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Colorado Avalanche Decade in Review: 20 Memorable Moments

By Nadia Archuleta

DENVER, COLORADO - OCTOBER 30: Joonas Donskoi #72 of the Colorado Avalanche celebrates a goal against the Florida Panthers with his bench at the Pepsi Center on October 30, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. The Panthers defeated the Avalanche 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO - OCTOBER 30: Joonas Donskoi #72 of the Colorado Avalanche celebrates a goal against the Florida Panthers with his bench at the Pepsi Center on October 30, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. The Panthers defeated the Avalanche 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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ST. LOUIS, MO – FEBRUARY 22: Erik Johnson #6 of the Colorado Avalanche in action against the St. Louis Blues at the Scottrade Center on February 22, 2011 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Avalanche won 4-3. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) /

4. Memorable Moment: Erik Johnson Traded to Avs

As I said, the 2010-11 season was a big one of transition. So, as we saw our greats exiting the stage, we saw some other players coming in who would make lasting impacts on the team. Two of them I mentioned already — Duchene and O’Reilly.

Erik Johnson was another one. Late in the evening of February 18, the Colorado Avalanche traded Kevin Shattenkirk, Chris Stewart, and a second rounder for Erik Johnson, Jay McClement, and a first-rounder.

It was a shocking trade that shook the core of both teams. At 1:40 am MT, Johnson texted his reaction to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch:

"“I obviously was not expecting this. It is tough to leave St. Louis, where I made so many great friends on and off the ice and played for a first-class organization. I am thrilled to be joining the Avalanche organization that has a terrific young team that I can’t wait to be a part of.”"

In his first-ever game as an Avalanche, ironically playing against the Blues, he scored a goal:

It just so happened to be the game-winner.

That was far from Johnson’s last contribution. In fact, he’s the longest-tenured member of the Avalanche, and he’s integral to the team culture that we have today. Indeed, he was our current captain’s first mentor. He was a leader long before he wore a letter, and he’s the current captain of the blueline.

No question EJ has made his mark on the team, and it started with that late-night trade.

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