Report: Avalanche To Sign Top College Free Agent From Michigan
Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images The Avalanche are expected to sign top college free agent T. J. Hughes, according to Sportsnet’s NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman.
Hearing Hamilton's TJ Hughes, a Hobey Baker finalist who played at Michigan, will be signing with the Colorado Avalanche. — Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) April 11, 2026 Hughes, 24, is regarded as the best unsigned college free agent from this year’s crop. He wrapped up his senior season with the Michigan Wolverines on Thursday following a 4-3 double overtime loss to Denver in the Frozen Four semifinal.
He scored the second Wolverines goal. Listed at 6-foot, 185 pounds, the forward registered career highs across the board this year, recording 22 goals, 35 assists, and 57 points in 40 games. It’s his third straight season with more than a point per game, following a successful 36-point freshman campaign in 39 games.
Prior to joining the Wolverines, Hughes spent three seasons with the Brooke Bandits of the Alberta Junior Hockey League — the same team Cale Makar played for when the Avalanche drafted him No. 4 overall in 2017. In 2021-22, Hughes obliterated his career highs with the Bandits, recording a whopping 66 goals and 61 assists for 127 points in 60 games.
He also had 12 goals and 11 assists in 11 playoff games. He joined the Wolverines the following season. The native of Hamilton, Ont.