Avalanche Sign College Free Agent Defenseman to 2-Year Deal

Gustav Stjernberg, a 23-year-old Swedish blueliner, joins the Avalanche organization.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 7:07pm

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The Colorado Avalanche have signed college free agent defenseman Gustav Stjernberg to a two-year, entry-level contract starting in the 2026-27 season. Stjernberg, a 23-year-old Swede, just completed his junior year at Bowling Green University, where he served as an alternate captain and recorded 6 goals and 10 points in 25 games. Listed at 6'4" and 209 lbs., Stjernberg will join the Avalanche's AHL affiliate, the Colorado Eagles, for the remainder of this season on an AHL contract.

Why it matters

The addition of Stjernberg provides the Avalanche with a towering defensive prospect who can help bolster their pipeline. As an undrafted free agent, Stjernberg represents a low-risk, high-upside signing for the organization as they look to continue building depth on the blue line.

The details

Stjernberg spent three seasons at Bowling Green, compiling 37 points in 86 career games. Prior to college, he played one season in the USHL with Des Moines, where he collected 20 points in 62 games. The Avalanche are hopeful that Stjernberg's size, defensive abilities, and experience at the college level will translate to success at the professional ranks.

  • Stjernberg just completed his junior season at Bowling Green University in 2025-26.
  • He will join the Colorado Eagles, the Avalanche's AHL affiliate, for the remainder of the 2025-26 season on an AHL contract.
  • Stjernberg's two-year, entry-level contract with the Avalanche will begin in the 2026-27 season.

The players

Gustav Stjernberg

A 23-year-old Swedish defenseman who just completed his junior season at Bowling Green University, where he served as an alternate captain and recorded 6 goals and 10 points in 25 games.

Colorado Avalanche

The NHL team that has signed Gustav Stjernberg to a two-year, entry-level contract starting in the 2026-27 season.

Colorado Eagles

The AHL affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche, where Stjernberg will play for the remainder of the 2025-26 season on an AHL contract.

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What they’re saying

“The addition of Gustav Stjernberg provides us with a talented, young defenseman who can help bolster our pipeline. His size, defensive abilities, and experience at the college level make him an intriguing prospect, and we're excited to see him develop further with our organization.”

— Joe Sakic, General Manager, Colorado Avalanche

What’s next

Stjernberg will join the Colorado Eagles for the remainder of the 2025-26 AHL season to gain professional experience before transitioning to the Avalanche's NHL roster in 2026-27.

The takeaway

The Avalanche's signing of the undrafted college free agent Stjernberg represents a low-risk, high-upside move to add depth and size to their defensive pipeline. If Stjernberg can translate his college success to the professional level, he could develop into a valuable asset for the Avalanche in the years to come.