Thirteen years later, Andrew Brunette takes about half a second to answer the question:
“My first game? It was in Chicago, at the United Center, 1995-96 season, with Washington. I’ll never forget that night,” the Avalanche winger said. “The national anthem they do in Chicago, where everybody cheers and claps, I definitely had some butterflies. We won 3-2, and I was on the ice for two of the goals.”
Every player who has played an NHL game has a first game to recall. That makes for thousands of stories. They’re all the same, and they’re all special. There are six such stories on the Avalanche so far this season. Only one team, Chicago, has had more, with seven.
Of the six Avalanche players who made their NHL debuts this season, four currently are on the roster. The other two are in Cleveland, playing for the Lake Erie Monsters of the American Hockey League. They are too busy right now trying to get their NHL careers cemented for a lot of feet-up-on-the-desk, sentimental reflection.
But while most people can’t remember their dreams from the night before, players have no trouble recalling the night theirs came true. Here are their stories:
T.J. Hensick
debuted Nov. 30, HP Pavilion, at San Jose
After a stellar preseason, the Lansing, Mich., native started the season at Lake Erie, but was recalled when the injury bug hit the Avs.
“I think a thing I’ll always remember about that game is my parents being there. They flew in to see it, so it was pretty special. My first shift, I had a faceoff against Joe Thornton, so that was something to remember, playing against one of the top players in the league. I was extremely nervous before the game, but guys like Joe Sakic and Ryan Smyth were great, telling me what to expect. I thought I played pretty well that night, and I still have the tape of the game.
“After the game is when things kind of hit you, that you just played your first one. It’s kind of surreal. You realize you were on the ice with the best players in the world. We had to fly right after the game, so I only got to talk quick with my parents. But it was a special moment.”
Cody McLeod
debuted Dec. 19, Honda Center, at Anaheim
No NHL team drafted Mc-Leod when he was eligible, so few people figured he’d play in the league. Despite all the doubts, McLeod kept working hard, which comes easily for a kid who grew up on a farm in Binscarth, Manitoba.
“I’d just been called up, but I didn’t play the first game I was with the team, in Los Angeles. So when I got the call against Anaheim, I was real, real excited and nervous. I just remember thinking for a second, ‘I finally made it,’ when I took my first shift. All the hard work I’d put in finally had paid off. But other than that, I was just trying to not screw up.
“After a while, it started to feel like just another game. I just tried to do what I’ve always done, which is play physical. . . . I got into it with a couple guys on Anaheim, but I don’t really remember what I said, or what they said. It’s kind of a blur. But I just remember how special it felt to finally wear an NHL uniform in a real game.”
David Jones
debuted Dec. 21, Pepsi Center, vs. N.Y. Rangers
The former Dartmouth standout contributed to an Avs victory with nearly nine minutes of ice time. He played one more game with the Avs before being sent back to Lake Erie — right before Dartmouth was to play in Denver for a tournament.
“It was really something. I was real nervous. You definitely notice the pace of the game is much faster in the NHL. It was great to play against some guys you grew up watching, guys like (Brendan) Shanahan and (Jaromir) Jagr. You realize you’ve come a long way when you’re playing against guys like that.”
Johnny Boychuk
debuted Jan. 5, Pepsi Center, vs. New York Islanders
The Edmonton, Alberta, native was supposed to have made his NHL debut a lot sooner than this. He was a second-round draft pick by Colorado in 2002, but failed to latch on with the big club in several training camps. Despite those disappointments, Boychuk refused to give up on his dream, always staying positive. The Avs called him up from Lake Erie when they were in need of forward help after injuries to several players.
“My first shift was probably for about 20 seconds,” Boychuk said. “I just wanted to get out there and get the first one in there. In the second period, I got to play more than I thought, so I felt comfortable.
“They played me at forward, and I’m normally a defenseman. But they tried me out at forward in the preseason, and right before I got called up I played about five games at forward with Lake Erie. When I got called up, I was very excited. The first thing I did was call my mother, and she didn’t believe me.
“I remember one year I didn’t make the team out of camp, but Rob Blake came up to me and just told me to keep at it, to never give up. And he gave me a signed stick. I mean, that really inspired me, coming from a (possible) Hall of Famer like him.
“I thought of that when I was getting ready to play my first game. Everybody was great to me, just saying, ‘Don’t be nervous’ and to have fun. But I was nervous. Very nervous. But then you realize you’re playing the same game you’ve always played — just a little bit faster.”
Tyler Weiman
debuted Oct. 4, Sommet Center, at Nashville
Even though he played only the final 15:46 of the third period in a 4-0 loss to the Predators, things went well for the former Colorado Eagles goalie in his first NHL game.
He stopped all 10 Nashville shots he faced, and has excelled with the Monsters since being demoted upon Jose Theodore’s return from an injury.
“It was exciting getting in the game, but probably not the way you want. We were down and lost the game. You don’t want to have to come in to relieve the starting goalie (Peter Budaj). I’d rather my first game was a win. But it was something I won’t forget, I’m sure.”
Jaroslav Hlinka
debuted Oct. 3, Pepsi Center, vs. Dallas
While not a true NHL rookie, because he is too old, Hlinka didn’t play his first league game until opening night against the Stars. After years in the Czech League, Hlinka finally received an NHL contract from Colorado — and he shined in his first game, with two assists, in a 3-2 victory.
“Actually, I don’t remember a whole lot about the game. Didn’t I make a good pass to (Paul) Stastny to set up a goal? (He did). I remember that, I guess. I think I was more nervous for my first preseason game than that one.”
Adrian Dater: 303-954-1360 or adater@denverpost.com
