Jason Polin Bio
Jason Polin (born June 17, 1999) is an American professional ice hockey player who plays for the Colorado Eagles of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League (NHL). A right wing who shoots right, he stands 6 feet 0 inches tall and weighs 198 pounds. Polin went undrafted before signing his first professional deal and has developed into a depth scorer and power-play contributor for the Avalanche organization.
Born and raised in Holt, Michigan, Polin built his game through the United States Hockey League and the NCAA before reaching the professional ranks in 2023. He is best known for a record-setting senior season at Western Michigan University, where he tied for the national goal-scoring lead and set a conference record.
Early Life and Background
Jason Polin was born on June 17, 1999, in Holt, Michigan, a community in the Lansing metropolitan area. He grew up in a state with a strong hockey tradition, which gave him early and consistent exposure to the sport. He attended Washington High School while continuing to develop as a competitive player outside of his school schedule.
From a young age, Polin focused on building the offensive skills that would later define his game. His path through the youth and junior ranks reflected steady improvement and a willingness to take on larger roles with each team he joined. Family and community support in Michigan helped him balance academics and athletics during his formative years.
Path to Hockey
Polin’s route to professional hockey ran through the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders of the United States Hockey League (USHL), one of the top junior circuits in North America. He spent three seasons with the RoughRiders, appearing in 163 games and recording 55 goals and 38 assists. During the 2018–19 season, he ranked second on the team in scoring with 50 points on 30 goals and 20 assists, signaling his readiness for the college game.
Following his junior career, Polin committed to Western Michigan University, where he would spend the next four seasons. His development in the USHL, combined with his production against high-level competition, positioned him as a college recruit capable of contributing immediately. The transition to the NCAA marked the beginning of his most productive stretch as a young player.
Jason Polin Career
Early Career (2019–2022)
Polin began his collegiate career with the Western Michigan Broncos during the 2019–20 season, recording seven goals and two assists in 31 games. In his sophomore year, shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic, he produced seven goals and seven assists in 23 games. As a junior in 2021–22, he elevated his output with 16 goals and ten assists in 39 games, establishing himself as a consistent offensive contributor for the Broncos.
Over his first three college seasons, Polin showed steady growth in both production and responsibility. His ability to score at even strength and on the power play made him a trusted option for the Broncos coaching staff. This consistent development set the stage for a breakout senior campaign.
Western Michigan Breakthrough (2022–23)
On September 15, 2022, Polin was named captain of the Western Michigan Broncos for the 2022–23 season, a reflection of his leadership and on-ice value. During the championship game of the Great Lakes Invitational (GLI) on December 29, 2022, he recorded his fifth hat trick of the season to help the Broncos win the tournament, and was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. He became the first player in GLI history to score six goals in a single tournament, surpassing the previous record of five.
His five hat tricks during the season ranked second all-time in Western Michigan program history, one short of the program record. In his senior year, he set career highs in points (47), goals (30), assists (17), shots (152), power-play goals (6), game-winning goals (4), shorthanded goals (2), and plus-minus (+26). His 30 goals tied for the NCAA lead, matching Adam Fantilli, and set a National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) single-season record, surpassing the previous mark of 29 set by Josh Archibald in 2014.
Polin led the NCAA in hat tricks and set an NCHC record with five. He was named NCHC Player of the Year, NCHC Forward of the Year, and an AHCA West Second Team All-American, becoming the first Broncos player to win the NCHC Player of the Year award. He was also a top-ten finalist for the Hobey Baker Award. He finished his collegiate career with 60 goals and 36 assists in 132 games.
