The Colorado Avalanche signed UMass sophomore Cale Makar to a three-year, entry-level contract Sunday morning. The 20-year-old defenseman will join the Avs immediately, the team announced.
Makar, 20, was named the Hobey Baker Award winner Friday as the best player in college hockey. He led all NCAA defensemen with 49 points (16 goals) this past season and helped the Minutemen to a runner-up finish in the Frozen Four, where they fell to Minnesota Duluth in Saturday’s national championship.
The 6-foot, 192-pounder was Colorado’s No. 4 overall pick in the 2017 draft. He wore his UMass jersey to the postgame press conference Saturday night and said he was undecided about what his future held, but clearly saw the potential of turning pro in the hours since.