For a team that came to Denver with no name in 1995, the Avalanche certainly has made a lasting mark on the city and the NHL. On Saturday night, with the Detroit Red Wings appropriately in the building, the Avs tooted their horn of success by marking their 500th sold-out game.
“Reaching the plateau of 500 sellouts is something that everyone in our organization and our fans should be really proud of,” Avalanche president Pierre Lacroix said in a release.
“Not so long ago, in 1995, this franchise moved and we started to work in a room filled with boxes. We had arrived in a booming community, which welcomed us with open arms. We knew that if we could provide this market with a winning team and exciting product, they would support us. They did right from the start and continue to do so.”
Mayor John Hickenlooper also noted the Avs’ achievement.
“The Colorado Avalanche earned a special place in local history by winning our state’s first national professional sports championship the year the team arrived in Denver,” Hickenlooper said. “More than a decade and 500 sellout games later, the Avs continue to serve our community with their exciting hockey and their support for local youth literacy, arts, and fitness programs.”
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman called the achievement “remarkable.”
“Over the years, it has become a foregone conclusion that the fans expect excellence from the Avalanche players and that the players expect no less of themselves,” Bettman said.
The team presented a special, signed team jersey to the 500th fan who entered the Pepsi Center on Saturday, and gave away a host of other prizes.
Charity driven
For the fourth time this season, the Avs – through the team’s Community Fund – made a pregame presentation of checks to various local charities. This time, the total was $117,000, spread among 16 local organizations.
Footnotes
Defenseman Jordan Leopold (groin) was held out of the lineup again. Defenders Patrice Brisebois (back) and John-Michael Liles (broken foot) also were out.
Terry Frei contributed to this report.
Adrian Dater can be reached at 303-954-1360 or adater@denverpost.com.
