Flesh and blood and vulcanized rubber — A Colorado Avalanche family legacy (Part One of Four)
Flesh and blood and vulcanized rubber — A Colorado Avalanche family legacy (Part Two of Four)
Flesh and blood and vulcanized rubber — A Colorado Avalanche family legacy (Part Three of Four)
Flesh and blood and vulcanized rubber — A Colorado Avalanche family legacy (Part Four of Four)
Family is deeply interwoven in the history of professional hockey. The Sutter Brothers (all six of them) and their myriad of hockey-playing offspring, the Howes, the Gretzkys (technically), the Hulls, the Espositos, the Richards, the Staals, the Tkachuks — the list of relatives to all play hockey professionally is long.
Dating back to the origins of the Québec Nordiques in the WHA (which, for the purposes of this article, will be included in this list), there are plenty of bloodlines that reach through the minor leagues, up to the NHL, and across the span of a half-century; based on extensive research, there are 61 total families and 131 total individuals within them who have been at least peripherally connected to the Québec Nordiques/Colorado Avalanche and the franchise's various affiliate teams. This quartet of articles, presented alphabetically by last name, attempts to serve as a hopefully-complete compendium of the families that have represented the Avs franchise since 1972. Each player is given a brief summary of their connection to the team; the focus of each player's bio is to identify their connection and to provide a baseline summary of their career, as a whole.
Five quick notes before beginning:
1. Finding familial data is not as straightforward as one might think. There may be people missing from this list, but, with the information available — and hundreds of hours of research amassed — it should be largely accurate and complete.
2. After introducing each player's full name, their first name will be used subsequently to refer to them as a way to avoid confusion with other, mentioned relatives throughout the article.
3. The majority of the names on this list are players who did play for an Avalanche/Nordiques affiliate but never made an appearance for the Avs franchise at the NHL level; they will still be included because of their ties to the Avs, but this fifth article is comprised solely of the names, relationships, and Avs-connections of said players. There is simply too little data and information on these players, but they do have a connection to the franchise, so they deserve to be mentioned.
4. While some names on this list are players who did play for an Avalanche/Nordiques affiliate but were signed only to AHL deals, they will still be included because of their ties to the Avs. Additionally, there are instances where an affiliate team has multiple NHL parent teams, and a player may have been under contract with a different franchise. They, too, will still appear on this list because they did still dress for a team affiliated with the franchise.
5. Some of the entries will be redundant and/or similar, as each one is only meant to be a minimalistic presentation of each player's family and franchise ties.
Travis Barron and Cole Cassels
Relation: Cousins
Travis was drafted by the Colorado Avalanche in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. He was selected in the seventh round, 191st overall. He spent time with the San Antonio Rampage, the Colorado Eagles, and the Utah Grizzlies from 2017-18 through 2020-21.
Cole spent part of the 2019-20 season with the Utah Grizzlies, during which time he played alongside his cousin, Travis.
Other, notable family members in hockey: Andrew Cassels, Birk Cassels, Cruz Cassels, Larry Barron
Dennis Bonvie and Rob Melanson
Relation: Cousins
Dennis had a late-career layover with both the Avs (one game in 2003-04) and the Hershey Bears (106 games across the 2003-04 and 2004-05 seasons). In that time, he registered 27 points and a staggering 511 PIMs.
Rob played 10 games with the Cornwall Aces during their third and last season as the Avs/Nordiques' AHL affiliate. The following season, stateside Hershey became the Avs' new farm team, but Rob had already moved on by then.
Other, notable family members in hockey: Herb Bonvie, Cody Melanson, Dean Melanson, Stan Melanson
Troy Bourke and Paxton Schulte
Relation: Distant
Troy was selected by the Avs, 72nd overall, in the third round of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. He spent parts of four seasons — 2013-14 through 2016-17 — with various Avs' affiliate teams (the Lake Erie Monsters, the San Antonio Rampage, and the Fort Wayne Komets).
