Mile High Sticking
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Colorado Avalanche: Thank You for What you Bring

By Crystal Noll

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - OCTOBER 18: Gabriel Landeskog #92 of the Colorado Avalanche celebrates his hat trick goal at 16:38 of the third period against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on October 18, 2018 in Newark, New Jersey. The Avalanche defeated the Devils 5-3. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - OCTOBER 18: Gabriel Landeskog #92 of the Colorado Avalanche celebrates his hat trick goal at 16:38 of the third period against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on October 18, 2018 in Newark, New Jersey. The Avalanche defeated the Devils 5-3. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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During this holiday season it is best to remember all of the things that we are thankful for- Colorado Avalanche edition.

I know that I write posts about how the Colorado Avalanche players are treated both on and off the ice, I have been known to coach from my couch or writing desk, and complain about GM decisions. But know that I love this team more than a lot of the people realize, maybe even more than some people that can actually attend more than a couple games a year.

It all started in 1998, not in the town of Denver but in Macon, Georgia. And not with any affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche but with a CHL team called the Macon Whoopee.

We were making our own playoff run at the time, trying to keep an ice sport alive in a place more known for it sweltering summers and one day of winter. A place that ice was more likely found in sweet tea than on the ground. And as the end of the season was getting closer and we needed a clutch player, our coach called a friend out of retirement, a friend named Stephane Roy.

He played 7 games with the Whoopee (2 G, 6 A, 8 P, 18 PIM), hit a few of the booster events, and met a 17 year old girl that was falling in love with the sport of hockey.

Stephane was one of the nicest players I have ever had the privilege to meet (even to this day) and never dismissed any of the fans, even after hard losses. And of course he came from a hockey family. “You could keep up with his brother if you want. He’s in the NHL,” I remember someone saying to me.

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And that is how I realized that the Colorado Avalanche existed. I admit I’m probably partially to blame (with so many other Georgians) for the Atlanta Thrashers folding. I was more interested in what was happening halfway across the country in a city I’d never been to than one two hours up I-75. And let’s be honest, the yeti was a cooler mascot.

Over the years, I’ve watched games, legally (and sometimes streamed) on the internet, I’ve kept up with fan sites hosted on Geocities with stats and rumors, did player searches on DogPile, and even stayed up well into the morning to watch games when I lived overseas. I’ve traveled to Sweden and Tennessee, North Carolina and Florida. Like all of you, THIS is my team.

Fast forward to 2018.

Here I am going on 2 decades later, still an Avs fan. I’m contributing to a site where I can talk about the Colorado Avalanche about to tell you all the things I am thankful for. And that is the first one. I am thankful for all the other fans who love this team like I do. For the ones I’ve made on the internet and the ones I’ve met in person, including you, dear reader.

I’m thankful for the Avalanche media both in-house and Altitude for bridging the gap between what’s going on with the team and where I am. For reaching out and sharing both the games and the team-life.

I’m thankful for You Can Play, especially the members of the team that support the LGBT community since I am one of them. And Hockey Fights Cancer, because that horrible disease has touched all of us.

For Mikko Rantanen’s growth spurt because he’s doing all the things I’ve been telling people to keep an eye on for the last couple years. And that he’s less of a giraffe this season trying to figure out his legs (the recent diving accusation aside).

I’m thankful for December, as it means the horrible mustaches will go away (especially Ryker’s fu manchu. Though Barbario can keep the ‘80s Buddy Cop look, it amuses me) and people will talk once again about the cause that they are growing them for and not just the comparative photos.

I’m thankful for Wes McCauley because he makes me laugh (when do we get him again?).

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And game day suits, because ZZ Top is onto something, this “girl’s crazy ’bout a sharp dressed man.”

I’m thankful that Erik Johnson doesn’t wear the teeth very often because they kinda weird me out.

For the offside call replay because one of these days we are going to win one of those challenges and I want proof when it happens.

I’m thankful for the team that didn’t give up when the entire NHL was against them.

And for goalies. I love me some goalies.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

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