Admittedly, Trent Daavettila said the Colorado Eagles got off to a “frustrating” start in the ECHL this season.

As the Eagles’ captain, Daavettila shoulders much of the blame and pressure for the team’s offensive woes.

“We’re outshooting teams and our special teams have been great, but 5-on-5, it just hasn’t been there,” Daavettila said. “For me, I also haven’t been putting the puck in the net as much as I’d like. I just need to simplify my game and keep working hard.”

Daavettila, a 31-year-old native of Howell, Mich., is now in his fourth season with the Eagles and said when he looked at his options over the summer, “I only wanted to play here.” Earlier this season, he played in his 200th career game in a Colorado uniform.

“My wife and family absolutely love it here,” Daavettila said. “The fans for our home games are great (at the Budweiser Events Center in Loveland) and the kids love going to games.”

Previously, Daavettila has skated in 22 games with five different American Hockey League teams, in addition to stints in the defunct International Hockey League and with the ECHL’s Kalamazoo Wings. He said knowing several former Eagles players have stayed in town after retiring from the game speaks volumes about the Northern Colorado area and he may wind up doing the same.

“We haven’t really thought that far ahead, to be honest with you,” admitted Daavettila. “This is just such a nice area and I can see why so many guys stick around. It’s a great place to raise a family.”

For the rest of the season, Daavettila envisions the Eagles coming out of their funk and making their presence felt.

“Our power play and penalty kill are both in the top five in the league and our goaltending has been solid for us,” Daavettila said. “Defensively, we are very strong in all three zones. I think if we keep playing our game, good things will happen. We’re definitely taking steps in the positive direction.”

Photo/Standout Imagery

— Matt Mackinder