Avalanche sign Alex Gagne to two-year, entry-level contract

The Colorado Avalanche signed defenseman Alex Gagne to a two-year, entry-level contract through the 2026-27 season.

The 23-year-old Gagne spent the 2024-25 season with the University of New Hampshire, captaining the team and finishing with a career-high 17 points (four goals, 13 assists) in 35 games. He was named to the Hockey East Third All-Star Team.

The Bedford, N.H., native spent four seasons with the University of New Hampshire, scoring seven goals and 41 assists for 48 points in 139 career NCAA games.

Before enrolling in college, Gagne played for the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders and Muskegon Lumberjacks in the United States Hockey League (USHL), scoring five goals and 29 assists for 34 points in 91 career games. His best season came in 2020-21, scoring three goals and 23 assists for 26 points in 53 regular-season games.

Originally drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the sixth round of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, Gagne became a free agent and signed with the Avalanche after not coming to terms with the Lightning.

Colorado finished the 2024-25 season with a 49-29-4 record and 102 points, third in the Central Division. They were eliminated in seven games by the Dallas Stars in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs by the Dallas Stars.

Nathan MacKinnon led the team in all offensive categories with 32 goals and 84 assists for 116 points. Defenseman Cale Makar, who won the 2024-25 Norris Trophy for the league’s top defender, finished with 30 goals and 62 assists for 92 points.

MacKenzie Blackwood finished as the team’s starting goalie, posting a 28-21-6 record with a .912 save percentage (SV%) and 2.55 goals against average (GAA).