Colorado Avalanche Fan Shows Optimism About the Future

A fellow fan at a Colorado Avalanche practice inspired the Fan Appreciation Month. Read on about his enthusiasm for the future.

Colorado Avalanche practices and even training camp are open and free to the public. A while back, I was at one of those when a nice man approached me to ask if I was the Mile High Sticking writer. After a bit of conversation, he suggested I do posts about fans.

I thought it was a great idea. So, Last Place Rob, is actually the inspiration for this Fan Appreciation Month of August.

Despite going by Last Place Rob, he’s actually an optimistic sort. Let’s see what Rob has to say about the Colorado Avalanche.

What made you get into the Colorado Avalanche?

I was in the military and stationed at Fitzimons when the Avs moved to Denver, and jumped on the train during that first magical year where we won the first professional championship in Denver sports!  It was an awesome time time to be a Denver sports fan.

Prior to that, my hockey experience was minimal, as I had grown up in the desert of New Mexico.  I had learned to appreciate hockey from a fellow Marine. My roommate at the time, he was from Nova Scotia, during the Pittsburgh championships in the early 90s.

When I moved back to Denver for good in 1999, I got on the season ticket list, and had them through 2003.  I dropped to smaller packs, but two seasons ago, went back to full seasons.  And yes, during Avs off nights, I will still watch a hockey game, even if it’s Florida vs Vancouver, or whoever happens to be the dregs of the league…

Related Story: Avs Fan Explores Meaning of Fandom

What do you love most about the team currently?

I hate to say I see things through burgundy and blue colored glasses, but I think I like the youth.  I know it’s early in the “rebuilding” but you can see the future. As much as we are going to not be very good, the future looks bright.

I also love going to games with my daughter, though she may not be too happy in the near future, as Duchene is her favorite player.  But she knows and understands hockey is a business, and we cheer for the sweater, not the names.

What would you change about the Colorado Avalanche?

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Obviously, a big stay at home defenseman.  (It pains me that we traded away Boychuk for Matt Hendricks!)

I think there has been quite a bit of turnover both on the ice and behind the bench. I was unsure about Jared Bednar last year.  Look at what McLellan did in Edmonton in just one season! But I am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt this year.  He’s a proven coach in the minors, and I’m sure last season was as frustrating for him as it was for us fans!  So let’s see how the changes are on the ice.

If you could have a conversation with one of the players, what would you like to tell him? 

The city of Denver has many hardcore hockey fans.  Yes, we have a few people that jump on the bandwagon when the W’s start coming, but there are many of us who have attended a lot of games over the past few seasons and cheered on the Avs.  Know that we are there, and will always be there.  (And we HATE being outnumbered by Chicago and Wild fans at the games, too!)

Class act. Signed autographs for everyone who asked. Best of luck 55! pic.twitter.com/lXtVZ04RZg

Why should Avs fans attend Colorado Avalanche games this season? 

To see the future.  Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews didn’t make the playoffs in their first season, and neither did Sidney Crosby.  The youth will have to gel, and it will be good to see these guys grow, hopefully into contenders.

It looks like Joe GM Sakic is putting together a team not unlike the ones he played on just before they left Quebec.  They didn’t qualify for the playoffs in 6 of their last 8 seasons, but the youth was coming together.  Sure, I know the situations were different, and we owe a lot to Lindros, but it certainly will not be worse than last year!

Of course, I could also answer, See Nadia’s recent columns on “the top 10 reasons to attend games”!

Next: 10 Reasons to Attend Avs Games: New Faces

Thanks for the vote up, Last Place Rob!

Well, Avs Nation, tomorrow it’s finally September. Let’s share Rob’s enthusiasm for the future of the Colorado Avalanche.