Former University of North Dakota standout Rocco Grimaldi is a 5-foot-6 Avalanche prospect from Anaheim, Calif. Boston native Joe Whitney, also a 5-6 forward hoping to latch on with Colorado, played four years at Boston College.

Differing backgrounds did not deter the two proud Italians and fire-hydrant forwards from becoming buddies on their professional journeys. Their diminutive height is a source of celebration at this level.

“We all stick together,” said Whitney, whose mother is from Boston’s Tecce family, which ran the now-defunct Joe Tecce’s Restaurant — a North End landmark before the Big Dig. “Any time you see a smaller guy around the league, you kind of have a bond automatically. Even the strength coach here, Casey (Bond), we stick together and joke around.”

From afar, it’s difficult at first to distinguish the difference between Grimaldi (180 pounds) and Whitney (170) when they’re skating. Same height and similar builds; extremely quick and gifted with the puck. But Grimaldi is a right-handed shot and Whitney is a lefty. Still, there is confusion.

“I’m sure we’ll get mixed up a lot,” Grimaldi said. “One of the ladies at the hotel breakfast said, ‘Hey Rocco, how’s your wife doing?’ And ‘Whits’ said, ‘No, I’m not Rocco.’ ”

Age separates Grimaldi and Whitney by five years. Grimaldi was born Feb. 8, 1993 and Whitney on Feb. 6, 1988. When Whitney helped lead BC to the national championship at the 2008 Frozen Four in Denver, Grimaldi hadn’t yet begun his two-year stint with the U.S. National Development Program in Ann Arbor, Mich.

Whitney has fond memories of Denver. In addition to producing two points, including a goal, in the 2008 title game, he and the Eagles played multiple times in the old Denver Cup, the University of Denver-hosted tournament between Christmas and New Year’s Day.

“I like this place a little bit,” Whitney said Denver. “I’ve had a lot of fun here.”

“I almost went to Denver,” said Grimaldi, who considered the Pioneers before choosing the formerly named Fighting Sioux. “It’s an unbelievable city. It’s been a lot of fun the last couple weeks since I’ve been here.”

Grimaldi was acquired over the summer from the Florida Panthers for goalie Reto Berra, and Whitney signed as a free agent. They both likely will begin the season with the Avs’ American Hockey League affiliate in San Antonio and hope for a call-up to Colorado.

“It’s nice to come in with new players, new coaches, new management and try to fit in and find a role,” Grimaldi said. “I’m sure ‘Whits’ feels the same way.”

Grimaldi has played in 27 career NHL games, including 20 last season with the Panthers. He was Florida’s second-round selection (33rd overall) in the 2011 draft. Whitney went undrafted but has signed as a free agent with the New Jersey Devils and New York Islanders. He has put up big numbers in the AHL but only played five career NHL games, each with the Devils.

New Avalanche coach Jared Bednar, who was hired after the team picked up Grimaldi and Whitney, said he enjoys coaching the undersized forwards.

“Those guys have been playing at their size their whole life. They may have a different technique defending, but the end game is still the same: they have to use their quickness to their advantage and sometimes be smarter than a bigger guy,” Bednar said. “I think both those guys have good quickness, real good instincts. Those guys wouldn’t be here if they hadn’t got the job done their whole career.”