Avalanche's most controversial Stanley Cup win came at their own states expense
Photo credit: The Hockey Writers
The Colorado Avalanche's 2001 Stanley Cup Championship is often remembered as their most controversial, largely because it came at the direct expense of another team from their home state, adding an unexpected layer of tension to their triumph.
In a dramatic 2001 Stanley Cup Final, the Avalanche, Colorado's second NHL franchise, defeated the state's original Mile High team in a clash for the ages.
New details emerge concerning Avalanche's 2001 Stanley Cup victory.
Nestor Quixtan from Mile High Hockey writes that Colorado has been home to two NHL franchises over the years. One is the current-day Avalanche. The other was the Colorado Rockies; a team that eventually relocated and became the New Jersey Devils.
Although the original franchise left Denver nearly four decades ago, its roots remain firmly planted in the Centennial's State's hockey history.
"Once upon a time, the NHL expanded to include two new clubs ahead of the 1974-75 season. One club was the Washington Capitals. The Capitals are still around today in their original form. The other club was the Kansas City Scouts.
Don't worry if you've never heard about the Scouts. The only lasted for about two seasons before moving to Denver. Denver had just completed a brand-spanking new venue called McNichols Arena in 1975. So, Denver was itching to get the arena filled. In addition to the Denver Nuggets, arena ownership wanted an NHL club to fill out the venue." -Quixtan
Don't worry if you've never heard about the Scouts. The only lasted for about two seasons before moving to Denver. Denver had just completed a brand-spanking new venue called McNichols Arena in 1975. So, Denver was itching to get the arena filled. In addition to the Denver Nuggets, arena ownership wanted an NHL club to fill out the venue." -Quixtan
With hopes of bringing an NHL team to Colorado, the push for expansion was on, but the odds weren't favourable. The league scrapped its planned expansion round in 1977, making relocation the fastest and most realistic path to securing a franchise in the state.
"Two teams were on the rocks at the time: The California Golden Seals and the Scouts. Just as a short recap, the Golden Seals entered the NHL in its first wave of expansion in 1967. The Seals then became the Oakland Seals, Bay Area Seals, the Cleveland Barons, and then merged with the Minnesota North Stars, which ultimately became the Dallas Stars.
That mess left the Scouts as the only other relocation-ready team. That's when Jack Vickers stepped in, bought the Scouts, and headed to Denver. The new club was renamed the Colorado Rockies. Unfortunately, the Rockies were awful and struggled to remain in Colorado." -Quixtan
That mess left the Scouts as the only other relocation-ready team. That's when Jack Vickers stepped in, bought the Scouts, and headed to Denver. The new club was renamed the Colorado Rockies. Unfortunately, the Rockies were awful and struggled to remain in Colorado." -Quixtan
The Rockies debuted in 1976, playing out of McNichols Arena. Unfortunately, the team struggled from the start, reaching the playoffs only once during their six-year run.
The lone postseason appearance came in the 1976-77 season, when they stumbled into the playoffs with a 19-40-21 record, only to be swept in the opening round.
Ongoing struggles on the ice and mounting financial issues eventually led owner Jack Vickers to sell the team. The new ownership group the franchise to the Meadowlands Sports Complex in New Jersey, marking the beginning of a new era as the Devils ahead of the 1982-83 season.
"Parallel to that, the Quebec Nordiques moved to Colorado to become the Avalanche. The second NHL franchise in Colorado could not use the Rockies nickname as that name had been scooped up by the MLB team in 1993.
That left the second incarnation of hockey in Colorado as the Avalanche. By 2001, the Avalanche and Devils met in an epic seven-game series. The Avalanche took the Cup in a showdown of the once and current Colorado NHL franchises." -Quixtan
That left the second incarnation of hockey in Colorado as the Avalanche. By 2001, the Avalanche and Devils met in an epic seven-game series. The Avalanche took the Cup in a showdown of the once and current Colorado NHL franchises." -Quixtan
It's a curious twist of fate. Had the Rockies never folded and relocated, the New Jersey Devils wouldn't exist, and Colorado's hockey history could look very different.
Without that move, the Avalanche may never have arrived in Denver, and who knows if the city would've ever hoisted a Stanley Cup. Just look at the Washington Capitals, who had to wait until 2018 to capture their first championship.
Perhaps Colorado was better off waiting for its second chance at an NHL franchise, otherwise, we might not be having this conversation at all.
| POLL | ||
AOUT 8 | 27 ANSWERS Avalanche's most controversial Stanley Cup win came at their own states expense Do you think Colorado's NHL success was only possible because the original Rockies franchise folded and relocated? | ||
| yes | 10 | 37 % |
| no | 17 | 63 % |
| List of polls | ||
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