Colorado Avalanche

Status:  Active
Sport:  Hockey
City:  Denver
Venue:   Ball Arena
Seasons:  1995-96 to present
League:  National Hockey League
Owners:  COMSAT (Communications Satellite Corporation)
  Stan Kroenke
Head Coaches:  Marc Crawford (1995-96 to 1997-98)
      Bob Hartley (1998-99 to 2002-03)
      Tony Granato (2002-03 to 2003-04, 2008-09)
      Joel Quenneville (2005-06 to 2007-08)
      Joe Sacco (2009-10 to 2012-13)
      Patrick Roy (2013-14 to 2015-16)
      Jared Bednar (2016-17 to present)

A Brief History

The Colorado Avalanche was originally the Quebec Nordiques, which began play in 1972 as one of the World Hockey Association's original teams. Though first awarded to a group in San Francisco, the franchise quickly moved to Quebec City before the season began when the California deal soured due to financial and arena problems. During their seven WHA seasons, the Nordiques won the Avco World Trophy once (1977), and lost the finals once (1975). In 1979 the WHA folded but the Nordiques, Edmonton Oilers, Hartford Whalers, and Winnipeg Jets were absorbed by the National Hockey League. The Nordiques struggled financially in the NHL until they were purchased by COMSAT (Communications Satellite Corporation) in July 1995 and moved to Denver. COMSAT filed copyright protection for the name "Black Bears", but then decided to name the team Rocky Mountain Extreme. When The Denver Post leaked the intended name, fan reaction was so negative that COMSAT reconsidered and chose the name Colorado Avalanche. In July 2000, the Avalanche was purchased by real estate entrepreneur Stan Kroenke. As part of the deal, Kroenke placed the team into a trust that would ensure they stay in Denver until 2025. Since moving to Denver, the Avalanche have won numerous Stanley Cup championships.

Season Won Lost Tie OT Loss SO Loss Finish
1995-96   47   25 10       0       0 1st in Pacific; NHL Stanley Cup CHAMPIONS
1996-97   49   24   9       0       0 1st in Pacific; lost in playoffs
1997-98   39   26 17       0       0 1st in Pacific; lost in playoffs
1998-99   44   28 10       0       0 1st in Northwest; lost in playoffs
1999-00   42   28 11       1       0 1st in Northwest; lost in playoffs
2000-01   52   16 10       4       0 1st in Northwest; NHL Stanley Cup CHAMPIONS
2001-02   45   28   8       1       0 1st in Northwest; lost in playoffs
2002-03   42   19 13       8       0 1st in Northwest; lost in playoffs
2003-04   40   22 13       7       0 2nd in Northwest; lost in playoffs
2004-05     --   --   --       --       -- Season cancelled due to league lockout
2005-06   43   30   0       3       6 2nd in Northwest; lost in playoffs
2006-07   44   31   0       3       4 4th in Northwest
2007-08   44   31   0       4       3 2nd in Northwest
2008-09   32   45   0       1       4 5th in Northwest
2009-10   43   30   0       4       5 2nd in Northwest; lost in playoffs
2010-11   30   44   0       7       1 4th in Northwest
2011-12   41   35   0       4       2 3rd in Northwest
2012-13   16   25   0       5       2 5th in Northwest
2013-14   52   22   0       4       4 1st in Central; lost in playoffs
2014-15   39   31   0       8       4 7th in Central
2015-16   39   39   0       4       0 6th in Central
2016-17   22   56   0       2       2 7th in Central
2017-18   43   30   0       8       1 4th in Central; lost in playoffs
2018-19   38   30   0     12       2 5th in Central; lost in playoffs
2019-20   42   20   0       7       1 2nd in Central; lost in playoffs
2020-21   39   13   0       3       1 1st in West; lost in playoffs
2021-22   56   19   0       5       2 1st in Central; NHL Stanley Cup CHAMPIONS

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Suggestions and comments are welcome!
Nathan@ColoradoProTeams.com