Paxton was drafted by the Nordiques in the 1992 NHL Entry Draft, slelected 124th overall. In the 1993-94 season, he played one game with the Nordiques before spending the remainder of his time with the franchise (which culminated halfway through the 1995-96 season) with the Cornwall Aces.
Other, notable family members in hockey: Brad Bourke, Karla Bourke, Xander Schulte
Drew Callander and Jock Callander
Relation: Brothers
Drew's final season as a pro, which came after a four-year hiatus abroad (playing in Germany), featured an 80-game, 86-point campaign with the Muskegon Lumberjacks. From 1985-1987, the Lumberjacks were the secondary affiliate of the Nordiques.
Jock spent both of the aforementioned seasons in Muskegon, meaning two things: 1) He spent a full season playing alongside his brother, and 2) he was also a player in the affiliate system for the Nordiques.
Other, notable family members in hockey: Pierson Callander, Preston Callander
Darren Clark and Trent Clark
Relation: Brothers
Darren, whose first four years in the Centennial State (while enrolled at Colorado College) ran parallel to the Avs' first season post-Québec: 1995-96 to 1998-99. As a pro, Darren spent the last two years of his pro career with the ECHL's San Diego Gulls. During that last season, 2005-06, the Gulls were the secondary affiliate for the Avs.
Trent, who spent four years of his own at Colorado College (1998-99 to 2001-02) played one year with his brother Darren in college and played alongside him once more, as a Gull, during the 2005-06 season. It wound up as the last pro season for both brothers.
Other, notable family members in hockey: N/A
Gary Dillon and Wayne Dillon
Relation: Brothers
Much like the Callanders and the Clarks, Gary and his brother, Dillon both played together during their time with an affiliate of the Nordiques/Avs. Gary's first Denver adventure came with the now-defunct Colorado Rockies in the 1980-81 season. The following year, he dressed in 45 games for the Nordiques' affiliate, the Fredericton Express.
After 212 WHA games with the Toronto Toros/Birmingham Bulls, 229 NHL games, mostly with the New York Rangers (216 games), and one season in the Swiss league, Gary came back to North America to join his brother Dillon for Fredericton Express' 1981-82 season.
Other, notable family members in hockey: N/A
Gilles Hamel and Jean Hamel
Relation: Brothers
Gilles and his brother were born in the thankfully-since-renamed Asbestos, Québec (it is, as of 2020, now known as Val-des-Sources, which translates to "Valley of the Springs"). His connection to the Nordiques/Avs is tangential: after his junior career was over and he was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres — and before he made his NHL debut — he played 14 games in the 1980-81 season with the Rochester Americans, who split their affiliation between the Sabres and the Nordiques.
Jean, who was born eight years before Gilles, played nearly 200 more games than his younger brother. The bulk of his career came as a member of the Detroit Red Wings, but he spent his final three NHL seasons in the Province of Québec — two seasons with the Nordiques, and one season with the Montréal Canadiens.
Other, notable family members in hockey: N/A
John Harrington and Marty Sertich
Relation: Uncle (John) and nephew (Marty)
John played in college and in various minor and European leagues, but the most notable parts of his hockey career — and his connection to the Avs franchise — came after his playing days ended. His first stop in Colorado came as the assistant coach of the University of Denver (from 1984 through 1990), and his next came with the Avs, with whom he worked as an amateur scout from 2011 to 2015.
Marty, much like his uncle, was first introduced to Colorado hockey at the college level. Marty was enrolled at Colorado College from the 2002-03 season until the 2005-06 season. In his penultimate and final seasons, he was an alternate captain and captain, respectively. In terms of his connection to the Avs, he played for their AHL affiliate, the Lake Erie Monsters, in both 2009-09 and 2009-10.
