Ross Colton

Last updated
Ross Colton
Ross colton ball arena October 12 2024.jpg
Colton with the Colorado Avalanche in October 2024
Born (1996-09-11) September 11, 1996 (age 28)
Robbinsville, New Jersey, U.S.
Height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight 202 lb (92 kg; 14 st 6 lb)
Position Center
Shoots Left
NHL team
Former teams		 Colorado Avalanche
Tampa Bay Lightning
NHL draft 118th overall, 2016
Tampa Bay Lightning
Playing career 2018–present

Ross Colton (born September 11, 1996) is an American professional ice hockey center currently playing for the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Contents

Growing up in New Jersey, Colton played at Princeton Day School for two seasons before transferring to Taft School, a boarding school in Connecticut, for his junior year. Following his junior year at Taft, Colton was drafted by the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders of the United States Hockey League. He spent another two years with the team, setting a league record for most goals and points at a USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game. As a result, Colton was selected by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the fourth round, 118th overall, of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.

Following the NHL draft, Colton played two seasons with the Vermont Catamounts men's ice hockey team before signing a two-year entry-level contract with the Lightning. In his second season with the organization, Colton won the Stanley Cup by scoring the Stanley Cup-clinching goal in Game 5. He was traded to the Avalanche in the 2023 off-season.

Early life

Colton was born on September 11, 1996, in Robbinsville Township, New Jersey, United States. [1] Colton was born into an athletic family; his father Rob was a baseball and soccer player at Steinert High School while his mother played basketball at McCorristin. [2] Growing up, Colton was a fan of the New Jersey Devils and considered Zach Parise as his favorite player. [3] Colton attended Sharon Elementary School in Robbinsville and Pond Road Middle School. [4]

Playing career

Growing up in New Jersey, Colton began his ice hockey career with the Mercer Chiefs under head coach Chris Barcless. [3] During the 2012–13 season, Colton played with the New Jersey Rockets of the Atlantic Youth Hockey League where he recorded 22 goals and 41 points in 23 games. [5] After being cut from a couple of local hockey Festival teams, Colton started training with Kevin Wagner and Barcless [6] before joining Princeton Day School alongside his older brother Robert. [7] During his time at Princeton, Colton played both hockey and baseball before transferring to Taft School, a boarding school in Connecticut, for his junior year. [6]

Following his junior year at Taft, Colton was drafted in the 11th round, 179th overall, by the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders of the United States Hockey League (USHL). During his time with the team, he attended and graduated from Washington High School in Iowa. [2] During his second season with the RoughRiders, Colton set a league record for most goals and points at a USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game and was subsequently named Team East's Most Valuable Player. [8] He was also selected for Team USA's World Junior A Challenge Select Team where he scored five points to earn a bronze medal. [9] Prior to the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, Colton ranked second in the league in points and goals with 35 goals and 66 points. As a result, he was drafted in the fourth round, 118th overall, by the Tampa Bay Lightning. [10]

Collegiate

Colton played for the Vermont Catamounts men's ice hockey (UVM) team for two seasons before turning professional. During his freshman season, Colton skated in 33 games and recorded a team-high 12 goals and 15 assists. [11] Despite missing four of the final five games of the season due to an injury, he tied for the team-lead in goals and second in points. As a result of his offensive output, Colton was named to the Pro Ambitions Hockey East All-Rookie Team. [12]

Colton returned to the Catamounts for his sophomore season, where he skated in nearly all 37 games and posted career-highs in goals, power-play goals, and points. [11] He recorded his first collegiate hat trick on October 7, 2017, in a 4–3 loss to Colorado College, becoming the first UVM player to do so since Jon Turk on October 11, 2014. [13] As a result of his offensive output, Colton earned a Hockey East All-Star Honorable Mention. [14]

During the 2018 offseason, Colton initially turned down a professional contract in order to return to the Catamounts for his junior season. [15] However, he later concluded his collegiate career on June 26, 2018, by signing a two-year entry-level contract with the Lightning. He finished his tenure at Vermont with 28 goals and 50 points through 69 total games. [16]

