The Top 25 Under 25 is a collaboration by Mile High Hockey staff members. Seven writers have ranked players under the age of 25 in the
Colorado Avalanche organization as of September 1, 2026. Now, we’ll count down each of the 25 players ranked.Name: Alex Gagne
Age: 23
Position: Left Defense
Height: 6’5”
Weight: 225 lbs
Likely 2026-27 Team: Colorado Eagles (AHL)
2025 Rank: N/A
Final Rank: #20
High Rank: #3 (Brennan)
Low Rank: #35 (Jess)
2025-26 Statistics:
Colorado Eagles (AHL) – 58 GP 1G, 12A, 13P (Playoffs:
17 GP, 3G 2A, 5P)
Much like fellow defenseman Sam Malinski three years ago, Alex Gagne came to the Colorado Avalanche as a free agent out of the NCAA. He wasn’t undrafted, however, as the Tampa Bay Lightning selected him in the sixth round of the 2021 draft but elected not to sign him. Gagne was a surprise signing by the Avs, but a great one. The former captain of the University of New Hampshire dove into the pro game last season. What is even better, Gagne has a real shot at making his NHL debut this season for the Avalanche.
Gagne is a big-bodied defenseman who specializes on the penalty kill. His long reach allows him to poke-check the puck away from the opponent, while his size at six-foot-five keeps them out of the slot. While not known for his offensive prowess, Gagne brings a high hockey IQ to the ice. He won’t bring points to the scoresheet, but it’s his physical game that makes him such a threat.
As a Wildcat in college, Gagne excelled as a leader on and off the ice for UNH. He led the team as their captain for the final two seasons and as an alternate captain in his sophomore season. Gaining only 48 points in 139 contests, the Bedford, New Hampshire native caught the eyes of pro scouts through his special teams play.
Once Gagne arrived at the Colorado Eagles, he immediately partnered with Keaton Middleton. Middleton shockingly taught Gagne how to play the pro game with his body type. Through 58 games, he scored only one goal but assisted on 12 more. He became vital on the penalty kill along with Jayson Megna, Jack Ahcan, and Middleton. A late-season wrist injury took Gagne out of the lineup for over a month. He came back from the injury earlier than he should have and played through the pain like other Eagles did.
Gagne played all 17 games of the playoffs for the Eagles as they advanced to the Western Conference Finals. His three goals and two assists came at vital times for the team, while he became even more important defensively. During Game Seven against the Chicago Wolves (CAR), Gagne injured his ankle and couldn’t continue. He kept trying to test it, even playing a couple of shifts. But his contribution to the defense was clear, as the Eagles were eliminated from the playoffs.
The Avalanche had their eyes on Gagne during the playoffs, giving him the chance to practice with the team a few times. So it won’t be a surprise that Joe Sakic and Jared Bednar will keep a close watch on him during camp and preseason, putting Gagne in line for a call-up sometime this season.
2026 Top 25 Under 25
#25 Nikita Novosyolov
#24 Axel Eloffson
#23 Teddy Lechner
#22 Ivan Yunin
#21 Louka Cloutier
#20 Matthew DiMarsico
#19 Shawn Carrier
#18 Domenick Fensore
#17 Tory Pitner
#16Jake Fisher
#15 Beckett Hamilton
#14 Linus Funck