Other, notable family members in hockey: Tony Frasca, Chris Harington, Peter Harington, Mike Sertich, Steve Sertich
Dale Hoganson and Paul Hoganson
Relation: Cousins
Dale departed the NHL after a few seasons to play in the WHA for the Nordiques. He wound up right back in the NHL, however, after the NHL/WHA Merger brought the Nordiques into the NHL fold. In total, he spent seven seasons — the bulk of his career — in the powder blue and the fleur-de-lis.
Fascinatingly, Paul played for five teams who became affiliates for the Nordiques/Avs but were not yet affiliated with the franchise: the Fort Wayne Komets (franchise affiliate 1988-90), Hershey Bears (f/a 1980-81; 1996-2005) Greensboro Generals (f/a 1974-75), Tulsa Oilers (f/a 2010-11), and Binghamton/Broome Dusters (f/a 1788-89). That's a neat bit of useless trivia, but, by definition, that doesn't qualify him for this list, no? Fear not: he also played for the Hampton Gulls in 1977-78 — who were the AHL affiliate of the WHA Nordiques.
Other, notable family members in hockey: N/A
Wes Jarvis and Doug Orr
Relation: Father-in-law (Wes) and son-in-law (Doug)
Before the Hershey Bears were the AHL affiliate of the Avs, they had one season, 1980-81, in which they shared affiliation with both the Washington Capitals (another future affiliate) and the Québec Nordiques. Wes played for them, as a Caps prospect, during that season.
Doug only played 33 games as a pro; five of those games were with the 2006-07 Arizona Sundogs of the now-defunct CHL (whose remaining teams were folded into the ECHL) who were a secondary affiliate for the Avs for that one season.
Other, notable family members in hockey: Corey Elkins, Alex Foster, Dwight Foster, Peter Foster, Darcie Jarvis, Doug Jarvis, Leslie Jarvis, Terrie Jarvis, Adam Lane, Shane McCarthy
Ray Kaunisto and Steven Kaunisto
Relation: Cousins
Ray was loaned to the Lake Erie Monsters for three games as part of his third pitstop during the 2013-14 season. He also played for the Colorado Eagles the prior season, but they were not yet affiliated with the Avs.
For the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons, the Avs' secondary affiliate was the closest to the big club of any of its various affiliates throughout the years: the Denver Cutthroats. They played at the Denver Coliseum, just over four miles away from Ball Arena. In the last of the team's two seasons, Steven played defense for the team.
Other, notable family members in hockey: Jeremy Kaunisto, Kory Kaunisto, Ron Kaunisto, Joe Shawhan
Chris Lappin and Joe Sacco
Relation: Cousins-in-law
Chris, who was selected by the Nordiques 207th overall in the 1986 NHL Entry Draft, spent 52 games with the Greensboro Monarchs, then-secondarily-affiliated with the Nordiques. The St. Charles, IL native retired after an additional year of college hockey the following season.
Joe had a lengthy playing career in the NHL, spent with five different NHL clubs. In his post-playing days, he served as the bench boss for both the Lake Erie Monsters (2007-08 & 2008-09) and the Colorado Avalanche (2009-10 through 2012-13. He is now an assistant coach for the New York Rangers.
Other, notable family members in hockey: David Lappin, Joseph Lappin, Michael Lappin, Nick Lappin, Peter Lappin, Tim Lappin, Tim Lappin Jr., Dave Sacco, Joe Sacco Jr.
Bryan Lerg and Jeff Lerg
Relation: Cousins
Bryan spent the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons with the Lake Erie Monsters. In that initial season, he was one of the team's alternate captains, and in the final season, he served as team captain. He recorded 27 points in 35 games in that final season, but he finished a career-worst minus-22.
Elite Prospects indicates that Jeff was loaned to the Lake Erie Monsters during the 2014-15 season, but he did not appear in any contests for the Avalanche's affiliate team at that time. The AHL website confirms that he was on the roster; he was one of eight goalies who were in the system in just that single season.
