Alexis Pepin is already having more of a physical start to this year’s hockey campaign than he did a year ago.
After being sidelined at the beginning of last season due to shoulder surgery, Pepin has since shed the red non-contact jersey he donned at Colorado Avalanche Training Camp last year and is a full participant at rookie camp.
“It feels really good,” the 19-year-old said after taking the ice on the first day of camp on Monday. “It’s different than last year since I got to do a full practice. It was tough for the first practice with the altitude and all that stuff, but I think it will be better as the week goes on.