After an early exit from his first ever NHL training camp last September, High River's Conner Bleackley is ready to make an impression with the Colorado Avalanche this time around.

After being drafted by the Avalanche 23rd overall in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, Bleackley was returned to the Red Deer Rebels after Colorado's Head Coach, Patrick Roy, expressed his disappointment in Bleackley's conditioning level.

Nearly one year removed from his first training camp with the Avs, Bleackley says he put a special emphasis on training during this off-season.

"I think the results are showing right now," he says. "I also put a lot of time in with my skating this Summer, and think I've made little improvements. Always getting better every day is a goal of mine, and I'm just looking forward to putting it all on the ice in Colorado.

Entering his last season of eligibility in the WHL, the Rebels Captain is currently taking part in the team's training camp, and heads back to Colorado on Sep. 13 for the club's rookie camp.

Bleackley says he's set a lofty goal for himself this season.

"I'm just going to go in there, play my game, do everything I can, and make it as hard as possible for them to send me back to junior," he says. "My goal is to sign an entry-level deal when I'm there, and really make it hard for them to send me back, and really push for a spot on the club this year."

Should Bleackley be sent back to Red Deer, he'll return to captain the host team of the 2015 Memorial Cup, which he says creates a win-win situation for him.

"Taking it one day at a time is going to be huge, and for myself, staying focused on the next day and what's ahead," he says. "Whether I play in Colorado or come back (to Red Deer), whatever they feel is best for me, it's a real good situation either way."

In 154 games over four seasons with the Red Deer Rebels, Bleackley has notched 67 goals and 70 assists for 137 points.