Undrafted T.J. Hughes cracks Avalanche opening-night roster
The former Michigan star is slated to make his NHL debut Wednesday against the Kings, and he's expected to start on Colorado's top power-play unit.
T.J. Hughes went undrafted. On Wednesday night he is scheduled to line up on the Colorado Avalanche's top power-play unit.
The 24-year-old forward earned a spot on Colorado's opening-night roster after a strong training camp and preseason that included a hat trick. He is set to make his NHL debut when the Avalanche host the Los Angeles Kings to open the 2026-27 regular season. He is slated to join Nathan MacKinnon, Gabriel Landeskog, Martin Necas and Cale Makar on the first unit.
Colorado signed Hughes as a free agent in April after four seasons at the University of Michigan. He finished his college career with 179 points (69 goals, 110 assists). In his final season he had 22 goals and 35 assists in 40 games, was named Big Ten Player of the Year and helped lead the Wolverines to the Frozen Four.
He turned pro with the AHL's Colorado Eagles right after signing, scoring a goal and an assist in two regular-season games. He then put up 14 points (four goals, 10 assists) in 17 playoff games as the Eagles reached the Western Conference final.
Head coach Jared Bednar has pointed to Hughes' hockey sense and passing. At the start of camp, Bednar said he liked the way Hughes was pushing to make the team.
"He's been an active participant in his own development," Bednar said.
Hughes said his parents were the first people he called with the news, and they will be in the building Wednesday.
"It was great," Hughes said. "I was really excited to tell them, and they're going to be able to make it tomorrow, which is very exciting."
He credited the veterans around him for part of his growth.
"You just see what they do to have success, and see their habits, see their routines and that's my favorite part of it so far," Hughes said.
Landeskog, one of those veterans, said Hughes has made the most of his chance.
"Those are guys that are easy to root for," Landeskog said. "And [he] just wants to learn, wants to get better and we're just we're just lucky and happy to have him."
