Undrafted Captain Ready for NHL | Colorado Avalanche News

T.J. Hughes, an undrafted college free agent and Michigan Wolverines captain, is poised to make his NHL debut with the Colorado Avalanche — a team he spent nearly a full season impressing through intense scouting and personalized development. Despite being undrafted, Hughes earned serious consideration from Avalanche brass, including assistant GM Kevin McDonald and veteran Andrew Cogliano, who saw his smart, fast game as a perfect fit for their system. Now signed to a one-year entry-level deal, Hughes isn’t just hoping to crack the roster — he’s aiming for top-six ice time right out of camp. Already skating with the team and participating in rookie tournaments, Hughes gained crucial pro experience with the AHL’s Colorado Eagles during the playoffs, giving him a head start before training camp. With open spots on the roster and the Avalanche set to begin their regular season on September 30th, Hughes could be suiting up in the NHL sooner than most undrafted players ever dream of. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/7ee5d1d6b46ed57d