The Avalanche are heading into the 2026 Rookie Faceoff with a roster that gives scouts plenty to chew on, and a handful of names already jump off the page. Colorado sent credentialed media its roster for the event, and the group includes Ilya Nabokov, Sean Behrens, T.J. Hughes and several other prospects worth tracking closely in San Jose.
Nabokov has been one of the clearest standouts so far. Through the optional skates The Hockey News has seen this season, he has looked tremendous, flashing a strong glove and showing signs that he’s adjusting well to the North American game.
That’s good news for Colorado, and it could make things tougher for Trent Miner, who has held the starter’s role with the Colorado Eagles for a number of seasons. That battle is one to watch.
Behrens arrives with a different kind of pressure. He’s back after a season-ending knee injury a couple of years ago, and while that setback clearly mattered, his skating still stands out.
The issue is that plenty of others in the system can say the same. At 23, he needs a way to separate himself if he wants to remain in the Avalanche organization, and this camp gives him that chance.
Among the more intriguing forwards, T.J. Hughes may draw the most attention.
Colorado signed him out of Michigan last year, and he wasted no time making an impression in Loveland. He’s been excellent all offseason, and the word around him is that he was a leader at Michigan.
Watching him work one-on-one while taking in Gabe Landeskog’s instructions - and then applying those tips to a T - was, as the source noted, a beautiful display. The Avalanche may have something special here.
Another college signee, Matt DiMarsico, brings a different weapon. Colorado signed him out of Penn State University, and if the puck is on his stick, the warning is simple: Look out. His release has real pop.
Alex Gagne is also in the mix and, among this group, appears to have the best shot at seeing NHL games this season. He’s been impressive and continues to rank among the more notable prospects in the organization.
Then there’s Gustav Stjernberg, a dark horse worth a closer look. The Avalanche signed the 23-year-old to a two-year contract near the end of last season after he left Bowling Green State University, and he brings an underrated release that could help him make some noise at the Rookie Faceoff.
Colorado’s roster also features Grant Ahcan, the younger brother of former Avalanche and Eagles defenseman Jack Ahcan, along with Maxim Barbashev, the younger brother of Ivan Barbashev. Maxim is under contract with the New Mexico Goatheads for the upcoming season, but this tournament offers a chance to see how he stacks up against some of the best young talent from around the NHL.
There are plenty of players to keep tabs on when the Avalanche hit the ice in San Jose, but Nabokov, Behrens, Hughes, DiMarsico, Gagne, Stjernberg, Ahcan and Barbashev are the names that immediately stand out.
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What makes Nabokov so intriguing is also what makes his path so uncertain. Goaltenders can look promising on paper and still need time to adjust to the smaller rink, the pace, and the different demands that come with life in this part of the game. Colorado clearly sees enough there to place him at the top of its prospect rankings, but the real question is how quickly he can turn that upside into something usable for the Avalanche when the stakes get much higher. [Read more 🡒]