Highlighting key Colorado Avalanche players from the past: Adam Foote

*This continues a series that will highlight certain impact players from each of the past Colorado Avalanche Stanley Cup-winning teams. This weekly series will dive into both stars and lesser-name players, and should reprise some of the glory of past champions*

Each player on a team plays an important role, especially in Championship-winning teams. Flashy statistics usually provide the average fan with the ability to determine who the “star” players are, but sometimes a deeper look is required to determine what type of impact a player has on the game or team.

A player like Adam Foote didn’t have the flashiest numbers, he didn’t have the best-looking gear, and he had a clearly-broken nose, but he epitomized what qualities it takes to win a Stanley Cup, which he did twice during his time in the Burgundy and Black.

Everybody wants a player like Adam Foote on their team. Across 967 games with the Quebec Nordiques/Colorado Avalanche franchise, Foote was a sandpaper kind of guy, willing to do whatever it took to obtain victory. He would chip in with occasional offense, but his main contribution was as a stay-at-home defenseman, blocking shots, hitting anything that moved, and handing out knuckle sandwiches when necessary. Foote personified grit, and it was invaluable for the Avalanche.

The 6’2” 225-pound defenseman was drafted 22nd overall in 1989 by the Quebec Nordiques. Foote played two more seasons in the Ontario Hockey League (junior level) before making his debut with Quebec in 1991-92, playing 46 games and totaling seven points. Foote also played six games in the AHL for Halifax that season, the only games he’d ever played in the AHL.

Foote had some trouble establishing himself as a mainstay in the lineup over the next few seasons in Quebec, but once the team moved to Colorado, Foote found his footing (no pun intended).

During their first Stanley Cup-winning season in 1995-96, Foote was a stalwart on the blueline for Colorado. He played 73 games, scored five goals, and chipped in 11 assists. Foote also provided a ton of grit, garnering 88 penalty minutes. Importantly, Foote was a plus-27 on the season, which means he was on the ice for 27 more goals scored than against. Foote continued his hard-nosed play in the playoffs, tallying four points in 22 games. He also accrued 36 penalty minutes.

Without Foote’s propensity to play in the dirty areas and his never-back-down attitude, the Avalanche would not have been as successful as they were that season.

Foote continued to be a presence for Colorado over the next several seasons. In 2001, Foote only was able to play 35 regular season games, producing 15 points during that span. He returned to his usual tough style of play during the playoffs, playing 23 games for Colorado on their way to the franchise’s second Stanley Cup championship. Foote chipped in seven points during that playoff run.

Foote would go on to play a few more seasons in Colorado until the lockout happened in 2004-05. When the NHL resumed play, Foote signed as a free agent with the Columbus Blue Jackets. He played three years there and was also the team captain.

Foote’s respect and reputation around the league helped him obtain the captaincy in Columbus.

After three years, the Colorado Avalanche traded for Foote to return, and he played parts of the next four seasons in Colorado, retiring in 2010-11.

Older school Colorado Avalanche fans surely remember #52. Foote set a tone and played a grisly game, setting a tone of toughness the team followed. He was a leader in the locker room, and along with players like Joe Sakic, helped the franchise reach new heights, and then remain there. Younger fans may not remember Foote as vividly, but I strongly suggest going to find some highlights of his game or just looking up to the rafters at Ball Arena. You’ll find his jersey up there. The NHL has evolved, but there was always a place for Adam Foote patrolling the blue line.