Avalanche's T.J. Hughes achieves personal milestone vs. Penguins

Colorado Avalanche winger T.J. Hughes. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Avalanche rookie T.J. Hughes achieves personal milestone vs. Penguins

By Mike J. Asti | Last updated Oct 16, 2026 11:32 PM ET

In the same game that Pittsburgh Penguins icon Sidney Crosby advanced on another all-time list, further cementing his place as a legend of the game, a member of the Colorado Avalanche reached a career milestone of his own.

After Crosby moved up to seventh on the NHL's career assist leaderboard, Avalanche rookie T.J. Hughes made the night a memorable one in his journey.

T.J. Hughes scored his first career NHL goal

At 14:57 of the second period, Hughes found the back of the net for his first NHL goal in his eighth game.

His goal, assisted by his two most prominent teammates, Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar, put Colorado up by two at the time.

Prior to Friday night against Pittsburgh, Hughes had just one point off an assist and two penalty minutes in his early-season statistics.

T.J. Hughes pots his FIRST NHL Goal pic.twitter.com/7EXavHSZke
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) October 17, 2026

Entering the NHL in a polar opposite manner to Crosby, whom he will forever share the individual monumental game with, Hughes signed a one-year, entry-level contract with the Avalanche in April after going undrafted following his college career at the University of Michigan.

Hughes enjoyed his best college season during his senior year

Hughes, now 24, set his college single-season highs in his final NCAA campaign with Michigan, tallying 22 goals and 35 assists for 57 points in 40 games.

And upon signing with Colorado, he was assigned to the Avalanche's AHL affiliate, the Colorado Eagles, on a professional tryout basis for the remainder of the 2025-26 AHL season. He then recorded two points off a goal and an assist in two games with the Eagles.

It will now be up to Hughes to turn his first goal into a hot streak.

Mike J. Asti

Mike Asti is an experienced media personality and journalist with a vast resume and skillset, most notably from time with TribLIVE Radio and WPXI-TV. Asti now serves as the Managing Editor of WV Sports Now, where he leads the coverage of WVU sports. He has also covered the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates and other teams within the Pittsburgh market

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