Updated April 11, 2026, 5:07 p.m. ET
Michigan hockey’s All-American has landed with an NHL franchise.
The Colorado Avalanche announced the signing of former Michigan ahead T.J. Hughes to a one-year, entry-level contract starting within the 2026-27 season. For now, Hughes is heading to the Colorado Eagles, the Avalanche’s AHL affiliate, for the remainder of the 2025-26 season.
Hughes, 24, had a team-leading 57 factors in 40 video games for the Wolverines, who lost to Denver 4-3 in double extra time within the nationwide semifinal of the 2026 NCAA Hockey Tournament on Thursday, April 9. Hughes was named to the All-American West first workforce on Friday, April 10, and was certainly one of three finalists for the 2026 Hobey Baker Award, given to Minnesota Duluth sophomore Max Plante.
Hughes performed at Michigan for 4 seasons from 2022-26 and led the workforce in factors every of the final two seasons. The Wolverines went to the Frozen Four in three of Hughes’ 4 campaigns, however misplaced within the semifinal every time.
The Avalanche have been one of many NHL’s most achieved franchises of the 2020s, amassing 100-point campaigns in every of the final 5 seasons and successful the 2022 Stanley Cup Final in six video games over the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The Avalanche function two different former Wolverines on their roster, ahead Gavin Brindley and defender Nick Blankenburg. Brindley and Hughes have been on the Wolverines’ roster from 2022-24 earlier than Brindley jumped to the professionals.
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You can attain Christian at cromo@freepress.com.
