LOVELAND, Colo. — The Colorado Eagles set a high bar last season by winning the Pacific Division for the first time since joining the AHL in 2018. The Abbotsford Canucks (VAN) eliminated them in the Division Finals during the playoffs last year and want nothing but to get back. It will be a Calder or bust this season for the Eagles with 22 returning players on the roster this season. The AHL is a league that is known for high turnover, so this is unusual to have this many players returning.
“This year, I think we got a really good team,” said forward Tye Felhaber. “We got a lot of returning guys, but the new guys that we’re bringing in are strong. I think, anything but a Calder Cup would be a failure. I think, because we got such a great team and we want to make the most of it. And then with the fans behind us, I think they’re in for a really good season.”
The players felt they had not finished their work. Yes, the Eagles lost to the eventual Calder Cup champions, but that will not make it feel any better. Colorado had the best home record in the American Hockey League with a 26–6–2–2 record. A testament to the fanbase in Northern Colorado. Several players have said that they played in Colorado because of the fanbase.
The Eagles take a three goal lead on the power play after Miner makes an awesome breakaway stop. Tye Felhaber rips his fourth of the playoffs with the help of T.J. Tynan (2) and Oskar Olausson (3). #Avs #GoAvsGo #EaglesCountry @HockeyMtnHighCO pic.twitter.com/RU3EJJceYR
— Brennan Vogt (@brennan_vogt) May 24, 2025
The motivation for players not to let a repeat of last season is there. They have taken lessons from the loss against Abbotsford and will use that to their advantage. The Colorado Avalanche playoff loss to the Vegas Golden Knights in 2021 is a comparable experience. It gave the Avalanche the fuel they needed to push themselves to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2022 and win it.
Tye Felhaber with the quick shot on the PP for the Eagles to take a late lead in the 3rd period! Assisted by Matthew Phillips (5) and Bryan Yoon (1) #Avs #GoAvsGo #EaglesCountry @HockeyMtnHighCO pic.twitter.com/sq1Fdsps5c
— Brennan Vogt (@brennan_vogt) May 8, 2025
“I thought it was a really good learning experience for us all over the ice, defensive, offensive, capitalizing on your opportunities,” Felhaber said. “Just showing how every battle matters. I know it’s a long season, but just taking that into the season and kind of having that in your gut where you know you just came up short. You don’t want to let that happen again.”
There is a fire in Blue Arena that the American Hockey League has never seen before. A motivation from the management, coaches and the players to push the team further than they all have been. They want to push themselves further than the Division Finals this season. The Eagles feel like there is one banner missing from the rafters in Blue Arena. They want a Calder Cup banner to hang from the rafter and bring another trophy to the city of Loveland.
