Denver Post sports writer Adrian Dater posts his Avs Mailbag each Monday during the 2005-06 NHL season on DenverPost.com.
To drop a question into the Mailbag or visit DenverPost.com’s .
Hey, Adrian. I’ve been an Avalanche fan ever since they moved out of Quebec, and I usually check the Avalanche section on this website for the latest news about the team. I was reading the editorial called “,” and I saw Alexei Gusarov’s name mentioned. Want happened to him?
— Keyshan, Montreal
The Goose!
The Goose was one of the more unique players I’ve ever covered. He never did interviews, but was funny and friendly.
The Goose is living up in the Colorado foothills, where he runs a successful trash-management company. Hard to believe, but true.
Who are some players who will have their numbers retired by the team when they are done playing? Joe Sakic is a given, but what do you think about Peter Forsberg and Adam Foote? Maybe even Rob Blake, but I don’t know if he will have played long enough for the team? Hopefully in 10 years, Alex Tanguay and Milan Hejduk can join them.
— Rob Duwa, Iowa City, Iowa
Rob – I don’t think you’ll see Foote’s No. 52 retired. He might deserve it, but I don’t think it’ll happen. He was a good player, very good. But great? I don’t know about that. Forsberg, I bet his No. 21 will be up in the rafters some day. He was a superstar in Denver, and I think it’s a worthy honor. I’m one who doesn’t believe numbers should be retired very easily. I think it takes an extraordinary player who did amazing things for the team, not just some guy who played for a long time.
I would doubt Blake, Hejduk and Tanguay get theirs retired, but I could be wrong. Some big years could make me change my mind.
A.D. – Can the same players be used for the sudden-death shootout when the teams tied again in the first shootout?
— Bryan, Denver
Bryan – Good question. The answer is no. Here is more detail, straight from the NHL rulebook:
(NOTE 1) The Teams will not change ends for the shootout. The visiting Team will shoot first. The teams shall alternate shots.
(NOTE 2) Three (3) players from each team shall participate in the shootout and they shall proceed in such order as the Coach selects. All players are eligible to participate in the shootout unless they are serving a ten minute misconduct or have been assessed a game misconduct, gross misconduct or match penalty.
(NOTE 3) Once the shootout begins, the goalkeeper cannot be replaced unless he is injured. No warm up shall be permitted for a substitute goalkeeper.
(NOTE 4) Each team will be given three shots, unless the outcome is determined earlier in the shootout. After each team has taken three shots, if the score remains tied, the shootout will proceed to a “sudden death” format. No player may shoot twice until everyone who is eligible has shot.
Can you explain why the Avs put Brett McLean on waivers one day (Oct. 4) then added him back on the roster the next day (Oct. 5)? It appeared Cody McCormick had made the team when McLean was placed on waivers, but he was sent to Lowell after McLean re-joined the team? I’m confused!
— Rick Sallee, Camp Red Cloud, South Korea
Rick – You’re not the only one. It was tough for us reporters, too.
Basically, it was an attempt by the Avs to get someone to take McLean’s salary off their hands. By putting McCormick in Lowell, the Avs don’t have to pay him the NHL minimum $450,000 salary. He has a two-way contract, and will make considerably less in Lowell. McLean has a one-way contract, which means they’d still have to pay him $450,000 in Lowell. There were no takers for McLean on the waiver wire, so the Avs took him back and gave McCormick the tough news he would be sent down to make room for him.
McLean’s feelings no doubt are bruised over this, but there’s one way to make the Avs forget about doing this again: play well.
Hi, Adrian. Why is it that the Avs played fewer preseason games than everyone else – as many as three less? Thanks.
— DC Scott, Denver
DC – Mostly, because of travel reasons. Being a Western team where most road games require a minimum two-hour flight, Colorado’s costs are a lot higher than, say, New York, which can bus across the river to play in New Jersey and still be home that night for last call.
The Avs used to play preseason games in faraway locales such as Hershey, Pa., Moline, Ill., Lafayette, La., and Hartford, Conn. Apparently, that was too economically unfeasible.
Adrian: Is there a chance Milan Hejduk could come back early as a shootout specialist?
— Dave H., Longmont
Dave – Good thought, but no. He must be an active player who plays in a game before being used in a shootout.
I am a real fan of your team, even though I am 12 years old. Why did you let Peter Forsberg go? He’s one of my favorite players and my hero!
— Jake Cechini, Centennial
Jake – You’ll find out all the reasons why when you take your first economics class in school.
Foppa was a lot of people’s favorite player, but as Gordon Gekko says in “Wall Street” (one of my favorite flicks), “It’s all about bucks, kid.”
Hello, Adrian. I’m visiting Denver next week to take in the Predators and Blackhawks games as well as a Broncos game. Besides the games, what else should I make sure to take in as a visitor to Denver and a dedicated, diehard Avalanche fan? Thanks.
— Corey Beaudoin, Hamilton, Ontario
Corey – Well, let me play tour guide here. And I expect a cut from the Denver Chamber of Commerce for this!
Well, you’ve got to go to the mountains. Take the 90-minute drive up I-70 West to Vail and see some wonderful scenery. Stop in Idaho Springs for some on the way back.
Have a cold one at the after the game. You might even run into a player or two. Go to Golden and walk on Main Street. Eat some buffalo burgers at any number of places. Walk around the 16th St. Mall downtown, maybe see a show or play in the Arts district.
Oh, and buy The Denver Post every day, especially the Friday one, which will have tons of activities listed that I forgot to mention. Have fun.
Adrian – Can you tell me what is behind the numbers that goalies choose. I’ve noticed that almost all goalies choose No. 1 or a number in the 30s. Is this a tradition? What are its origins?
— Scott, Thornton
Scott – I can’t really find much on the history of why goalies choose their numbers, but it’s a good question. You’re right, a goalie always seems to have numbers in those two categories.
I guess it’s the same reason why quarterbacks almost always wear No. 12 – it’s just a tradition. Maybe some hockey historian out there can fill us all in soon, and we’ll put it in a future Avs Mailbag installment.
Adrian Dater has covered the Colorado Avalanche since the team moved to Denver in 1995. To drop a question into his Mailbag or visit DenverPost.com’s .
