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🏒Colorado Avalanche

United States · Ball Arena, Denver

Major honours

3 (1996, 2001, 2022)Stanley Cup
3Presidents' Trophy
9 seasons (1995–2003)Consecutive division titles
1996Title in first season after relocation

Founded as the Quebec Nordiques in 1972 and joining the NHL in 1979, the franchise relocated to Denver in 1995 and won the Cup in its first Colorado season — the December trade for Patrick Roy from Montreal was decisive. Roy had told the Canadiens owner from the bench that his last game in Montreal was done after allowing nine goals; four days later he was in Denver. Captain Joe Sakic handed the 2001 Cup straight to Ray Bourque, who had waited 22 seasons — one of hockey's most replayed sportsmanship moments. Nine straight division titles ran from 1994–95 to 2002–03. Tampa Bay fell in six games in 2022 for a third title after 21 years. Nathan MacKinnon won the Hart Trophy with 140 points in 2023–24.

Record comparison

League titles
3
Most consecutive titles
1 title
Club history
53 years
Home arena capacity
18,086

Bars are scaled to the strongest team in this list.

Club legends

Joe SakicPatrick RoyPeter ForsbergRay BourqueNathan MacKinnon

Rivalry

The 1996–2002 feud with Detroit ranks among modern hockey's best grudges. On 26 March 1997 at Joe Louis Arena, a bench-clearing brawl included both goaltenders fighting at centre ice.

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