Cody McCormick won’t go down as the best player in Avalanche history. But he will be one of the better-remembered teammates to those who played with him in Colorado.
McCormick, now with the Buffalo Sabres, returned Tuesday night to play against the Avs in Denver for the first time. The night before, he had dinner with former Avs teammate and fellow ruffian Cody McLeod. McCormick was always well-liked by teammates, partly for his sense of humor and also because he stood up and fought for many of them on the ice.
“It’s nice to see Denver again. A lot of good times and memories for me here,” McCormick said.
McCormick played parts of five seasons with the Avs, from 2003-09. He played only in the American Hockey League last season, but he caught on with the Sabres and has had a good season, entering Tuesday with four goals and nine points in 37 games — with nine fighting majors.
“I think Cody’s filled his role really to a T. We needed added toughness and he’s supplied it, and we’ve gotten some offense out of him,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said.
Said McCormick: “Not much has changed with my game. Just try to play a good role on the checking line and do anything I can to help my team.”
Rookie struggles.
Avs rookie defender Kevin Shattenkirk entered the game in an offensive slump, with no points in his previous seven games. “I need to start working at it a little more and being more assertive in terms of joining the rush,” he said. “I think I’ve gotten away from that a little lately. I’ve got to be harder on guys and more aggressive, get a little more grit to my game.”
Adrian Dater, The Denver Post
