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Colorado Avalanche
RiegerLorenz
LWAge: 22185 CM83 KGCAN CAN
61PNHLe
Rieger Lorenz
NHLNHL Draft2022, MIN (56th overall)2nd round, 24th pick
THLTHL Draft2022, PIT (50th overall)2nd round, 18th pick

Projected potential

Bio

Quick-footed two-way forward with high-end compete and net-front abilities. Offensive tools need work, but could become a decent complementary middle-six piece.

PNHLe

Projected potential: 61 · 2nd Line Potential2025-26 · NCAA · Univ. of Denver

What is PNHLe?

PNHLe is an offensive stat that is used to project a player’s point potential at the NHL level and is meant to standardize a variety of leagues so that prospects can be compared from one league with another.

PNHLe attempts to equalize all leagues, age and positions so that the offensive potential of a prospect can easily be compared with others, while also projecting future NHL point potential in the prime years of a player.

The problem with NHLe

The premise of the NHLe stat is certainly a great idea. If a player jumps directly from one league to the NHL there should be some precedent set by historical values that would indicate how many points that player should project to having in a full NHL season. However, it always bothered me that NHLe never took into account that younger players in the same league would always have a massive disadvantage compared to those that have more experience and are physically more mature in the same league. NHLe only looks at the present to predict how many points in one league are equated at the NHL level.

NHL Certainty
6.5
65% odds
Odds of becoming a full-time NHL player (10.0 = 100%). Draft guideline is a starting point and should rise as the prospect proves himself.
Upside
5.0
 
Best-case offensive upside (peak season points potential). Forwards: 8.0 ≈ 80 points. Defense and goalie scales differ.

Scouting Feed

Lorenz wrapped his junior year at Denver University with 20 points (six goals, 14 assists) in 44 games. While his offensive numbers dipped from the prior season, he continued to get steady opportunity with the fourth most total time on ice for forwards, even though he only managed the eighth most time on ice on the power play. He earned NCHC Forward of the Week honors midseason after a two-goal game against Omaha and remained a dependable two-way presence for the Pioneers. His season reinforced his value as a reliable secondary scorer with NHL upside, though the question remains whether he can take his offensive game to the next level consistently.

Lornez signed a two-year contract extension with the Minnesota Wild in April 2026. His deal carries an average annual value (AAV) of $1.01M and runs through the 2027-28 season. Lorenz finished his final season at Denver University by scoring 17 goals and recording 35 points in 43 games. The 22-year-old center joined the Iowa Wild (AHL) for the final three games of the regular season, but did not record a point. With Minnesota’s NHL looking at a Stanley Cup run next fall, expect to see the Canadian back in Iowa this fall.

Lorenz was a second round draft pick for Minnesota in the 2022 NHL Draft and his first season after being drafted definitely didn’t go as well as planned. The power winger played for the University of Denver in the NCAA and managed to put up only nine points in 37 games as a rookie. Although he still has potential to become an NHL player, all eyes will be on what he can do in his second season in the NCAA during the 2023-24 season.

The Minnesota Wild have selected Lorenz in the second round of the 2022 NHL Draft, 56th overall.

Lorenz finished his 2021-2022 campaign by leading his Okotoks Oilers team in points by a margin of 26, with 38 goals and 47 assists in 60 games. His entire team fell off in the postseason, as the prospect only managed 11 points in 14 games but still led his squad in total tallies. Although he played in the AJHL this past season, which could hurt his draft stock, Lorenz has already committed to the University of Denver for next season and will be plying his trade against men in the NCAA. It’s a major leap, but one that will shed a light on the kind of player he projects to be.

The 6-foot-2, 185-pound prospect uses his frame in order to create space for himself around the net and on the boards, cutting inside with his decent edges to create quick offense out of tight quarters. He has great top speed as well, which he uses to beat defenders wide and drive the net. His defensive game is also refined, and he shows tremendous compete when chasing down carriers or loose pucks on both ends of the ice. If he can refine his puck skills and become a shooting threat from mid-range, as well as being able to cross seams with his playmaking, there could be a hidden gem here. He’s projected to be a second-round pick, and could have a middle-six power-forward role waiting for him in the NHL.



Career Stats
SeasonTypeLeagueTeamGPGAP+/-PIMPPGSHGSOG
2013-14RegularBrick InvitationalTeam Brick Alberta61344
2013-14PlayoffsBrick InvitationalTeam Brick Alberta20002
2016-17RegularWSI U13Western Canada Selects U13946104
2017-18RegularAMBHLCalgary Northstars U15 AAA369233236
2017-18PlayoffsAMBHLCalgary Northstars U15 AAA20114
2018-19RegularCSSHL U15Edge School U15 Prep3011253614
2018-19RegularAlberta CupTeam Alberta Green548126
2018-19RegularCSSHL U16Edge School U16 Prep63362
2018-19RegularWSI U15Western Canada Selects U1574262
2018-19PlayoffsCSSHL U15Edge School U15 Prep31452
2019-20RegularCSSHL U18Edge School U18 Prep3537357240
2019-20RegularAJHLOkotoks Oilers10002
2019-20PlayoffsCSSHL U18Edge School U18 Prep10000
2020-21RegularAJHLOkotoks Oilers72134
2021-22RegularAJHLOkotoks Oilers6038478554
2021-22RegularWJC-18Canada U18404462
2021-22PlayoffsAJHLOkotoks Oilers1429118
2022-23RegularNCAAUniv. of Denver37279020
2023-24RegularNCAAUniv. of Denver441614302110
2024-25RegularNCAAUniv. of Denver44614201418
2025-26RegularNCAAUniv. of Denver431718352538
2025-26RegularAHLIowa Wild3000-44