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Colorado Avalanche: Why I Am Thankful For The Avs

By Hilary Keane

WINNIPEG, MB - NOVEMBER 9: Tyson Barrie #4, Ian Cole #28, Tyson Jost #17, Alexander Kerfoot #13 and Colin Wilson #22 of the Colorado Avalanche celebrates a third period goal against the Winnipeg Jets at the Bell MTS Place on November 9, 2018 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images)
WINNIPEG, MB - NOVEMBER 9: Tyson Barrie #4, Ian Cole #28, Tyson Jost #17, Alexander Kerfoot #13 and Colin Wilson #22 of the Colorado Avalanche celebrates a third period goal against the Winnipeg Jets at the Bell MTS Place on November 9, 2018 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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The Colorado Avalanche have given fans plenty of things to be thankful for. Here are some of mine.

We might not celebrate Thanksgiving here in the UK, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t leap at the opportunity to talk about some of the things the Colorado Avalanche have made me thankful for.

1. The Avalanche Family

Confession: I started my time following the NHL as a fan of the Pittsburgh Penguins. All the friends who got me into hockey were Pens fans so that’s the team I had the most exposure to when I was finding my way around hockey and the NHL.

It wasn’t a bad experience overall, but the team has a massive following and it’s very easy to feel like a small drop of water in a lake.

As I mentioned in my post about the Avs social media I get most of my hockey news and interactions online and while the Penguins do talk to fans, there isn’t that relationship like there is with the Avs.

The fact that Colorado Avalanche fans describe themselves as a family really does represent what being an Avs fan feels like. There’s such a community spirit within this group and I was immediately embraced and welcomed when I started following the team.

I’ve made so many wonderful friends since I became an Avs fan and they couldn’t be more kind and generous with their time. I’m in the middle of planning a trip to Denver for later in the season and I’ve had so many people offer their help with finding a place to stay, sorting out tickets to the games and, really, just anything that will help my visit be the best it could be.

I’m incredibly thankful for my Avs Family and I feel lucky to have them all in my life.

2. The Altitude Crew

I don’t get to see a lot of the Altitude TV items because of where I live, but what makes it onto social media always delights me.

I’ve been a fan of Lauren Gardner, in particular, since Altitude ran a feature on the top ranked prospects prior to the 2017 draft. Although she was technically just presenting I found her comments to be interesting, insightful, and I wanted to hear more from her.

Also, it’s impossible not to love someone who wears pizza shoes

I’ve always been a more visual person so I never got into following sports on the radio. It’s impossible not to love Marc Moser, though, especially after his now famous Guts All Over The Place call.

Lauren and Marc have a great on air relationship which shines through on the Avalanche podcast. The podcast itself is the perfect blend of insightful hockey commentary, amusing anecdotes and banter between the two presenters. Listening to it is one of the highlights of my week.

Kyle Keefe is a lot of fun and was really nice when I met him while the team was in Sweden. He went around and shook everyone’s hands, posed for photos with those who asked.

Conor McGahey has settled in nicely as the new Avalanche radio guy now that Marc Moser has moved over to TV. He’s got that same community involvement that the rest of the broadcast team does and will happily chat to fans on social media.

I’m thankful we have a great set of personalities bringing the Colorado Avalanche to peoples TVs and radios.

3. The Social Media Team

Given that I spend most of my time on this site talking about the Avs social media it’s probably not a big surprise that they’re on my thankful list.

It’s little things like I always wish the team good luck before I go to bed on game nights and I almost always get a little response like this.

I’m thankful the Avs have a social media team that engages with their fans in such a kind and engaging way. I would not be as much of an fan without them.

4. Gabriel Landeskog

Gabriel Landeskog doesn’t always get the credit he deserves for being a good captain. He displays leadership on and off the ice. It’s no surprise to me that the top line really clicked when he became a regular part of it.

And on a personal note I received my first off the ice puck from Gabe when I was watching Sweden play in Worlds in 2017.

I am thankful we have him as our captain.

5. The Best Friends

Tyson Barrie became my favorite player long before I’d ever actually watched a game. He’s just got such a great personality which really shines through on the team social media. His friendship with Nathan MacKinnon is something that gets featured a lot and it just warms my heart.

I am thankful we have them.

6. #WilsonWednesday

I’ll admit Colin Wilson slipped under my radar until relatively recently but he’s one of my favorites now. He just seems to exude this calm, almost zen aura when he’s off the ice

And when he’s on it he can do some pretty great things.

I’m thankful we get a little dose of Colin Wilson every week with the #WilsonWednesday hashtag.

Those are just a few of the Colorado Avalanche related things I am thankful for on this Thanksgiving. I hope those of you who celebrate have a great holiday and, if you feel so inclined, let the Avs know that you’re thankful for them.

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