The Colorado Avalanche Hockey Club announced today that the team has signed defenseman Cale Makar to a three-year, entry-level contract. He will join the Avalanche immediately for its Stanley Cup Playoff series against the Calgary Flames.

Makar, 20, just completed his sophomore season at the University of Massachusetts, helping the Minutemen reach the NCAA Frozen Four Championship Game. The Calgary, Alberta, native was named the winner of the 2019 Hobey Baker Award, becoming the first player in school history to win college hockey's top individual prize. 

LOVELAND, Colo.--The Colorado Eagles collected goals from Martin Kaut, Dominic Toninato and Logan O'Connor to defeat the San Jose Barracuda 3-2 on Saturday. The victory combined with San Diego's 4-3 win over the Tucson Roadrunners clinched a spot for Colorado in the 2019 AHL Calder Cup Playoffs. The Eagles have now qualified for the postseason in all 16 seasons in the team's history, as Colorado now prepares to face the Bakersfield Condors in Round 1. 

Colorado Avalanche prospect Cale Makar was named the recipient of the 2019 Hobey Baker Award, given to college hockey's top player, at a ceremony on Thursday afternoon in Buffalo, New York, the site the NCAA Men's Division I Frozen Four.

Makar, a sophomore defenseman for the University of Massachusetts Amherst, is the first player in school history to win the award, and he is the first underclassman to pick up the accolade since Boston University freshman Jack Eichel in 2015.

Spotlight On: Mason Geertsen, D, Colorado Eagles (AHL)

Defenseman Mason Geertsen notched his 13th assist of the season for the Colorado Eagles in a 3-2 loss against the Chicago Wolves this past week, extending his American Hockey League career high for helpers in a season. He has also registered three goals this year, and his 16 points mark the most he's ever registered in a single season in the AHL.

Cale Makar, a sophomore defenseman for the University of Massachusetts and a Colorado Avalanche prospect, was selected on Thursday as one of three finalists for the 2018-19 Hobey Baker Award as college hockey's top player. The winner will be announced on Friday, April 12 in Buffalo, New York, the site of the 2019 NCAA Frozen Four.

Selected in the first round (fourth overall) of the 2017 NHL Draft by the Avalanche, the Calgary, Alberta, native has recorded career highs this season in goals (16), assists (32) and points (48) while helping lead the Minutemen to the Frozen Four for the first time in program history. His point total is currently third among all NCAA skaters and first for college blueliners.

The Colorado Eagles are proud to announce that Mason Geertsen has been named the Eagles' winner of the IOA/American Specialty AHL Man of the Year award for his outstanding contributions to the Northern Colorado community during the 2018-19 season.

Geertsen won an ECHL Kelly Cup with the Eagles in 2017 and has been an instrumental part in the team's transition to the AHL. This year, Geertsen has made it a point to be a part of as many community appearances as he was able to attend, never saying no to a fan or team request.

Spotlight On: Cale Makar, D, University of Massachusetts

Makar, the first-round selection (fourth overall) in the 2017 NHL Draft by the Colorado Avalanche, continued his standout sophomore season at the University of Massachusetts this week, helping the Minutemen reach the Frozen Four for the first time in the program's history.

The Hobey Baker Award finalist has tallied 48 points (16 goals, 32 assists) in 39 games this season, tied for the most in the NCAA among blueliners this season. He earned The Hockey East Player of the Year honor in addition to being named the Northeast Region's Most Outstanding Player.

The Colorado Avalanche Hockey Club announced today that the team has signed forward Shane Bowers to a three-year, entry-level contract beginning with the 2019-20 season. Bowers will report to the Avalanche's American Hockey League affiliate, the Colorado Eagles, on an Amateur Tryout Contract (ATO).

Acquired by the Avalanche in a trade on Nov. 5, 2017, Bowers, 19, was selected by the Ottawa Senators in the first round (28th overall) of the 2017 NHL Draft. The Halifax, Nova Scotia, native just concluded his sophomore season with Boston University, where he finished fourth on the team with 21 points (11g, 10a) and ranked third in goals. He finished his college career with 53 points (28g, 25a) in 77 NCAA outings.

WINDSOR, Colo.--The Colorado Eagles, proud American Hockey League affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche, have announced that defenseman Mark Barberio has been assigned to the Eagles on a conditioning loan.

Spotlight On: Cam Morrison, LW, University of Notre Dame

Morrison netted his second goal of the postseason on Saturday, the game-winner, to lead Notre Dame to its second consecutive Big Ten Championship in a victory over Penn State. It was Morrison's second game-winning tally in a tournament championship game after he scored in overtime in last season's final against Ohio State University.