Cody McLeod, 500 Games
Colorado Avalanche left wing Cody McLeod has battled through 500 games for the Avalanche. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
The Colorado Avalanche gave a 22-year-old ginger a chance to play in the NHL eight years ago. That energy playing ginger, Cody McLeod, has sure made good. He’s a solid fourth line guy, to be sure. However, he also happens to be one of the Colorado Avalanche’s alternate captains.
McLeod played his first game in 2006. He scored his first goal against a legend, Dominik Hasek in a Detroit Red Wings jersey, on December 27, 2007. His 500th career game came against those self-same Red Wings.
The year 2014 was also the year McLeod earned his 1,000th penalty minute. In a contentious game against divisional opponents the Winnipeg Jets, Cody McLeod threw down with Winnipeg tough guy Anthony Peluso. He earned a 10 minute misconduct for the play. Within those 10 minutes came his 1,000th career penalty minute — in a move meant to fire his team up.
Fitting for a gladiator such as McLeod, whose games — and penalty minutes — have all come in the name of the Colorado Avalanche.