SportsPreview
The biggest question facing every WNBA team in training camp
WNBA training camps open with key questions for each team.
ESPN News1 min read
Sports
Colorado lands top NCAA free agent prospect
TL;DR
T.J. Hughes, a top NCAA free agent prospect and captain of the University of Michigan hockey team, has signed a one-year entry-level contract with the Colorado Avalanche. He will join the Colorado Eagles on a professional tryout for the remainder of the 2025-2026 season.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 09: T.J. Hughes #13 of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates his goal against the Denver Pioneers in the first period during the NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Frozen Four semifinal at the T-Mobile Arena on April 9, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images) | Getty Images
With the University of Michigan’s season in the Frozen Four coming to an end at the hands of the eventual NCAA champion DU Pioneers a couple of days ago, TJ Hughes signed a one-year entry-level contract with the Colorado Avalanche. The contract will begin in the 2026-2027 NHL season, with Hughes joining the Colorado Eagles on a PTO for the remainder of the 2025-2026 season.
Hughes has played for the University of Michigan since the 2022-2023 season and has been widely considered a top NCAA free-agent prospect as well. This past season with Michigan, Hughes was the captain of the team and logged a total of 57 points in 40 games played for the Wolverines.
We won’t see Hughes in action for the Avs this season, as he is joining the Eagles for the remainder of the season, of course. But it’ll be exciting to see him get in some AHL games and see how he fares in that system and environment after playing in the NCAA for four years.
Q&A
What are T.J. Hughes' statistics from his final season at the University of Michigan?
In his final season, T.J. Hughes recorded 57 points in 40 games played.
When will T.J. Hughes officially start playing for the Colorado Avalanche?
T.J. Hughes' contract with the Colorado Avalanche will begin in the 2026-2027 NHL season.
What is a professional tryout (PTO) and how does it relate to T.J. Hughes?
A professional tryout (PTO) allows players like T.J. Hughes to join the Colorado Eagles for the remainder of the 2025-2026 season to gain experience before officially starting their NHL contract.
