The Top 25 Under 25 is a collaboration by Mile High Hockey staff members. Six writers have ranked players under the age of 25 in the Colorado Avalanche organization as of September 1, 2025. Now, we’ll count down each of the 25 players ranked (plus one Honorable Mention).
Name: Matt Stienburg
Age: 24
Position: Foward (C)
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 183 lbs.
Likely 2025-26 Team: Colorado Eagles
2024 Rank: #18 Tie
Final Rank:
#9High Rank: #8 (Brennan)
Low Rank: #10 (Jackie, Adrian, Jess)
2024-25 Statistics:
Colorado
Avalanche – 8 GP: 0G, 0A, 0P
Colorado Eagles – 5 GP: 1G, 2A, 3P (Playoffs – 3GP: 0G, 0A, 0P)
Coming in at number nine on this year’s Top 25 Under 25 is center Matt Stienburg. The Cornell alum fought off injuries most of the season, but it was what he did on the ice that counted. Stienburg jumped from 18th to ninth this season because of how many games he played with the Colorado Avalanche. The former 2019 third round pick showed everyone what he was capable of and how he could contribute to the team.
Stienburg started the season out impressively with the Colorado Eagles. In the opening game of the season, Stienburg scored a shorthanded goal assisted by Jayson Megna. The following night, had an assist of his own. Stienburg’s early success led to a call-up just five days into the season for the Avalanche. He would make his NHL debut against the Boston Bruins on October 16 and had to make an impact. Halfway through the second period, Stienburg fought former Avalanche defenseman Nikita Zadorov.
The Halifax native has made a name for himself as a gritty player. Eight games into his call-up with the Avalanche, Stienburg cost himself the rest of the season. He ran Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Erik Cernak into the boards. This would cost Stienburg a two-game suspension and a reassignment to the Colorado Eagles. Unfortunately, Stienburg injured his shoulder in the first game back in the AHL, and he was out for the rest of the season.
Fans can probably look forward to the Canadian making a run for the fourth line sometime this season as the Avalanche burned his suspension by rostering him in the playoffs. Coach Jared Bednar has leaned a little more heavily on the grit of the younger players, and Stienburg fits the bill. He is not that fast, but he lets you know if you get too close to the wall anytime he is on the ice. Lately, he does not hesitate to drop the gloves either. His fighting needs a little work, but he has learned in the last year how to be the big kid on the ice.
2025 Top 25 Under 25
#25 Louka Cloutier
#24 Ivan Yunin
#22 Chris Romaine
#21 Nolan Roed
#20 Linus Funck
#19 Max Curran
#18 Jake Fisher
#17 Saige Weinstein
#15 Cooper Gay
#13 Tory Pitner
#12 Taylor Makar
#11 Zakhar Bardakov
#10 Chase Bradley
