Bowling Green State University Athletics
BGSU's Gustav Stjernberg Signs with the Colorado Avalanche
March 13, 2026 | Ice Hockey
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – Former Bowling Green Falcons men's ice hockey defenseman Gustav Stjernberg has signed a two-year NHL contract with the Colorado Avalanche beginning with the 2026-27 season, the organization announced Thursday. Stjernberg will join the Colorado Eagles of the American Hockey League on an AHL contract for the remainder of the 2025-26 campaign.
Stjernberg, 23, recently completed his junior season at Bowling Green State University, where he served as an alternate captain for the Falcons. The Enebyberg, Sweden, native recorded 10 points (6 goals, 4 assists) in 25 games this season, leading Bowling Green defensemen in goals, setting a career high in that category while ranking sixth on the team in overall scoring. He also led the Falcons with 34 blocked shots, highlighting his impact on the defensive end.
During his three-year career with Bowling Green from 2023-26, Stjernberg appeared in 86 games, totaling 37 points (14 goals, 23 assists) from the blue line. His sophomore campaign in 2024-25 marked a career year as he posted personal bests in assists (12), points (16) and plus-minus (+7) while also leading the team with 42 blocked shots.
As a freshman in 2023-24, Stjernberg skated in 31 games, the most of his collegiate career, and paced all Falcon defensemen with 11 points (4 goals, 7 assists).
Before arriving in Bowling Green, the 6-foot-4, 209-pound defenseman spent the 2022-23 season in the United States Hockey League with the Des Moines Buccaneers. Stjernberg totaled 20 points (8 goals, 12 assists) in 62 games, leading all Des Moines defensemen in goals and ranking second among the team's blueliners in scoring. He also appeared in two postseason games for the Buccaneers.
Prior to his move to North America, Stjernberg developed in Sweden with Örebro HK. He spent three seasons in the club's U-20 program from 2019-22, recording 34 points (12 goals, 22 assists) in 66 games and adding five points in six playoff contests during the 2021-22 postseason. Stjernberg also skated for Örebro's U-18 team earlier in his development and made one appearance with the club's professional team in the Swedish Hockey League during the 2021-22 season.
Stjernberg becomes the latest Falcon to sign with an NHL organization, continuing the tradition of Bowling Green State University developing players ready to advance to the professional ranks.
