Colorado Avalanche Top 25 Under 25: #12 Taylor Makar

The Top 25 Under 25 is a collaboration by Mile High Hockey staff members. Six writers have ranked players under the age of 25 in the Colorado Avalanche organization as of September 1, 2025. Now, we’ll count down each of the 25 players ranked (plus one Honorable Mention).

Taylor Makar remains a very intriguing prospect in Colorado’s pipeline. Selected by the Avalanche in the seventh round of the 2021 NHL draft at 220th overall, the expectation always was that Makar was a long-term project and a long-shot prospect. But under the guidance of his family and the organization’s very keen familiarity with the family could only help Taylor in the long run.

The left shot forward began his college career at the University of Massachusetts Amherst back during the 2021-22 season. During his time at UMass, Makar had some solid seasons, but his stats were not world-ending by any means with a career high of 12 points. Makar then transferred to the University of Maine for his senior season, where he really found his footing, putting up a 30-point season for the Black Bears before signing his Entry Level Contract and joining the Eagles for the end of their season. There he got just a taste of pro hockey as he scored a goal for them in his five-game showing.

In his season with the Black Bears, Makar certainly found his offensive touch, while rounding out his game. Makar is big for a forward, standing at 6-foot-four and that size could allow him to be used as a power forward at the next level.

If Makar able to continue to use his size in game situations, like being a screen in front of the net, for example, while effectively developing his offensive and defensive games, that would certainly go a long way in furthering the possibility of him playing NHL games one day. The thought of having the Makar brothers play together for the Avalanche one day has always been a fun idea, but given Taylor’s jump in development this past season, it’s looking like more of a realistic possibility than ever and for that reason he also takes a jump on our list to number 12.

2025 Top 25 Under 25

#25 Louka Cloutier

#24 Ivan Yunin

#23 Nikita Ishimnikov

#22 Chris Romaine

#21 Nolan Roed

#20 Linus Funck

#19 Max Curran

#18 Jake Fisher

#17 Saige Weinstein

#16 Francesco Dell’Elce

#15 Cooper Gay

#14 Christian Humphreys

#13 Tory Pitner