Franchise snapshot: Colorado Avalanche - inside hockey - Brief Article

Hockey Digest, May, 2002 by Alex Gordon

* The Avalanche have been much more successful than Denver's previous NHL entry, the Colorado Rockies. In 1976 the Kansas City Scouts relocated to Denver and in six seasons in the Mile High City, the Rockies only made the playoffs once and never won a postseason game. The Avs, on the other hand, in seven seasons since moving from Quebec have yet to miss the playoffs, winning two titles since relocating from Quebec. The Rockies moved to New Jersey in 1981 and became the Devils.

* E. Stanley Kroenke, the owner of the Avalanche, is also a co-owner of the NFL's St. Louis Rams.

* Goalie Patrick Roy is highly superstitious. Among his quirks: He will not skate on the blue or red lines; he writes the names of his kids on his sticks before the games; and he keeps a puck from every shutout during the season in his locker.

* Coach Bob Hartley has an ice arena named in his honor in his hometown of Hawkesbury, Ontario.

* Joe Sakic is truly "Mr. Avalanche." Having spent his whole career with the franchise, he holds the club marks for games, goals, assists, and points.

* Avalanche games are broadcast on radio stations in six states: Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, South Dakota, and Wyoming. The closest NHL city to Denver is Phoenix, which is 586 miles away as the crow flies.

* Defenseman Rob Blake has his own line of clothing called Blueline (www.blueline.com). Matt Johnson of the Minnesota Wild is the co-owner of the company.

* Chris Drury first achieved fame as the winning pitcher in the 1989 Little League World Series vs. Taiwan.

* Peter Forsberg is such a legendary figure in his native Sweden that the 1998 Olympic hero was featured on a postage stamp.

* If Colorado wins its eighth-straight division title this season, the franchise will tie the NHL record for consecutive division titles set by the Montreal Canadiens (1975-82). Yes, we know this is only the Avs seventh season, but the Nordiques won their division in their last season in Quebec.

* Entering the 2001-02 season, over 25% of Milan Hejduk's career goals where game-winners.

* Ray Bourque, who finally won a championship as a member of the Avs last season, holds the mark for most assists scored against the franchise, with 100, and is tied for most points with Wayne Gretzky, with 132.

* The Avalanche's success is all that much more remarkable considering the sordid history of pro hockey in Denver. The Avs are actually the eighth professional hockey team to call Denver home. Besides the afore-mentioned Rockies, Denver has hosted the Falcons of the United States Hockey League (1950-51); the International Hockey League's Mavericks (1959); the Western Hockey League's Invaders (1963-64); the Spurs of the WHL, Central Hockey League, and finally the WHA (1968-76); the CHL's Flames (1982-83); the Rangers of the IHL (1986-89); and the IHL's Grizzlies (1994-95), the 1995 Turner Cup champions.

* The Avs' 1996 title was the first major sports championship in the city of Denver's history. Since then Mile High City residents have celebrated two Super Bowl victories by the Broncos and another Stanley Cup. While baseball's Rockies have been relatively successful in their limited history, Denver fans aren't holding their breath for the day the Nuggets win the NBA title.

* Defenseman Adam Foote spent his day with the Stanley Cup trophy last summer by hosting a pool party for 400 of his closest friends.

* Right winger Dan Hinote attended the U.S. Military Academy at West Point for a year before deciding he had a future shooting pucks, not bullets.

* Colorado strength and conditioning coach Paul Goldberg is married to the former Teri Klement, a member of the 2000 U.S. Olympic softball team.