Avalanche Sign Top Goal Scorer in NCAA Jason Polin

Once again, the Colorado Avalanche are dipping into the undrafted college free agent pool, and once again, they’ve plucked one of the top players available.

Jason Polin, who led the NCAA in goals this year with 30, signed a one-year, entry level contract with the Avalanche on Wednesday. The contract for the 23 year old won’t kick in until the 2023-24 season. He will, however, join the Colorado Eagles for the rest of the season on a professional tryout contract.

Like a lot of the players the Avalanche have targeted in recent seasons, Polin is a former Captain. He wore the ‘C’ at Western Michigan this season, where he was named National Collegiate Hockey Conference Player of the Year. He finished the season with 47 points in 39 games, and is a top-10 finalist for the Hobey Baker award as the top player in college hockey.

NCAA signings are never a sure thing (see: Ben Meyers), but it’s a free asset for a team that has traded away a lot of prospects and draft capital the last two years. It’s an easy way to replenish the depth in your system. Who knows if Polin will become a bonafide NHL player, but depth never hurts.

Take a peek at some highlights from Polin’s senior year at Western Michigan.

Huskies make a goalie change, but Jason Polin tallies the hat trick on the first shot seen. 6-0 WMU #GLI pic.twitter.com/Zpym8HoNOS

— Ryan Sikes (@ryan_sikes10) December 27, 2022

The @NCAAIceHockey goal leader is at it again! 🎯

Jason Polin's 2⃣8⃣th snipe of the season is now second in #NCHChockey single-season history (one behind Josh Archibald's record of 29 in 2013-14)

📺: https://t.co/ZyUdpPaF0J @WMUHockey // #BroncosReign pic.twitter.com/TnqAihmqSd

— The NCHC (@TheNCHC) March 4, 2023

"His consistency, his repeatability, his leadership, his everyday approach, his professionalism. All those things are Jason Polin in a nutshell."

No better choice for the @HobeyBakerAward than Jason Polin!#BroncosReign | #Pol1n4Hobey pic.twitter.com/LzDUUiLpgu

— WMU Hockey (@WMUHockey) March 28, 2023

The Jason Polin File

Team Captain
5 Hat Tricks This Season
Ties NCHC Single-Season Goals Record
Leads Team to Best NCHC Finish in Program History
First Team All-NCHC
NCHC Forward of the Year
NCHC Player of the Year
Hobey Baker Top-10 Finalist#BroncosReign pic.twitter.com/boOjcVMp4M

— WMU Hockey (@WMUHockey) March 17, 2023