec, and it was great having Patrick as a coach. He was great to me and taught me a lot of things on and off the ice. I can't thank him enough for what he's done for me already, and I can't wait to have him as a coach again."

Grigorenko played 115 games for the Remparts, finishing with 85 goals and 93 assists. Roy coached Grigorenko in 92 of those games. Grigorenko recorded 70 goals and 69 assists in his time under Roy.

But Grigorenko hasn't been able to translate that success to the NHL just yet. The 21-year-old hasn't played in more than 25 games in a single season, and has a career-high of just six points.

Grigorenko has primarily played for the AHL's Rochester Americans, scoring 14 goals and 36 points in 43 games this past season. It was enough for the Avalanche to offer Grigorenko a one-year, one-way contract on July 15, proving that Colorado sees him as an NHL-caliber player.

"I'm really glad we were able to get the deal done real quick," Grigorenko said. "I'm really excited for this opportunity and I look at it like a really good chance for me to become a full-time NHL player by having a good season and go from there. Hopefully, we'll be able to sign a longer deal."

(h/t NHL)

Photo Credit: Photo by Bill Wippert/NHLI via Getty Images