The Colorado Avalanche announced on Saturday that they have signed college free agent forward TJ Hughes to a one-year, entry-level contract beginning in the 2026-27 season.
Hughes will join the AHL’s Colorado Eagles on an AHL professional tryout agreement for the remainder of the campaign.
We have signed Michigan forward TJ Hughes to a one-year, entry-level contract beginning in the 2026-27 season.
— P - Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) April 11, 2026
He will join the Colorado Eagles on an AHL Professional Tryout agreement (PTO) for the remainder of the 2025-26 season. pic.twitter.com/dJpTyEZrY4
He was one of three finalists this year for the Hobey Baker Award as the top player in NCAA men’s Division I hockey but was edged out by University of Minnesota Duluth forward Max Plante on Friday night.
Hughes led Michigan in scoring this season with 21 goals and 56 points in 39 games to finish second in the nation.
He captained Michigan to a 29-7-1 record this season to finish as the No. 1 seed entering the Frozen Four tournament.
Hughes recorded a goal against Denver in the Frozen Four semifinals on Thursday but his team ended up falling 4-3 in double overtime to end their run.
The 24-year-old played four seasons in Michigan, recording 102 goals and 179 points in 156 career college games and is the Big 10’s all-time leading scorer.
Prior to joining the University of Michigan, Hughes played for the Brooks Bandits of the Alberta Junior Hockey league and recorded 66 goals and 127 points in 60 games during the 2021-22 campaign.
The Hamilton, Ont., native also took part at the 2026 Spengler Cup, represented the U.S. Collegiate Selects in a second-place finish.
