Hotels near the Pepsi Center in Denver, home to the Colorado Avalanche

Colorado Avalanche

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Now known as the Colorado Avalanche, Denver’s beloved hockey team originally started play in 1972 as the Quebec Nordiques of the World Hockey Association. During the seven WHA seasons, the Nordiques won the Avco Cup Championship in 1977. Two years later, they entered the NHL, along with the Edmonton Oilers, Hartford Whalers (now the Carolina Hurricanes) and the Winnipeg Jets (now the Phoenix Coyotes). When the team found on-ice success but off-ice financial turmoil during the lockout shortened 1994-95 NHL Season, team owner Marcel Aubut sold the team to a Denver group of investors. The Colorado Avalanche was born. /p>

Colorado entered their first season in Denver with a very strong lineup including longtime players such as team captain, Joe Sakic and then star forward, Peter Forsberg that lead the Avs to their first Stanley Cup victory in a sweep of the Florida Panthers. The team continued to win, but was unable to regain their championship until the 2000 – 2001 season. The Avalanche games are now a favorite pastime of thousands of Denver families providing entertainment and thrills to anyone who watches.