Avalanche add Ambrosio
Colby Ambrosio’s lifelong dream became a reality Wednesday when the 18-year-old Welland native was selected in the fourth round (118th overall) of the National Hockey League draft by the Colorado Avalanche.
Ambrosio, who is in his freshman year at Boston College, learned the news in the middle of a team meeting.
“We had practice, so I was at the rink,” he said. “I was in a meeting with the players and coaches going over video and I heard a couple of guys in the lounge say, ‘Ambro,’ and then my phone started going off like crazy.
“I opened up my phone to see that Colorado took me and I was so pumped.”
When the meeting ended, Ambrosio hit the ice with the rest of his teammates but naturally, was distracted.
“I forgot to tape my shin pads and I only put one elbow pad on. I wasn’t thinking right. I was super excited.”
Once practice was over and he was able to digest the situation, only then could Ambrosio fully appreciate what happened.
“It’s definitely awesome and something I’ve been working toward my entire life, but the work just starts now,” he said.
Ambrosio then got another thrill we he received a call from Avalanche Executive Vice-President of Hockey Operations Joe Sakic.
“It was unbelievable. He’s one of the best players to ever play the game, so being on a call with him, I was shaking the whole time,” Ambrosio said. “I was trying to act like I wasn’t too nervous, but he could probably tell that I was.”
Ambrosio was pumped after hearing what the Avalanche said about him.
“They said they were super excited to have me on board and they liked the way I played the game and they think it fits their team very well.”
Ambrosio also felt the love from home, where friends and family sent hundreds of text messages of congratulations.
“About 10 minutes after I got picked, I had like 400 messages. I still haven’t got back to everyone. I’m just trying to do that now. That made me feel good to have all that support.”
Ambrosio grew up in a household dominated by Toronto Maple Leafs fans.
“I watched the Leafs all the time, but in the past few years I obviously didn’t have a favourite team. I just liked to watch players and I loved watching (Avs centre) Nathan MacKinnon, so that’s pretty cool.”
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