The Colorado Avalanche signed 24-year-old forward Taylor Makar on Monday, officially bringing Cale Makar’s younger brother into the organization.
Taylor has signed a one-year entry-level contract through the 2025–26 season, and he will start his pro career at the AHL level. He'll spend the remainder of the season with the Colorado Eagles in the minors.
Cale's brother, a seventh-round pick in 2021, recently completed his senior season at the University of Maine, where he recorded 30 points (18 goals, 12 assists) in 38 games.
Taylor's season ended with a 5–1 loss to Penn State in the NCAA tournament, eliminating Maine from the Frozen Four.
Cale Makar, meanwhile, leads all NHL defensemen with 85 points in 75 games and remains the cornerstone of Colorado’s blue line.
Hockey fans online, however, weren’t entirely convinced of the Avalanche's move, with many of them seeing traces of nepotism in the addition of Cale's brother to the organization.
As soon as the Avalanche posted the news of the announcement on X, replies flooded in asking the same thing.
“Any relation?” asked @PooseUnpooses.
“Is that Cale’s brother?” added @gohabsgo69010, echoing dozens of others.
Colorado Avalanche defenseman and Taylor Makar's brother Cale Makar (8) during an NHL game.
Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
A few made the accusations clearer. “Nepotism at its finest!” wrote @fksambennett.
Another, @Matapumo, said simply, “Nepotism is craaaaazy.”
Some wondered aloud if Cale Makar had personally helped make it happen.
“Nice of Cale to make this happen…” @srasuchak posted, while @nzamora86 noted, “Should be helpful having his brother so close to him.”
The tone ranged from sarcastic to skeptical. “Bro got lucky,” wrote @OilyBigDog, pointing out Taylor had just turned 24, making him barely eligible for the one-year entry-level deal.
Another person, @Hadalifeb4this_, reacted bluntly, typing, “Who?”
And as fans of other teams watched the Avalanche get a second Makar, @MurphyJayson5 summed up the moment with disbelief.
“There’s two of them??”
