The Colorado Avalanche’s 2026 rookie camp roster has a couple of names that jump out immediately, and both sit at the center of the organization’s young-player plans.
T.J. Hughes and Ilya Nabokov headline the group released Friday afternoon, giving the Avalanche a first look at two prospects who could shape the next wave in Colorado.
Hughes, 24, arrives after being named a Hobey Baker Award finalist in 2026 and then signing with the Avalanche as an undrafted free agent out of Michigan. The Hamilton, Ontario native agreed to a one-year deal for the 2026-27 season, and he’s one of the young forwards the club is hoping can make noise as the regular season gets underway later this month.
Rookie camp begins next Friday, Sept. 11, with the group set to practice at Family Sports Center before heading to San Jose for a weekend rookie showcase tournament.
Nabokov is expected to be the lead name in goal. Colorado took him in the second round, 38th overall, in the 2024 NHL Draft, and after a successful run in the KHL, he’s set for his first full season in North America. At 23, he figures to open the year in a competition for starts with AHL goalie Trent Miner and possibly fellow rookie camp goaltender Nikita Novosyolov.
The roster also includes a handful of other prospects worth watching, including 2025 fourth-round pick Linus Funck, 2021 second-round pick Sean Behrens, undrafted free agent Matt DiMarsico, and this year’s 74th overall pick Beckett Hamilton.
As for NHL experience, only two players on the roster have it. Nikita Prischepov appeared in 10 games for the Avalanche in 2024-25 right after being chosen in the seventh round in June 2024.
Taylor Makar is the other, after Colorado selected him in the seventh round in 2021. He played 12 games in 2025-26.
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