Aarif Deen
As is often the case on July 1, the Colorado Avalanche used the opening day of free agency to add several players to their AHL roster in Loveland. They signed several forwards, but they also added a defenseman, Domenick Fensore. The 24-year-old signed a one-year deal on Wednesday, joining the Avs after spending seven years in the Carolina Hurricanes’ organization.
Fensore is a left-shot puck-moving blueliner who had 35 points in 60 AHL games with the Canes’ affiliate, the Chicago Wolves. He was part of their Calder Cup Final run, which included eliminating the Colorado Eagles in seven games in the Western Conference Final. Fensore also dressed in one NHL game last season and in two during the 2024-25 season.
Drafted in the third round in 2019, the 5-foot-9, 174-pound defenseman was signed to replace the departing Jack Ahcan.
Like Ross Colton and Jack Drury, Ahcan finds himself on the Nashville Predators, reunited with former Colorado general manager Chris MacFarland. His deal carries a $875,000 AAV.
The Avs also saw several other AHL regulars sign elsewhere. Both Alex Barre-Boulet and Tyle Felhaber locked in two-year contracts with the San Jose Sharks’ organization. Jason Polin is on his way to the Buffalo Sabres.