Ross Colton
Stanley Cup hero and center for the Nashville Predators.
Ross Colton (born September 11, 1996) is an American professional ice hockey player who is a center for the Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League (NHL).
Quick Facts
- Born
- 11 September 1996
- Birthplace
- Robbinsville, New Jersey, U.S.
- Position
- Center
- Shoots
- Left
- League
- NHL
- Team
- Nashville Predators
- Prospect league
- AHL
- Former teams
- Tampa Bay Lightning; Colorado Avalanche
Lore & Background
Colton was born in Robbinsville Township, New Jersey. He played at Princeton Day School for two seasons before transferring to Taft School for his junior year. He was drafted by the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders of the USHL. He set a league record for most goals and points at a USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game. He was selected by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the fourth round, 118th overall, of the 2016 NHL entry draft. He played two seasons with the Vermont Catamounts before signing a two-year entry-level contract with the Lightning. He won the Stanley Cup by scoring the clinching goal in Game 5. He was traded to the Colorado Avalanche in the 2023 offseason, where he played three seasons, before a subsequent offseason trade to Nashville in 2026.
Reader's Guide
Colton played for the Vermont Catamounts for two seasons. He signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Lightning on June 26, 2018. He made his NHL debut on February 24, 2021, scoring a goal. He played 30 regular-season games in 2020–21. In 2021–22, he appeared in 79 regular-season games, posting 22 goals and 39 points. In 2022–23, he appeared in a career-high 81 regular-season games, adding 16 goals and 32 points. He was traded to the Colorado Avalanche on June 28, 2023, and signed a four-year, $16 million contract on July 17, 2023. He made his Avalanche debut on October 11, 2023, and completed the regular season with 17 goals, 23 assists, and 40 points in 80 appearances. He played three seasons with the Avalanche before being traded to Nashville in 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ross Colton?
Ross Colton is an energy forward for the Colorado Avalanche who wears jersey number 18 and joined the team in August 2021 via a trade from Tampa Bay.
How did Ross Colton join Colorado?
He arrived in the franchise through a trade from the Tampa Bay Lightning in August 2021, quickly becoming a staple of the roster's core.
More in Current Roster & Farm System
Elsewhere in Colorado Avalanche
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