As EA Sports College Football 25 is set to release this week, it presents a great opportunity to reflect on Avalanche players who once wore college uniforms prior to joining the Burgundy and Blue.

Now, let’s examine how the Avalanche is represented in NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey.

Cale Makar

Makar, chosen as the No. 4 pick in the 2017 NHL Draft, began his collegiate journey at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he wasted no time making his mark. In his freshman year during the 2017-18 season, Makar showcased his skills by tallying 21 points (5 goals and 16 assists), placing him fifth in team scoring. Recognizing his outstanding performance, he earned a spot on the Hockey East’s All-Rookie Team as well as the All-Star Third Team.

During the 2018-19 season, Makar achieved numerous accolades in the realm of college ice hockey. He was honored with the prestigious Hobey Baker Award, which recognizes the top men’s NCAA ice hockey player. Additionally, he was bestowed with the Hockey East Player of the Year title, becoming the first player in his school’s history to achieve either of these distinctions. Makar’s exceptional performance on the ice led him to secure the position of the nation’s third-leading scorer and the highest-scoring defenseman, with an impressive total of 49 points (16 goals and 33 assists). As a result of his outstanding contributions, Makar was recognized as a First Team All-American and earned a spot on the Hockey East’s All-Star First Team.

During Makar’s time in college, he played a crucial role in UMass’ journey to the NCAA Tournament. Within the span of four games, he contributed three points (1 goal and 2 assists) to their overall score. However, their pursuit of the National Championship came to an end when they were defeated by Minnesota-Duluth, marking the conclusion of Makar’s college career.

Makar’s exceptional college career foreshadowed his success in the NHL.

Casey Mittelstadt

Following his selection as the eighth overall pick by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2017 NHL Draft, Mittlestadt decided to pursue college hockey in his home state and enrolled at the University of Minnesota. During his freshman year in the 2017-18 season, Mittlestadt showcased his skills by accumulating 30 points (11 goals and 19 assists) in 34 games, placing him second in scoring on the team.

After an impressive performance, he secured a position on the Big Ten All-Freshman Team and was recognized as a finalist for the Big Ten Freshman of the Year award. Following his freshman year, he chose to sign with the Sabres, concluding his college career after the 2017-18 season.

Ross Colton

After being chosen as the 118th overall pick in the 2016 NHL Draft by the Tampa Bay Lightning, Colton enrolled at the University of Vermont and quickly made his mark on the ice. During his freshman season in 2016-17, he played in 33 games and recorded an impressive 27 points, with 12 goals and 15 assists. This performance placed him tied for first in goals and tied for second in points among his team members. Additionally, his outstanding skills earned him a spot on Hockey East’s All-Rookie Team.

Colton, who was a sophomore during the 2017-18 season, concluded his college career at Vermont by registering an impressive 16 goals and 23 points in 36 games, leading the team. Following this outstanding performance, he went on to sign with the Lightning.

Miles Wood

In the 2013 NHL Draft, the New Jersey Devils chose Wood as the 100th overall pick. He then embarked on his collegiate journey at Boston College during the 2015-16 season. Impressing as a freshman, Wood contributed significantly to the team’s success, accumulating 35 points (10g/25a) in 37 games. His remarkable performance played a pivotal role in Boston College’s advancement to the Frozen Four.

Wood left his home state to play in the show after signing with the Devils following his freshman season.

Devon Toews

Devon Toews, who would later be chosen as the 108th overall pick by the New York Islanders in the 2014 NHL Draft, demonstrated his skills on the ice during his time at Quinnipiac University. In his freshman year of 2013-2014, Toews contributed 17 points, with 1 goal and 16 assists, across 37 games. The following year, in 2014-2015, he continued to impress with 20 points, scoring 4 goals and providing 16 assists in 31 games. Remarkably, he ranked second among Quinnipiac defensemen in scoring for both seasons. Toews played a crucial role in his sophomore year, aiding Quinnipiac in reaching the NCAA Tournament.

In the 2015-16 season, Toews, as a junior, showcased his skills on the Quinnipiac defense by leading them in scoring with an impressive 30 points (7 goals and 23 assists) across 40 games. Despite their efforts, Quinnipiac fell short in the National Championship game against North Dakota. Toews received recognition for his outstanding performance, being named to the All-ECAC Hockey Second Team and earning a finalist spot for the prestigious ECAC Best Defensive Defenseman award.

Before signing with the Islanders, Toews accumulated a total of 67 points (12 goals and 55 assists) throughout three seasons, playing in 108 games.

Josh Manson

Manson was chosen by the Anaheim Ducks as the 160th overall pick in the 2011 NHL Draft. Following his selection, he enrolled at Northeastern University. During his freshman year in the 2011-12 season, he recorded four points (4 assists) in 33 games. In his sophomore season, he improved his performance by accumulating seven points (3 goals, 4 assists) in 33 games.

In the 2013-14 season, Manson was appointed as the captain. Throughout the season, he achieved 10 points (3 goals and 7 assists), earned recognition as a member of the Hockey East Second All-Star Team, and was titled Hockey East’s Best Defensive Defenseman.

Manson signed with the Ducks after tallying 21 points (6 goals and 15 assists) in 99 games for Northeastern.

Logan O’Connor

O’Connor began his collegiate hockey career at the University of Denver during the 2015-2016 season as a freshman. Throughout his three years at the university, he contributed four points (2 goals and 2 assists) in 23 games. In 2016, the Pioneers advanced to the Frozen Four but unfortunately fell short in the semi-final against North Dakota.

During his sophomore year, O’Connor showcased significant progress by participating in all 44 games for Denver. He contributed 18 points (7 goals and 11 assists), ultimately aiding his team in securing the 2017 National Championship. In the following season, O’Connor continued to advance as a junior, achieving 21 points (7 goals and 14 assists) in 41 games. His exceptional performance played a crucial role in Denver’s triumph at the NCHC Tournament, where he earned a spot on the All-Tournament Team. Unfortunately, the Pioneers’ pursuit of a consecutive National Championship, as well as O’Connor’s college career, concluded in the NCAA Regional Final with a loss to Ohio State.

During his tenure at Denver, O’Connor demonstrated remarkable discipline, accumulating only 25 penalty minutes, while contributing 43 points (16 goals and 27 assists) in 108 games.

Following his successful college career, O’Connor joined the Avalanche as an undrafted free agent.

Sam Malinski

Similar to O’Connor, Malinski entered college as an undrafted free agent. During his freshman year in 2019-2020 at Cornell University, Malinski recorded 16 points (4 goals and 12 assists) in 25 games. He then followed up with an impressive sophomore season in 2021-2022, where he scored 23 points (5 goals and 18 assists) in 32 games, leading to his recognition as a member of the 2022 All-ECAC Hockey First Team.

In the 2022-23 season, Malinski, a junior player, showcased exceptional performance as he topped the scoring charts among Cornell defensemen. With an impressive tally of 26 points (8 goals and 18 assists) across 34 games, Malinski stood out among his peers. Notably, he earned the esteemed honor of being selected for the All-ECAC Hockey First Team and was recognized as an AHCA East Second Team All-American.

Malinski’s college career came to an end following a 2-1 defeat against Boston University in the NCAA Regional Final. Prior to joining the Avalanche, he accumulated a total of 65 points (17 goals and 48 assists) throughout three seasons at Cornell, playing in 91 games.