Six former Avalanche, including Sakic, Forsberg and Roy amongst NHL’s 100 greatest

In the 21 seasons since they moved from Quebec, the Colorado Avalanche have certainly left an impression on the NHL (especially in the first decade). On Friday, they saw six of their alumni honored amongst the 100 Greatest NHL Players.

Ray Bourque, Peter Forsberg, Jari Kurri, Patrick Roy, Joe Sakic and Teemu Selanne were all named to the top 100. The six won a combined 15 Stanley Cups.

Forsberg, Roy and Sakic were a part of both Avalanche Stanley Cup teams. Bourque joined the trio for the second championship, lifting the cup for the only time in his legendary career in 2001.

Only just over a year of Bourque’s 22-season career was spent with the Avalanche, but, in his final game, he was able to capture hockey’s holy grail. A five-time Norris Trophy winner, his 410 goals and 1,579 points are the most ever for a defenseman.

A rare combination of finesse and brute strength, Forsberg was one of the most dominant players in the NHL when healthy. Unfortunately, injuries took their toll on the Swedish folk hero. A former Hart Memorial, Calder and Art Ross Trophy winner, he averaged an incredible 1.25 points per game, finishing his career with 885 in just 708 contests.

Best known as Wayne Gretzky‘s wingman, Kurri spent his final season in the NHL with the Avalanche, scoring five goals and 22 points in 70 games during the 1997-1998 campaign. He won five Stanley Cups and finished his career with 601 goals and 1,398 points in 1,251 games.

Undisputedly one of the greatest goaltenders in NHL history, Roy retired as the NHL’s all-time leader in wins (he now sits second). He also captured the Stanley Cup four times, twice each with the Montreal Canadiens and the Avalanche. He also captured the Conn Smythe as playoff MVP a record three times.

The longtime captain and current general manager of the Avalanche, Sakic was best known for his blistering wrist shot and his selfless professionalism. A former Hart Memorial and Conn Smythe Trophy winner, his 1,641 career points are a franchise record, and rank ninth in NHL history.

In his storied career, Selanne only spent a forgettable 2003-2004 campaign with the Avalanche, scoring 16 goals and 32 points in 78 games. Remembered best for his time with the Anaheim Ducks, the “Finnish Flash” is considered one of the best snipers in NHL history, finishing his career with 684 goals and 1,457 points.