What a year.
2022 was quite the year, to say the least, for the Colorado Avalanche. From beginning to end, the 12 months were jam-packed, and filled with triumph, celebrations, solidarity, adventure, and passion all that united the Avalanche organization with its special fan base and local Colorado community.
Before we look ahead to 2023 and embrace the fresh script of a brand-new year, reflect back on some of the top moments that made 2022 so impactful and special.
Jan. 4, 2022 – Cale Makar‘s Goal of the Year
While there was no shortage of highlight worthy goals – as the Avalanche totaled 308 in the regular season, ranked the fourth most in the entirety of the league – Cale Makar kicked off 2022 with a bang as he made an incredible individual effort to light the lamp against the Chicago Blackhawks.
May 27, 2022 – Darren Helm Scores with 5.6 Seconds Remaining to Send Avalanche to WCF
Advancing past the Second Round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs had become a bit of a hurdle for the Avalanche prior to the 2022 postseason as the team had suffered three-straight Second-Round exits and had not reached the Western Conference Final since their 2001-02 run.
But that all changed on May 27, 2022 in Game 6 against the St. Louis Blues as Logan O’Connor sent a cross-ice pass that richotted off the boards and into the left faceoff circle. Helm skated into space, and ripped a one-timer slap shot on net and past Blues netminder Ville Husso to send Colorado to the Western Conference Final.
Video: COL@STL, Gm6: Helm ends it with 5.6 seconds to go
June 6, 2022 – Artturi Lehkonen Sends Avalanche to Stanley Cup Final with OT Goal in WCF
Colorado’s storybook Stanley Cup run continued in the 2022 Western Conference Final against the Edmonton Oilers. As the battle of explosive offenses took place in the hard-fought series, the Avalanche had pushed the Oilers on the brink of elimination as they held a 3-0 series lead.
The game was one for the books as Colorado and Edmonton combined for six goals in a wild back-and-forth third period.
And after Edmonton tied the game up 5-5 late in regulation, the series was decided in overtime.
Makar fired a shot from the point on net after receiving the puck from a Colorado offensive zone faceoff win. Oilers goaltender Mike Smith made the initial stop, but the puck dropped right in front of the crease and Lehkonen swooped in, sidestepped, and popped his shot over the sprawled out netminder to seal the series victory and secure Colorado’s spot in the 2022 Stanley Cup Final.
Video: COL@EDM, Gm4: Lehkonen sends Avalanche to cup final
June 21, 2022 – Cale Makar Wins the James Norris Memorial Trophy
In the midst of the 2022 Stanley Cup Final, the NHL held its annual awards in Tampa Bay, Florida.
Makar was the recipient of the 2022 James Norris Memorial Trophy – becoming the first player in franchise history – awarded “to the defense player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-around ability at his position.” The winner was chosen by the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association in a poll at the end of the regular-season schedule.
The – then 23-year-old, now 24-year-old – had led all NHL defensemen in goals (28) and finished second in points (86) in the regular season, setting single season franchise records for a defenseman in both categories.
Video: Cale Makar wins Norris Trophy for best defenseman
June 26, 2022 – The Avalanche are Crowned Stanley Cup Champions
The Avalanche claimed its third Stanley Cup Final in franchise history after dethroning the two-time defending champions in the Tampa Bay Lightning in six games.
The championship victory was decided with a stingy Game 6 held in Tampa Bay and resulted in a 2-1 final score.
June 26, 2022 will be a day that members of the Colorado Avalanche, Avs Faithful and the local community never forget.
June 30, 2022 – Avalanche Host Stanley Cup Parade
As part of tradition of winning the Stanley Cup, the Avalanche hosted their own celebratory parade on June 30, 2022 as they showcased the coveted silver trophy throughout downtown Denver and via firetrucks as over half a million people packed the streets to catch a glimpse of the champions and their prize.
Video: Watch the best of the Avalanche’s Stanley Cup Parade
Summer of Stanley
Another staple of winning the Stanley Cup is having each designated player and staff member receive their own individual day with the trophy where they can decide exactly how they’d like to spend it and share it with family and friends.
