The Colorado Avalanche signed defenseman Alex Gagne on Monday to a two-year, entry-level contract.
Gagne, 23, spent four years at New Hampshire and was the team’s captain this past season. He was also a sixth-round pick by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2021 NHL draft, but chose not to sign with the club. That made Gagne an unrestricted free agent this past Friday.
The 6-foot-5, 225-pound defenseman had four goals and 17 points in 35 games for the Wildcats this past season.
Colorado has had recent success mining for hidden gems in the college free agent market, most notably Logan O’Connor and Sam Malinski on the current roster. Given the number of draft picks and prospects the club has traded away in recent years, signing college players who either weren’t drafted or were and waited four years to become a UFA has been a way for the Avs to replenish their young talent pool.
Gagne will likely start his pro career with the Colorado Eagles in the AHL. The Avs also signed 26-year-old Ronald Attard to a two-way contract, who should play a lot for the Eagles, this offseason. One of the club’s top prospects, former University of Denver defenseman Sean Behrens, will also be back after missing all of last season with a knee injury.
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