Professional

Tampa Bay Lightning

Upon concluding his collegiate career, Colton attended the Lightning's 2018 training camp before being assigned to their American Hockey League affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch for the 2018–19 season. [17] He recorded his first professional career goal during a 6–3 loss to the Charlotte Checkers on October 27, 2018. [18] As the season continued, Colton maintained a scoring streak of seven points within five games including his first career multi-goal game. [19] He finished his rookie season ranked third on the team for goals with 14 and was fourth overall with 31 points. [20]

Following his rookie season, Colton was invited to participate in the Lightning's training camp [21] but was again returned to the Crunch for the 2019–20 season. [22] Colton appeared in every game for the Crunch before the season was ultimately cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, leading the team in assists and finishing second on the team in points scored. Once the league returned to play in January, Colton was re-called to the NHL level after playing in three AHL games. [23] On February 24, 2021, Colton skated in his first career NHL game in a 3–0 Lightning win over the visiting Carolina Hurricanes at Amalie Arena. During the game, he recorded his first career NHL goal and point, becoming the ninth player in Lightning history to score a goal in their NHL debut. Colton also joined Nikita Kucherov as the only players in team history to record a game-winning goal in their first game. [24] He remained with the team as they pushed to qualify for the 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs, while also recording nine goals and 12 points in 30 regular-season games. [25]

As the Lightning qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs, Colton made his postseason debut playing on their third and fourth line. He recorded his first post-season goal during Game 3 in an overtime loss to the Florida Panthers. [26] Following this, he became a replacement for Barclay Goodrow on the Lightning's third line and scored the teams' sole goal in a 4–1 loss during Game 5. [27] The Lightning eventually eliminated the Panthers from playoff contention and advanced to the Stanley Cup Second Round against the Hurricanes. While playing alongside Patrick Maroon and Tyler Johnson, he helped the team advance to the Stanley Cup semifinals by scoring a goal in a 2–0 win over the Hurricanes. [28] [29] On July 7, 2021, Colton scored the first goal of Game 5 that ended up being the winning goal of the 2021 Stanley Cup Finals, giving Tampa Bay their third Stanley Cup win in franchise history. [30]

As a restricted free agent leading into the 2021–22 NHL season, Colton and the Lightning agreed to a two-year, $2.25 million contract extension on August 9, 2021. [31] Solidifying his importance to the Lightning's depth scoring, Colton established new career marks in posting 22 goals, becoming the ninth player in Tampa Bay history to score 20 goals in his first or second NHL season. [32] He added 17 assists for 39 points in his first full NHL season and appearing in 79 regular season games. In the post-season, Colton continued to elevate his game posting 9 points in 23 games, helping the Lightning reach the 2022 Stanley Cup Finals for the third season in succession, before losing against the Colorado Avalanche.

In the 2022–23 season, Colton appeared in a career high 81 regular season games, adding 16 goals and 32 points for the Lightning. He notched 1 goal and 4 points in the playoffs in an opening round defeat to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Colorado Avalanche

As a pending restricted free agent at the conclusion of his two year contract, Colton was traded by the Lightning to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for a second-round selection prior to the 2023 NHL Entry Draft on June 28, 2023. [33] [32] While in contract negotiations with the Avalanche, Colton filed for salary arbitration on July 5, 2023. [34] On July 17, 2023, Colton and the Avalanche avoided arbitration by agreeing to a four-year, $16 million contract. [35]

Career statistics

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
2014–15 Cedar Rapids RoughRiders USHL 581518332230000
2015–16 Cedar Rapids RoughRidersUSHL553531667951012
2016–17 University of Vermont HE 3312152722—————
2017–18 University of VermontHE361672347—————
2018–19 Syracuse Crunch AHL 661417313641012
2019–20 Syracuse CrunchAHL6211314264—————
2020–21 Syracuse CrunchAHL31230—————
2020–21 Tampa Bay Lightning NHL 309312162342612
2021–22 Tampa Bay LightningNHL79221739242354913
2022–23 Tampa Bay LightningNHL811616325061344
2023–24 Colorado Avalanche NHL8017234061111342
NHL totals27064591231516311122331

Awards and honors

AwardYear
NHL
Stanley Cup champion 2021 [30]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tampa Bay Lightning</span> National Hockey League team in Tampa, Florida

