On Sunday night, the Colorado Avalanche alumni took on the University of Denver alumni at Magness Arena. It was the second annual alumni game between the two teams. Some familiar names like Joe Sakic, Mark Rycroft, Peter Forsberg, Milan Hejduk, and Paul Stastny highlighted the rosters. It was all meant to be a chill game, but the intensity boiled up late in the game. Last year the exhibition contest went to a shootout, and the Pios won 8–7.

The Game

After last year’s shootout loss, the Avs alumni came out strong from the start. Colorado racked up the goals early to walk into the intermission up by three goals. We saw goals from Cody McLeod, Darren Helm and Sakic. Retired goaltender Ryan Miller was the starter for the Avs and eventually gave up all three goals.

DU crawled back in the second period, putting a little more pressure on the Avs. They scored back-to-back goals, led by Tyler Bozak, to narrow the Avs’ lead briefly to one goal. After an in-game trade of Mark Rycroft to the Pios from the Avs for Paul Stastny, the game continued. Milan Hejduk tallied a pair of goals, while McLeod added another. Steven Reinprecht and Kyle Quincey topped off the night for the Avs to make the final 9–3. Technically, goaltender Julien Hernandez got the win for the Avs. He came in for Miller in the middle of the second and played some outstanding hockey. Hernandez was a complete brick wall in the crease and did not allow a single goal against DU.

News before the game

Before going to the locker room to dress and get on the ice, Joe Sakic met with the press. It was the first time he had formally spoken to them since the end of the season. Cale Makar was, of course, a big topic. Sakic mentioned he has no worries about the contract getting done with the defenseman. He is not even concerned about the September 16th target date (new CBA), just that it will get done. Sakic was also not concerned with head coach Jared Bednar and his contract. Bednar’s contract is due to end after the season.


Nights like Sunday are fun for the older fans so they can share their memories of the players with the younger fans. If the Avs keep doing this, this will be the unofficial start of hockey season in Colorado and something to look forward to for many years to come.