"Devon is a smart, two-way, puck-moving defenseman who plays 20-plus minutes a night," said Avalanche Executive Vice President / General Manager Joe Sakic. "He is a durable defender who is excellent in transition and we are excited to add him to our blueline."
Selected by the Islanders in the fourth round (108th overall) of the 2014 NHL Draft, Toews has recorded 46 points (11g/35a) in 116 career NHL regular season contests and added 15 points (3g/12a) in 30 Stanley Cup Playoff games.
Toews (pronounced: deh-VAHN TAYVS) made his NHL debut on Dec. 23, 2018 at Dallas and spent the rest of the 2018-19 campaign with the Islanders, recording 18 points (5g/13a) in 48 games. He also dressed in eight playoff contests during the 2019 postseason and led all team defensemen with five points (1g/4a).
Toews began his professional career with the American Hockey League's Bridgeport Sound Tigers in 2016-17, collecting 45 points (5g/40a) in 76 games en route to being named to the AHL All-Rookie Team. Toews, who played in the 2016-17 AHL All-Star Game, led all rookies in assists that year while his 45 points tied for first among rookie defensemen. He registered 86 total points (18g/68a) in 130 AHL games with Bridgeport.
The 6-foot-1, 196-pound rearguard played three seasons at Quinnipiac University (ECAC) from 2013-16, where he totaled 67 points (12g/55a) in 108 collegiate games. He was named to the ECAC Second All-Star Team following his third and final season of 2015-16. Prior to enrolling at Quinnipiac, Toews played two years with the Surrey Eagles of the British Columbia Hockey League. He was selected to the BCHL All-Rookie Team in 2011-12 and followed that up by being named to the BCHL (Coastal) First All-Star Team and garnering BCHL (Coastal) Best Defenseman honors in 2012-13.