The Tampa Bay Lightning are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. The Lightning compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference. They play their home games at Amalie Arena in Downtown Tampa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Martin St. Louis</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1975)

Martin St. Louis is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach and former player who is the head coach for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL). An undrafted player, St. Louis played a total of 1,134 games, scoring 391 goals and 1,033 points in an NHL career that began with the Calgary Flames in 1998 and ended with the New York Rangers in 2015. He is best remembered for having played with the Tampa Bay Lightning and was a member of the Lightning's 2004 Stanley Cup championship team. St. Louis also briefly played with HC Lausanne of the Swiss National League A. He was elected into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2018; his first year of eligibility. St. Louis is widely considered one of the best undrafted players of all time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Corey Perry</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1985)

Corey Perry is a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He played the first 14 years of his career with the Anaheim Ducks, and has also played for the Dallas Stars, Montreal Canadiens, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Chicago Blackhawks. Perry is known for his goal-scoring ability and an abrasive playing style with an ability to get under his opponent's skin; the former earned him the affectionate nickname "Scorey Perry", the latter the less affectionate "the Worm".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ian Cole</span> American ice hockey player (born 1989)

Ian Douglas Cole is an American professional ice hockey defenseman for the Utah Hockey Club of the National Hockey League (NHL). Cole won the Stanley Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2016 and 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ben Chiarot</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1991)

Ben Chiarot is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman and alternate captain for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the fourth round, 120th overall, by the Atlanta Thrashers in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. Chiarot has previously played for the Winnipeg Jets, Montreal Canadiens and Florida Panthers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tyler Johnson (ice hockey)</span> American ice hockey player (born 1990)

Tyler Johnson is an American professional ice hockey player who is currently signed to a professional tryout (PTO) with the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League (NHL). He most recently played with the Chicago Blackhawks in the National Hockey League (NHL). Johnson won back-to-back Stanley Cup championships with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2020 and 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vladislav Namestnikov</span> Russian ice hockey player (born 1992)

Vladislav Yevgenievich Namestnikov is a Russian professional ice hockey centre for the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected 27th overall by the Lightning in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, and has previously played in the NHL with the Tampa Bay Lightning, New York Rangers, Ottawa Senators, Colorado Avalanche, Detroit Red Wings and Dallas Stars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nikita Kucherov</span> Russian ice hockey player (born 1993)

Nikita Igorevich Kucherov is a Russian professional ice hockey right winger and alternate captain for the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League (NHL). Regarded as one of the best players in the world, Kucherov won the Hart Memorial Trophy as the NHL's most valuable player, Art Ross Trophy as the league's leading scorer, and the Ted Lindsay Award as the best player voted by fellow NHL players, for the 2018–19 season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ondřej Palát</span> Czech ice hockey player (born 1991)

Ondřej Palát is a Czech professional ice hockey winger and alternate captain for the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted in the seventh round, 208th overall, by the Tampa Bay Lightning at the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. Palát won the Stanley Cup back-to-back with the Lightning in 2020 and 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark Barberio</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1990)

Mark Barberio is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who currently plays for Severstal Cherepovets of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). Barberio was selected by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the sixth round, 152nd overall, of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alex Killorn</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1989)

Alexander Joseph Killorn is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward and alternate captain for the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the third round, 77th overall, of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. Killorn won back-to-back Stanley Cups with the Lightning in 2020 and 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jonathan Drouin</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1995)

Jonathan Drouin is a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger for the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League (NHL). After a stellar 2012-13 season with the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)'s Halifax Mooseheads, in which he was named CHL Player of the Year and won the Memorial Cup, Drouin was selected in the first round, third overall, by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. On June 15, 2017, Drouin was traded to the Montreal Canadiens where he played a total of six seasons, before signing with the Avalanche as a free agent on July 1, 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brayden Point</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1996)

Brayden Point is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre playing for the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League (NHL). The Lightning selected Point in the third round, 79th overall in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. Point won back-to-back Stanley Cups with the Lightning in 2020 and 2021, leading the playoffs in goal scoring both times, including scoring the Stanley Cup-clinching goal of the 2020 Stanley Cup Finals.

