The Colorado Avalanche went back to a familiar place for its first selection in the 2025 NHL draft.
Colorado selected Francesco Dell’Elce, a defenseman from the University of Massachusetts, with the No. 77 pick in the third round Saturday. Listed at 6-foot-1 and 179 pounds, the left-shooting Dell’Elce had seven goals and 24 points in 40 games as a freshman at UMass this past season.
Dell’Elce is a King City, Ontario native. He was named to the Hockey East All-Rookie Team. This was the third year Dell’Elce was eligible for the draft. He turned 20 years old on Monday.