To those unfamiliar with the Colorado Eagles, Keaton Middleton was a joyful surprise on the Colorado Avalanche roster.

The 6-foot-6, 240-pound defenseman towers over those he plays against. His size makes him an effective defenseman. He spent half of the season in an Avalanche sweater after getting recalled from Loveland in December 2024.

Prior to his graduation to the NHL, he played 17 games with the Eagles. He recorded four assists and finished with a plus-5 rating.

Middleton’s leadership and physical play were consistent with the Colorado Eagles. His breakout year came during the 2022–2023 season, with three goals and 20 assists. He also wore the “A” as an alternate captain, again proving his tenacity and leadership capabilities.

While he didn’t put up record numbers with the Avalanche, one cannot accurately show his true strengths on a stat sheet. In his 41 regular season game appearances with the Avalanche, he had only two assists.

He uses his size to his advantage, frequently showcasing big hits and an “enforcer” style of play. Although often found on the defensive bottom pairings, Middleton’s size itself is a significant advantage. He is intimidating and aggressive and is strong in the defensive zone.

He tallied 69 hits and blocked 35 shots in the regular season, further proving his willingness to sacrifice his body for the team.

Despite limited offensive numbers, his value is largely because of his consistency, physicality, and reliability.

If he continues to improve, he could easily earn a permanent spot on the Avalanche roster. At only 27 years old, he has experience but still plenty of time to grow. With continued development, his potential with the Avalanche looks more promising than ever.

He signed a two-year extension deal, keeping him within the organization until at least the end of the 2026–2027 season.