March 30th, 4:22 PM: Pavel will join Colorado’s AHL affiliate Colorado Eagles for the remainder of this season. The entry-level contract will be a 2-year deal, ending after the 2024-25 season. Pavel will earn a salary of $950K in the NHL, and a salary of $82.5K in the AHL.
March 30th, 4:18 PM: Shortly after signing top goal-scorer Jason Polin from the Western Michigan University Broncos, the Colorado Avalanche have dipped back into NCAA free agency, signing Ondrej Pavel from the Minnesota State Mavericks. The length and financial information of the deal have not yet been disclosed, but we will update you as that comes in.
With only four picks within the first three rounds of the next three drafts, the Avalanche are looking to fill in their prospect depth through the collegiate level. The 22-year-old forward just finished his third season playing at Minnesota State, scoring a total of 18 goals and 23 assists in 94 regular season games. Most importantly, Pavel helped Minnesota State reach the 2021-22 National Championship, losing to the Denver University Pioneers.
Not only can Pavel generate a fair amount of offense, but he is also coming from a program that prides itself on its play from the defensive side of the puck. This season, Minnesota State’s goals-against average was fourth in the nation at 2.08. Coming from a team that demands solid two-way play from everyone, Pavel could become a valuable piece in Colorado’s bottom six, if not more.