The Colorado Avalanche have found major success signing undrafted free agents out of the NCAA. They’re hoping they hit pay dirt again.

Just a few days after his Michigan Wolverines were eliminated by the Denver Pioneers, Hobey Baker finalist T.J. Hughes signed a one-year contract with the Avalanche that will begin next season. He will join the Colorado Eagles on a professional tryout contract for the rest of the season to dip his toes into the world of professional hockey.

Hughes was the captain of the Wolverines this season and finished with 57 points in 40 games, which was good for second in the nation in scoring. The 24-year-old forward finished his NCAA career with 179 points in 156 games.

he Avalanche are hopeful that the 6-foot, 185-pound Hughes can become a contributor down the line at the NHL level, much like Logan O’Connor and Sam Malinski have. Those two also signed with the Avalanche as free agents out of the NCAA. The Avalanche organization has turned to undrafted free agents in recent years because of all the draft picks and prospects they’ve traded away for immediate help.

As Hughes is only on a professional tryout for the remainder of the season, he is unable to make his NHL debut with the Avalanche over the team’s final four games.