The Stanley Cup logged its miles during the abbreviated offseason as it traveled everywhere from California and British Columbia to Halifax and Newfoundland, over to Sweden, Finland, Germany and the Czech Republic and even more stops on its eventful tour.
September 20, 2022 – Nathan MacKinnon Signs Eight-Year Contract Extension
Ahead of Colorado’s 2022-23 training camp, Nathan MacKinnon inked an eight-year contract extension that will keep him with the club through the 2030-31 season.
Oct. 10, 2022 – Stanley Cup Ring Ceremony
Following a summer of celebrations, the Avalanche wrapped up their festivities as they received their sparkling and customized Stanley Cup Rings on Oct. 10, 2022 which are embedded with 669 diamonds, 42 rubies – six of which make up the “A” in the Avalanche logo and are a nod to the number of games that Colorado defeated Tampa Bay in the Stanley Cup Final – and 20 sapphires.
Oct. 12, 2022 – 2022-23 Opening Night and Stanley Cup Banner Raising
The Avalanche capped their final celebration of their Stanley Cup victory by raiding their banner in Ball Arena on Oct. 12 ahead of their Opening Night for the 2022-23 season – and their official title-defense campaign – against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Video: The Avalanche raise Cup banner before tonight’s game
Nov. 2-6, 2022 – NHL Global Series Finland
Colorado traveled to Finland for a two-game Global Series matchup against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Nov. 4 and 5 in Tampere. The trip marked a homecoming for Finnish forwards Artturi Lehkonen (Piikkio) and Mikko Rantanen (Nousiainen), goaltending coach Juusi Parkilla (Tampere), and Colorado Eagles goaltender Justus Annunen (Kempele).
The Avalanche swept the Global Series as they defeated the Blue Jackets 6-3 and 5-1 at Nokia Arena.
Nov. 10, 2022 – Remember Peter “Maxy” McNab
In what was a year filled with triumph, jubilation, and thrill, was also a year in which the world and the Avalanche organization suffered the passing and immeasurable loss of the generous, gifted and genuine beloved Peter McNab as he passed away at the age of 70 on Nov. 6.
While there is no way to articulate the everlasting and widespread impact that McNab imprinted upon the world during his time here, the outpour of love, condolences and celebration of what an amazing person he was made it evident how much he touched those who were fortunate enough to get to know him from his impressive 14-year career NHL career or watch him on the Altitude TV broadcasts as the team’s broadcast analyst since 1995.
Video: NSH@COL: McNab remembered and honored by Avalanche
Nov. 21, 2022 – Cale Makar Becomes Fastest Defenseman in NHL History to Reach 200-Career Points
In what was already an incredible year for Makar, who won the Norris Trophy, the Conn Smythe (MVP of the Stanley Cup Playoffs) and the Stanley Cup all in the same calendar year, the 24-year-old sensational blueliner continued to etch his name in the record books as he became the fastest defenseman in the history of the NHL to reach 200-career points in only 195 after scoring a goal against Dallas on Nov. 21, 2022.
In doing so, Makar passed some hefty and impressive company in Sergeo Zubov (207), Brian Leetch (211), Phil Housley (212), Denis Potvin (212), Mark Howe (216) and Bobby Orr (216).
Nov. 26, 2022 – Debut of Colorado’s 2022-23 Reverse Retro
The Avalanche debuted their 2022-23 Reverse Retro jerseys on Nov. 26, 2022, which pays tribute to its home state by incorporating colors of the Colorado flag while reintroducing the original jersey design donned by Avalanche greats in the 1995 inaugural season.
So far, the Avalanche are 2-0-1 in their Reverse Retro threads.
Here’s to 2023…
While the calendar year of 2022 will be hard to top given the extraordinary memories, and experiences that took place, here’s to carrying over that success, triumph, joy, passion, and appreciation into the New Year as we embark on 2023.