Now that the first half of the 2025-26 season has wrapped up for many players, it’s time to highlight the top five most impressive seasons thus far from those prospects in the Colorado Avalanche system.
A couple things to note, one this is just a snapshot look at short-term returns — not long-term career projections – – nor is this a ranking of the top five prospects in the organization. Also, this list comprises players currently outside the Avalanche pro system as The Colorado Eagles three stars
of the month series addresses the current system players. Instead, here we are primarily highlighting a prospects’ performance in their current junior or college league.
Christian Humphreys – 32 GP: 12G, 27, 39P
The move to the OHL continues to prove the right call for the 19-year-old forward. Christian Humphries leads in production for all Avalanche organizational prospects as well as his OHL team the Kitchener Rangers. His current 39 points in 32 games tops the 33 points he was able to produce last year in his midseason move to the junior ranks. The right shot center plays in the top six and hopes to be part of a long playoff run for Kitchener. All options are open to Humphries after this season including going back to the NCAA or playing in Colorado’s pro system.
Max Curran – 28 GP: 11G, 24A, 35P
As Colorado’s lone prospect participant at the World Junior Championship for the Czech Republic, Max Curran has so far experienced a 19-year-old season worthy of such honor. With his new squad the Edmonton Oil Kings in the WHL, the left shot forward has put up 35 points in 28 games, which is good for third on the team. This season Curran has focused more on goal scoring and has tallied 11 thus far playing in the top six, and he is on pace to top his career high of 22 in a season. As likely his last season in junior, Curran needs to impress the Avalanche organization enough to get offered an Entry Level Contract in the spring.
Louka Cloutier – 10-3-1, 2.01 GAA, .918 SV%
An unexpected name to highlight but was very necessary after the 19-year-old freshman has grabbed the starting goaltender job at Boston College and hasn’t looked back. After a very forgettable final USHL season with the Chicago Steel it wasn’t clear what direction Louka Cloutier would take as he began his collegiate career. But it has gone nowhere but up as the netminder has already won multiple Hockey East awards this season including Rookie of the Week, Goaltender of the Week and Rookie of the Month. A long successful career in the NCAA could elevate Cloutier’s status as one of Colorado’s top prospects.
Francesco Dell’Elce – 18 GP: 3G, 10A, 13P
The headliner of Colorado’s 2025 draft class is doing as expected in his sophomore season at UMass. Francesco Dell’Elce is leading the Minutemen defensemen in points with 13 and could surpass his career high of 24 points. The left hander has been playing in the top four on a young defensive core. This overtime goal shown below really evokes similarities to Sam Malinski, which is what the Avalanche are likely hoping for as an outcome with Dell’Elce’s career path. At 20-years-old he could elect to turn pro after the season or keep gaining experience in the NCAA.
Linus Funck – 33 GP: 3G, 10A, 13P
It was a hot start for the Swedish defenseman scoring six points in his first seven games in his new environment following the move to Canada and the London Knights in the OHL especially after missing Avalanche training camp with an injury. Lately Funck then hit a lull but finished out the month of December with three assists and the all-important teddy bear toss goal. At 18-years-old, the right handed defenseman has a long runway ahead of him to continue to improve.
Honorable Mention
Nolan Roed – 18 GP: 2G, 7A, 9P
Perhaps due to the fact that Nolan Road didn’t skate at Avalanche development camp, former seventh round pick in the 2025 draft has fallen off the radar. He deserves some spotlight with a strong start to his freshman season at St. Cloud State, as Roed earned recognition in late October as the NCHC rookie of the week and produced a total of seven points in the month. The 20-year- old left shot center has since cooled off but as a freshman and a very unfamiliar Avalanche prospect, he deserves mention on our list.
