He makes a salary of $750,000. He has a happy marriage, with a baby on the way. His living is made playing the game he loved as a kid.
That’s why, even though he is Canadian and celebrates Thanksgiving on a different date, Thursday was a special day in the household of Avalanche center Brett McLean.
“I’ve been through just about everything you can in my hockey career,” McLean said. “I appreciate the situation I’m in now. This was really nice to come back to the same team two years in a row.”
Not since 1997-98, when he played with Kelowna of the Western Hockey League, has McLean stayed with the same team two years in a row. Until his string of two straight with the Avalanche, the native of Comox, British Columbia, has played in Cleveland; Houston; Cincinnati; Chicago; Norfolk, Va.; Malmo, Sweden; and Brandon, Manitoba.
McLean, 28, thought he would be on the move again when he was placed on waivers by the Avalanche right before the 2005-06 season. When there were no takers, the Avs were pretty much forced to take him back. Perhaps they are happy about that now, as McLean has developed into a steady, hard-working forward with the occasional scoring touch.
In Wednesday’s 3-2 Avalanche shootout victory over the Anaheim Ducks, McLean might have been the Avs’ best player. He put five shots on goal, set up a goal by linemate Tyler Arnason and was a defensive presence.
McLean’s offensive numbers are not overwhelming – four goals, four assists – but his plus-6 leads all Avalanche forwards. Coach Joel Quenneville usually plays McLean 12-14 minutes a game, and has been happy with McLean’s production.
“He was very good (Wednesday),” Quenneville said. “That line was productive and gave us a lot of energy.”
McLean called his banishment to waivers as a “trying time,” but it might have given him the shock he needed to better his career. He played all 82 games for the Avs, posting a respectable 40 points (nine goals).
“What happened then is a constant reminder to me,” McLean said. “I don’t take anything for granted in this game. Anything can happen at any time.”
He got married over the summer to longtime girlfriend, Brenna, and a daughter is due in April.
“It’s very exciting. I’m really looking forward to being a father,” McLean said. “We haven’t got a name picked out yet. But my wife has pretty much told me that’ll be her decision.”
Arnason, who is having a good season with six goals and 15 points in 22 games and is a former teammate of McLean’s with the Chicago Blackhawks, calls McLean a “tough, hard-working player.”
“He’s strong on the puck and he’s pretty relentless going for the puck,” Arnason said. “He’s worked hard to get where he’s at, and he’s been good for me to play with.”
Adrian Dater can be reached at 303-954-1360 or adater@denverpost.com.
