Avalanche sign Matt DiMarsico to entry-level contract

One of the Big Ten’s best players is turning pro.

On Monday, the Colorado Avalanche announced that the team has signed forward Matt DiMarsico to a two-year, entry-level contract. The deal will begin with the 2026-27 campaign, with DiMarsico joining the Avalanche’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Colorado Eagles, for the remainder of this season on an amateur tryout.

DiMarsico is an undrafted winger who can play in a variety of roles. Over his three years at Penn State University, he displayed a knack for putting the puck in the back of the net, as well as helping set up his teammates for prime scoring chances. He’s also a hard-working player in his own zone, laying the foundation for him to become a solid two-way player in the pro game.

The Wexford, Pa. native has been one of the Nittany Lions’ top scorers since he stepped onto Hockey Valley’s campus. After a solid freshman campaign, DiMarsico powered a second-half surge that propelled Penn State into the 2025 NCAA Men’s Hockey Tournament. He made a name for himself by scoring twice against top-seeded Maine during the Allentown Regional, before scoring the game-winning goal against Connecticut to send PSU to the Men’s Frozen Four for the first time in program history.

This year, with elevated expectations with the addition of 2026 NHL Draft prospect Gavin McKenna, DiMarsico continued to score at a high rate, potting 18 goals and 24 assists for 42 points in 37 games, leading the team in goals while finishing second in points behind McKenna. It helped Penn State to get back to the national tournament, though the team was eliminated by Minnesota Duluth in the opening round last Friday.

In 111 games with the Nittany Lions, DiMarsico scored 42 goals and 58 assists for 100 points.