The 2018–19 Tampa Bay Lightning season was the 27th season for the National Hockey League (NHL) franchise that was established on December 16, 1991. The team clinched a playoff spot on March 8, 2019, when the Montreal Canadiens lost 8–2 to the Anaheim Ducks. This season marked the first time that Tampa won the Presidents' Trophy in franchise history, winning the Atlantic Division for the second consecutive year as well, their fourth division title overall. They also became the second team in league history to win 62 games, matching the record set by the 1995–96 Detroit Red Wings, with the 2022–23 Boston Bruins later setting a new NHL record with their 63rd win on April 8, 2023. Their record-setting season ended abruptly when they became the first Presidents' Trophy winner to get swept in the first round of the playoffs, losing to the Columbus Blue Jackets. This was also the first time since 2014 that the Lightning were eliminated from the Stanley Cup playoffs in the first round. In addition, this was the second time the Lightning were swept in the first round by a lower seeded team; the first time also being 2014, against the Canadiens.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carter Verhaeghe</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1995)

Carter Verhaeghe is a Canadian professional ice hockey player for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted in the third round, 82nd overall in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft by the Toronto Maple Leafs. He played for the minor league affiliates of the Maple Leafs and New York Islanders, but did not play in the NHL until being traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Verhaeghe won the Stanley Cup as a member of the Lightning in 2020, after which he signed as a free agent with the Panthers. Verhaeghe won a second Stanley Cup with Florida in 2024, becoming the first player to win a Stanley Cup with both teams from the state of Florida.

The 2020–21 Tampa Bay Lightning season was the 29th season for the National Hockey League (NHL) franchise that was established on December 16, 1991. The Lightning entered the season as the defending Stanley Cup champions. In a joint announcement from the NHL and NHLPA on October 6, 2020, a target date of January 1, 2021 was set for the start of the season. It was reported December 18, 2020 that the two parties had tentatively agreed to a 56-game season scheduled to begin on January 13, 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 Stanley Cup Finals</span> 2021 ice hockey championship series

The 2021 Stanley Cup Finals was the championship series of the National Hockey League's (NHL) 2020–21 season and the culmination of the 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs. The series was between the Montreal Canadiens and the defending champion Tampa Bay Lightning. The Lightning won the best-of-seven series, four games to one, for their second consecutive and the third overall championship in franchise history. Tampa Bay had home-ice advantage in the series with the better regular season record.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021–22 Tampa Bay Lightning season</span> National Hockey League season

The 2021–22 Tampa Bay Lightning season was the 30th season for the National Hockey League (NHL) franchise that was established on December 16, 1991. The Lightning entered the season as the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Stanley Cup Finals</span> 2022 ice hockey championship series

The 2022 Stanley Cup Finals was the championship series of the National Hockey League's (NHL) 2021–22 season and the culmination of the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs. The series was between the Eastern Conference and two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning and the Western Conference champion Colorado Avalanche. The Avalanche defeated the Lightning in six games for their third Stanley Cup championship in franchise history and first since 2001. Colorado had home ice advantage in the series with the better regular season record.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022–23 Tampa Bay Lightning season</span> National Hockey League season

The 2022–23 Tampa Bay Lightning season was the 31st season for the National Hockey League (NHL) franchise that was established on December 16, 1991. They entered this season as defending Eastern Conference champions. On April 1, 2023, the Lightning clinched a playoff spot after a win over the New York Islanders. However, their three-year run to the Stanley Cup Finals would come to an unfortunate end when they were eliminated by the Toronto Maple Leafs in six games in the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs.

