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• The Colorado Avalanche play professional hockey in the Northwest division of the NHL's Western Conference.

  On June 4, 2009, the Avalanche announced former player Joe Sacco as the team's new head coach, replacing Tony Granato, who was fired. The team previously offered former Avalanche legend Patrick Roy the job, but he declined.ESPN.com: Roy Will Not Take Avalanche Job

• Fast Facts

  1. Owner: Stan Kroenke
  2. General Manager: Pierre Lacroix (interim)
  3. Coach: Joe Sacco
  4. Inaugural season: 1972
  5. Finals appearances: Two
  6. Stanley Cups: Two (last in 2001)
  7. Home: Pepsi Center, Denver

• Early Years

  The team was originally founded in 1972 in Canada. First called the Quebec Nordiques, they were a founding member of the World Hockey Association. For their first ever game, they were led by now Hockey Hall of Fame member Maurice Richard. The game however was a loss and Richard resigned as coach. After falling to the Houston Aeros in the 1975 championship finals, they returned to the championship series in 1977. Their second attempted proved more successful, as they won the WHA championship that season, defeating the Winnipeg Jets to win the Avco World Trophy.

• Early NHL Years

  Following the dissolution of the WHA in 1979, the Nordiques were absorbed into the NHL. The next 16 seasons were less than successful the team, as they failed to reach the Stanley Cup finals during any of the seasons.

• Move to Colorado

  The owners of the Nordiques fell on hard times financially and were forced to sell the team in 1995. The team was purchased by investors in Denver, Colorado, where the team was moved and renamed the Colorado Avalanche.

• Beginners Luck

  Following their move to the states, the Avalanche finished first in their division going into the playoffs. They defeated the Vancouver Canucks, Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings to reach the Stanley Cup finals for the first time in franchise history. Their luck continued as they swept the Florida Panthers to win their first Stanley Cup Championship. They repeated this feat in the 2001 post season, winning the Cup over the New Jersey Devils in seven games.

• Players and Alumni

  Below is a list of players who are either currently or formally on the team roster.

• Goalies

  • Peter Budaj
  • Andrew Raycroft
  • Patrick Roy (95-03)

• Defensemen

  • Brett Clark
  • Kyle Cumiskey
  • Adam Foote
  • Scott Hannan
  • Jordan Leopold
  • John-Michael Liles
  • Ruslan Salei
  • Daniel Tjarnqvist

• Forwards

  • Tyler Arnason
  • Peter Forsberg (95-04),(08)
  • Ben Guite
  • Milan Hejduk
  • T.J. Hensick
  • David Jones
  • Ian Laperriere
  • Claude Lemieux (95-00)
  • Cody McCormick
  • Cody McLeod
  • Joe Sakic
  • Ryan Smyth
  • Paul Stastny
  • Marek Svatos
  • Darcy Tucker
  • Brian Willsie
  • Wojtek Wolski

• Related Pages on Mahalo

  Joe Sakic | Raymond Bourque | Patrick Roy | Calgary Flames | Edmonton Oilers | Minnesota Wild | Vancouver Canucks | Detroit Red Wings | Jose Theodore | Milan Hejduk | Paul Stastny | Peter Forsberg | Eric Lindros | Colorado Rockies | Denver Nuggets | Denver Broncos | NHL Winter Classic | NHL Trade Rumors | Vintage NHL Jerseys | Claude Lemieux | Joel Quenneville | Albany River Rats | Joe Sacco

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