The Colorado Avalanche made a late summer signing, just not the one we were expecting.
As the organization continues to find new ways to add to a shallow prospect pool, the cohort of unsigned NCAA players must have piqued their interest. After the August 15th deadline passed, the Tampa Bay Lightning relinquished their rights to 23-year-old defenseman Alex Gagne, who they selected in the sixth round of the 2021 draft at 192nd overall. The Avalanche pounced and inked Gagne to a two-year Entry Level Contract beginning this season.
The six-foot-five left shot defenseman just completed a four-year career at the University of New Hampshire including the last two as captain. Gagne set career highs in both points with 17 and goals at four in his senior season. He will likely find a place on the Colorado Eagles blueline this coming season and hope to earn a call-up.
In other prospect news, concerning another large defenseman, in fact, 2025 fourth round pick Linus Funck has departed Sweden and signed with the London Knights in the OHL. An opportunity with the defending Memorial Cup champions should help facilitate the six-foot-three right shot blueliner’s development and no doubt the Avalanche are happy to keep a close watch on him as he plays in North America. This was all likely the plan when Colorado selected Funck in June.