Avalanche Secure T.J. Hughes Signing
The Colorado Avalanche have signed forward T.J. Hughes to a one-year entry-level contract for the 2026-27 season. He will join the Colorado Eagles on an AHL professional tryout for the remainder of 2025-26.
The move illustrates Avalanche Secure T.J. Hughes Signing and adds collegiate scoring punch to the organization. The club will evaluate him at the pro level during the PTO.
College career
Hughes, 24, served as Michigan’s captain in 2025-26. He finished second nationally with 57 points in 40 games.
His totals included 22 goals and 35 assists. He set collegiate single-season highs in goals, assists and points.
Hughes earned First Team AHCA/CCM All-America honors and was named Big Ten Player of the Year. He also made the Big Ten First All-Star and All-Tournament teams, and was a Hobey Baker “Hat Trick” finalist.
Michigan tenure and leadership
He played four seasons at Michigan from 2022 to 2026. Across 156 games he compiled 179 points with 69 goals and 110 assists.
He led the team in scoring the last two seasons. Michigan reached the Frozen Four three times during his tenure, including a semifinal double-overtime loss to the University of Denver.
Junior career
A native of Hamilton, Ontario, Hughes starred for the Brooks Bandits in the AJHL from 2019 to 2022. In 138 regular-season games he scored 94 goals and added 100 assists.
He collected 23 points in 11 AJHL playoff games. Brooks won the Inter Pipeline Cup in 2022, a season in which Hughes led the league with 66 goals and earned AJHL Forward of the Year.
The prior season he won the Ernie Love Trophy for most points. He played one game for the Burlington Cougars in 2018-19 and spent two seasons in the GOJHL from 2017 to 2019.
Hughes was teammates with Avalanche prospect Gavin Brindley at Michigan from 2022 to 2024. He also skated with Avalanche prospect Taylor Makar in Brooks from 2019 to 2021.
Player profile and next steps
He is listed at six feet and 185 pounds. Scouts note his scoring instincts and leadership qualities.
Colorado signed him to an entry-level contract for 2026-27. He will report to the Colorado Eagles on an AHL PTO for the remainder of 2025-26, giving the organization an in-season look at his game.