References

  1. ↑ "Ross Colton". Elite Prospects. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  2. 1 2 Fisher, Rick (March 8, 2016). "Ross Colton excels for the United States Hockey League's Cedar Rapids Roughriders". Community News. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  3. 1 2 Nardine, Kyle (June 7, 2021). "From RVille to the NHL, Hometown Hero Ross Colton Scoring Big". TapInto. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  4. ↑ Mancuso, Michael (July 18, 2021). "N.J.'s Stanley Cup star returns home to a celebration from neighbors (PHOTOS)". nj.com. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  5. ↑ Boyd, Joshua (July 7, 2021). "Rockets Hockey Club 16U Alum Ross Colton Scores Stanley Cup Game-Winner For Tampa Bay Lightning". United States Premier Hockey League. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  6. 1 2 Zola-DeLibero, Lisa (August 2, 2016). "NHL comes calling for Robbinsville native Ross Colton". Community News. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  7. ↑ "Princeton Day School Alumnus Ross Colton '15 Clinches Stanley Cup In Rookie Season For Tampa Bay Lightning". Princeton Day School. July 8, 2021. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  8. ↑ Morreale, Mike G. (January 12, 2016). "Colton sets records at USHL Prospects Game". National Hockey League. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  9. ↑ Spencer, Sidney (January 14, 2016). "HS Ice Hockey Notebook: Princeton Day star Ross Colton having great year". Trenton Trentonian . Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  10. ↑ "Lightning make nine picks on Day 2 at 2016 NHL Draft". National Hockey League. June 25, 2016. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  11. 1 2 "Ross Colton". University of Vermont. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  12. ↑ "Colton Earns Spot on Hockey East All-Rookie Team". University of Vermont. March 15, 2017. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  13. ↑ "Colton's Hat Trick Not Enough in 4-3 Loss to Colorado College". University of Vermont. October 7, 2017. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  14. ↑ "Hockey East announces All-Star Teams, All-Rookie Team, seven individual awards". USCHO. March 14, 2018. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  15. ↑ "Colton and Coughlin Turn Down Professional Offers, Return to Catamounts for 2018-19 Season". University of Vermont. March 23, 2018. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  16. ↑ "Lightning sign forward Ross Colton to two-year contract". National Hockey League. June 26, 2018. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  17. ↑ "Lightning reduce training camp roster by 25". National Hockey League. September 23, 2018. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  18. ↑ "Crunch Toppled By Checkers, 6-3". Syracuse Crunch. October 27, 2018. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  19. ↑ Favale, Luke (January 2, 2019). "Crunch close 2018 on five-game win streak". National Hockey League. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  20. ↑ "Lightning re-sign Ross Colton to one-year contract". National Hockey League. October 14, 2020. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  21. ↑ "Lightning announce 2019 Training Camp roster, schedule". National Hockey League. September 11, 2019. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  22. ↑ "Lightning reduce training camp roster by nine". National Hockey League. September 22, 2019. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  23. ↑ "Alex Barre-Boulet, Ross Colton recalled from Syracuse to the taxi squad". National Hockey League. February 15, 2021. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  24. ↑ "Ross Colton scores in NHL debut as Lightning beat Hurricanes". Sportsnet. February 24, 2021. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  25. ↑ Lomon, Chris (June 17, 2021). "LIGHTNING ROOKIE ROSS COLTON FEEDING OFF TEAMMATES AMID PLAYOFF PUSH". NHLPA. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  26. ↑ "Lightning's Ross Colton: First career playoff goal". CBS News. May 20, 2021. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  27. ↑ Faiello, Mari (May 25, 2021). "Ross Colton fills hole on Lightning's 'gritty' third line". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on May 25, 2021. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  28. ↑ Encina, Eduardo A. (June 8, 2021). "Lightning close out Hurricanes, advance to Stanley Cup semifinals". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on June 9, 2021. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  29. ↑ Faiello, Mari (June 9, 2021). "Lightning 's Ross Colton doesn't let lack of experience define postseason play". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on June 9, 2021. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  30. 1 2 Kaplan, Emily (July 7, 2021). "Tampa Bay Lightning close out Montreal Canadiens in Game 5 to win second straight Stanley Cup". ESPN . Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  31. ↑ "Lightning, Ross Colton settle on two-year, $2.25M contract". Sportsnet. August 9, 2021. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  32. 1 2 "Avalanche acquires Ross Colton from Lightning". Colorado Avalanche. June 28, 2023. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  33. ↑ "Lightning acquire the 37th overall pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft". Tampa Bay Lightning. June 28, 2023. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  34. ↑ "22 restricted free agents file for salary arbitration". National Hockey League. July 5, 2023. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  35. ↑ "Avalanche sign forward Ross Colton to four-year, $16M contract". Sportsnet.ca. Retrieved 2023-07-17.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.