Colorado Avalanche Top 25 Under 25: #17 Tory Pitner

Tory Pitner, a 20-year-old defenseman from the University of Denver, has been ranked #17 in the Colorado Avalanche's Top 25 Under 25 for the 2026 season. Standing at 6'1" and weighing 190 lbs, Pitner was selected by Colorado in the sixth round of the 2024 draft. Despite not being the biggest defenseman in the draft class, Pitner's skills make him a promising prospect for the Avalanche organization.

Throughout his collegiate career, Pitner has demonstrated reliability and positional soundness on the blueline. His skating ability and acceleration have particularly impressed observers, as evidenced by his ability to explode to space and open up the ice. However, Pitner's development has been impacted by injuries and limited playing time, with him only playing six games for the Pioneers last season and scoring just two points in his NCAA career.

The depth of the Pioneers' blueline has also restricted Pitner's opportunities. As he prepares to return to DU for a third season, Pitner is expected to bounce back and get more playing time next season as a junior. His offensive upside, which caught the attention of draft selectors, may provide him with a pathway to the Avalanche organization in the coming years.