Colorado Avalanche fans raise a logo banner. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Avalanche sign NCAA's leading scorer to entry-level contract

Originally posted on Daily Faceoff | By Mike Gould | Last updated 3/29/23

The Colorado Avalanche have signed Western Michigan Broncos captain Jason Polin to a one-year, entry-level contract, the club announced Wednesday.

Polin, 23, scored 30 goals and added 17 assists for 47 points in 39 games as a senior with the Broncos during the 2022–23 season.

A five-foot-eleven right wing from Holt, Mich., Polin joins the Avalanche after going undrafted as a member of the USHL’s Cedar Rapids RoughRiders between 2016 and 2019.

Over his four-year career with the Broncos, Polin collected 60 goals and 96 points in 132 games. His entry-level deal with the Avalanche will take effect for the 2023–24 season, making him eligible to become a restricted free agent in the summer of 2024.

Welcome to the squad, Jason!#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/iLIlML05Qt
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) March 29, 2023

Polin will also be eligible to sign an amateur tryout deal with the American Hockey League’s Colorado Eagles as they continue to battle for playoff positioning in the ultra-competitive Pacific Division. The Eagles have already clinched a playoff spot but need to finish at least fourth in the Pacific to secure home-ice advantage in the first round.

On the NHL side, the Avalanche currently rank second in the Central Division with a 44–23–6 record and 94 points in 73 games. Polin won’t be able to help them this season, but he may be counted upon to step in next year as Colorado deals with six pending UFAs up front.

The Avalanche will return to action at 8:00 p.m. MT on Wednesday evening to play host to the Central Division-leading Minnesota Wild at Ball Arena in Denver, CO.

This article first appeared on Daily Faceoff and was syndicated with permission.

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