Colorado Eagles Era (2023–Present)
On March 29, 2023, Polin signed a one-year contract with the Colorado Avalanche for the 2023–24 season and was assigned to the Avalanche’s AHL affiliate, the Colorado Eagles, on a professional tryout. After overcoming an early-season injury, he earned a recall to the Avalanche and made his NHL debut in a fourth-line role against the Boston Bruins on January 8, 2024. He later registered his first NHL goal and point, scoring to level the game at 2–2 in an eventual 7–4 victory over the Ottawa Senators on January 16, 2024. Returning to the Eagles after seven appearances, he posted 4 goals and 10 points in 42 regular-season AHL games.
As a restricted free agent, Polin was re-signed to a one-year, two-way contract with the Avalanche for the 2024–25 season on July 6, 2024. Back with the Eagles, he again dealt with injuries but tallied 11 goals and 19 points in 39 regular-season outings. He was recalled and featured in two games with the Avalanche, going scoreless, before finishing the season in the playoffs with the Eagles.
On June 21, 2025, Polin opted to extend his stay in Colorado by re-signing to a further one-year, two-way contract extension, keeping him within the Avalanche organization for another season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Polin is recognized for his scoring touch around the net and his ability to finish in tight spaces, traits that fueled his record-setting college season. He excels as a power-play contributor and has shown a willingness to shoot from dangerous areas, ranking among national leaders in goals during his senior year. His combination of size, shot volume, and finishing instincts allows him to play effectively in bottom-six NHL roles while driving offense at the AHL level.
Notable Events and Milestones
Polin’s signature moment came during the 2022–23 Great Lakes Invitational, where his six goals set an all-time tournament record and helped Western Michigan claim the title. He also tied for the NCAA goal-scoring lead that season, matched only by future NHL star Adam Fantilli. His first NHL goal against the Ottawa Senators in January 2024 marked the latest milestone in his professional journey.
Jason Polin Career Wins
Jason Polin’s verified career highlights include the 2022 Great Lakes Invitational championship with Western Michigan and a series of individual scoring records at the college level. While he has not yet recorded a major professional championship, his consistent production in the AHL and his NHL debut in 2023–24 represent meaningful wins in his developing professional career.
Western Michigan Highlights
Polin’s most celebrated team victory came at the 2022 Great Lakes Invitational, where he scored six goals across the tournament, including a hat trick in the championship game, to lead Western Michigan to the title. He was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player for his performance. That same season, he set the NCHC single-season goal record with 30, cementing his place in conference history.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his college accolades, Polin recorded a productive USHL career with the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, highlighted by a 50-point season in 2018–19. His professional milestones include his NHL debut with the Colorado Avalanche and his first NHL goal against the Ottawa Senators, signaling his arrival at the top level of North American hockey.
Jason Polin Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Jason Polin’s immediate family is limited. He was raised in Holt, Michigan, a region known for producing competitive hockey talent, and his development through the USHL and NCAA suggests a supportive family environment that allowed him to pursue elite-level training from a young age.
Personal Life
Jason Polin keeps his personal life private. There is no publicly verified information about a spouse, partner, or children. He continues to reside in Colorado as a member of the Avalanche organization, balancing time between the NHL club and its AHL affiliate, the Colorado Eagles.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025–26 season, Jason Polin returns to the Colorado Avalanche organization after re-signing a one-year, two-way contract extension on June 21, 2025. The deal reflects the organization’s continued confidence in his development as a depth scorer capable of stepping into the NHL lineup when needed. He is expected to begin the season with the Colorado Eagles, where he has produced consistently over the past two AHL campaigns.
Polin’s 2024–25 season was a study in perseverance, as injuries again limited his availability, but he still managed 11 goals and 19 points in 39 regular-season games with the Eagles. He also earned a brief two-game recall to the Avalanche, gaining additional NHL experience. His playoff time with the Eagles provided further exposure to high-intensity hockey.
Looking ahead, Polin’s path to NHL playing time will depend on his ability to stay healthy and continue producing at the AHL level. Given his scoring pedigree, power-play skill, and the Avalanche’s track record of promoting from within, he remains a strong candidate to earn additional NHL opportunities during the 2025–26 campaign.
