When Cale Makar decided to go back to UMass for his sophomore season, it left many Colorado Avalanche fans disappointed. Most believed that Makar was ready to make the leap to the NHL and that another season in the NCAA wouldn't have much benefit.
Whether he was ready to turn pro or not, Makar spoke about a sense of unfinished business with his teammates. He spent the season dominating college hockey, winning the Hobey Baker Award and elevating the UMass program to a height they’ve never seen. Now, only three weeks removed from the Frozen Four Makar finds himself in the middle of the NHL’s Western Conference semifinal lining up against superstars like Erik Karlsson and Brent Burns.