Other, notable family members in hockey: Dan Lerg, Ken Lerg, Patrick Lerg
Jozef Lukac and Vincent Lukac
Relation: Brothers
Both Jozef and Vincent Lukac were drafted by the Nordiques in the 1982 NHL Entry Draft. Vincent was taken first, 202nd overall, in the 10th round; Jozef, the younger brother, was taken two rounds later with the 244th overall pick. The Lukac brothers were similar to the Stastny brothers in that both sets played in the Czechoslovakian pro league for much of the 1970s and gained the attention of the Québec front office because of their strong play. Unlike the Šťastnýs, however, the Lukacs never defected from their home — Kosice, Slovakia — and never came to North America.
Other, notable family members in hockey: Imrich Lukac
Brian MacDonald and Mason MacDonald
Relation: Father (Brian) and son (Mason)
Brian never played for the Avs franchise, but he was a scout for the Nordiques/Avs from the 1993-94 season until the end of the 1999-00 season. The following season, which ended with the team winning its second Stanley Cup, Brian served as the team's assistant GM.
Mason, who was drafted 34th overall by the Calgary Flames in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, suited up for 17 games with the Utah Grizzlies during the 2019-20 season. He played an additional year after that and then retired.
Other, notable family members in hockey: N/A
Jake Newton and Josh Newton
Relation: Brothers
Jake was a Lake Erie Monster for 31 games for the 2011-12 season. In that time, the stocky defenseman put up a single goal and a pair of assists.
According to Elite Prospects, Josh only played three games at any level of competition, and these all came with the 2005-06 San Diego Gulls. That happened to be the one season in which the Gulls were the secondary affiliate of the Avs.
Other, notable family members in hockey: N/A
Gordon Paddock and John Paddock
Relation: Brothers
One of Gordon's three stops in the 1985-86 season was in Muskegon, where he played 47 games as a member of the Lumberjacks. That season was the first of just two seasons where the Lumberjacks were affiliated (secondarily) with the Nords.
John is one of a few names included in this fifth installment of this familial tree to actually play for the Nordiques/Avalanche. He spent 32 games with the Nords in 1980-81; he recorded two goals and five assists in that time.
Other, notable family members in hockey: Vaughn Karpan, Max Paddock
Alex Penner and Andrew Penner
Relation: Brothers
Alex appeared in eight contests with the 2008-09 Lake Erie Monsters. He recorded no points in that stretch, but he did accrue 22 PIMs — an apt, microcosmic portrait of his role as a pro hockey player.
While Andrew did play in parts of four seasons (2008-09 to 2011-12) with the Colorado Eagles, they were not yet affiliated with the Avs; his connection to the franchise comes as a result of being invited to the team's 2007 training camp on an amateur tryout.
Other, notable family members in hockey: N/A
Gilles Quintal and Pierre Quintal
Relation: Twin brothers
Gilles and Pierre are identical twins, and their hockey careers were fittingly identical, too. Here are the teams, the leagues, and the years in which the defensemen twins played together: the Laval National (QMJHL '72-73), Chicoutimi Saguenéens (QMJHL '73-74 & '74-75), Milwaukee Admirals (USHL '75-76), Beauce Jaros (NAHL '76-77), and Maine Nordiques (NAHL '76-77). In their time with the Maine Nordiques, the team was the primary affiliate for WHA Québec.
Other, notable family members in hockey: Kenzo Quintal, Stéphane Quintal
Andrew Rymsha and Steve Rymsha
Relation: Brothers
Andrew's connection to the franchise is a direct one; he appeared in six games with Québec in the 1991-92 season. Those six games were the only six in which he played in the NHL.
Steve, who is 11 years younger than his brother Andrew, appeared in a pair of games with the 2002-03 Hershey Bears. The bulk of his professional career was played overseas.
Other, notable family members in hockey: Drake Rymsha, River Rymsha
Neil Shea Jr. and Neil Shea Sr.
Relation: Father and son
Neil Jr. is the only player on this list who is actively playing in the Avs' system. The 26-year-old winger has played for both the Colorado Eagles and the Utah Grizzlies in the last two seasons.
Neil Sr. never played at a level higher than collegiate, but soon after he graduated from Boston College, he became an NHL scout. He got his start with the Pittsburgh Penguins, and this season marks his 20th as a scout for the Avs.
Other, notable family members in hockey: Brandon Shea, Patrick Shea
Al Sims and Tyler Sims
Relation: Father (Al) and son (Tyler)
After a lengthy NHL career and a few years overseas, Al came back to North America for one last season; he played 61 games with the Fort Wayne Komets in 1988-89. At the time, the Komets were the Nordiques' primary affiliate.
Tyler, who also ended his career with an iteration of the Fort Wayne Komets, is connected to the Avs through his time with the 2010-11 Tulsa Oilers, who were secondarily affiliated, for just that one season, with Colorado.
Other, notable family members in hockey: Jordan Sims
Louis Sleigher and Pierre-Luc Sleigher
Relation: Uncle (Louis) and nephew (Pierre-Luc)
Louis, a native of Nouvelle, Québec, spent the most time of anyone in this fifth article/installment on the big club. He played for the Nordiques for 111 games, beginning in 1979-80 and ending with a mid-season trade to Boston during the 1984-85 season.
Pierre-Luc spent eight seasons in North America (in the QMJHL and ECHL), then seven seasons abroad with various different leagues and teams, and five additional seasons back in North America, all of which were spent in the LNAH. His tie to the Avs comes in 2005-06 where he spent 72 games with the San Diego Gulls before leaving for France.
Other, notable family members in hockey: Zack Sleigher
Dennis Sobchuk and Gene Sobchuk
Relation: Brothers
In 1982-83, Dennis dressed in nine games with the Fredericton Express and two games with their parent organization, the Québec Nordiques. These are his only ties to the franchise.
Gene appeared in 37 contests with the Hampton Gulls during the 1977-78 season. This was the first iteration of the Gulls to be linked to the Avs franchise; they served as the Nords' primary affiliate for that one year.
Other, notable family members in hockey: N/A
Brent Thompson and Tage Thompson
Relation: Father (Brent) and son (Tage)
Brent spent parts of three seasons (2000-01 through 2002-03) with the Hershey Bears at the tail-end of a respectable pro career that featured 121 games in the NHL and more than 700 in the AHL. In his last season with Hershey, Brent was the team's captain.
Tage is an outright star (in fact, he was just named to team USA's 2026 Olympic roster), but his ties to the Avs franchise are peripheral and indirect. During the 2017-18 season, when the San Antonio Rampage were the shared AHL affiliate of both the Avs and the St. Louis Blues, Tage was in the Blues' pipeline. Despite never being an Avs prospect, he did play for a team that was an affiliate of them, so he qualifies for this list.
Other, notable family members in hockey: Tyce Thompson
Jeremy Thompson and Rocky Thompson
Relation: Brothers
In the 1998-99 season, Jeremey dressed in the one and only game he ever played for an affiliate of the Avs: the right winger appeared in a single contest with the Hershey Bears.
Rocky had a stint of his own with the Hershey Bears, although his was later (2001-02) and lasted longer (42 games). In that time, he registered three assists and 143 PIMs.
Other, notable family members in hockey: Cody Thompson, Taze Thompson, Tyr Thompson
Jason Ulmer and Jeff Ulmer brothers hershey
Relation: Brothers
Jason played for four different minor-league teams (spread out across three different minor leagues) in the 2000-01 season. One of his stops — which lasted exactly three games — was with the Hershey Bears. He went scoreless in that time.
Not to be outdone by his younger brother, Jeff Ulmer not only had a much longer stint with the Hershey Bears (80 games in the 2004-05 season), but he also served as the team's captain and recorded 51 points.
Other, notable family members in hockey: Quinn Hancock
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