After finishing last in the Western Conference in the strike-shortened 2012-13 season, the Colorado Avalanche decided it was time for a new voice on the bench. In comes Patrick Roy, who will have the opportunity to mold one of the most talented young teams in the NHL. Get in on the action with tickets from ScoreBig. A History of Success in Denver After relocating from Quebec (where they were known as the Nordiques) in 1995, the Colorado Avalanche hit the ground running. Over their first ten seasons in Denver (discounting the lockout in 2004-05), the Avalanche qualified for the post-season every year, played in the Conference Finals an astonishing six times, and, most importantly, won two Stanley Cups. Leading the way during these glory years were hockey icons like Joe Sakic, Peter Forsberg and Ray Borque, who came to the Avalanche after a Hall of Fame career with the Boston Bruins. In goal for the Avs during this stretch was the incomparable Roy. Since elected to the Hall of Fame himself, Roy was a three-time Conn Smythe Trophy winner who is one of only a handful of players to have his jersey retired by two teams (Avalanche and the Montreal Canadiens). In May of 2013, Patrick Roy was named head coach and VP of hockey operations for the Colorado Avalanche. As such, Roy and Joe Sakic, now EVP of hockey operations, are tasked with leading the organization they helped build into a new era of success. The Roy Era Begins Already loaded up with budding stars Gabriel Landeskog, Ryan O’Reilly and Matt Duchene, the Avs added Nathan MacKinnon with the #1 overall selection in the draft. If MacKinnon comes in and contributes as most pundits expect, the Avs could have two of the last three Calder Trophy winners (NHL Rookie of the Year) after Landeskog took home the hardware in 2012. The Avalanche will have to make it work without Milan Hejduk, one of the franchise’s all time leading scorers, but the youth movement is in full effect now in Denver. Check out the Avalanche at the Pepsi Center Just a stone’s throw (if you have an arm like Peyton Manning) from Mile High where the Denver Broncos play their home games, the Colorado Avalanche share the Pepsi Center with the Nuggets. In the thriving heart of downtown Denver, there are endless possibilities for your pre and post-game planning. Inside the gorgeous arena, opened in 1999, you’ll find some of the most loyal and knowledgeable hockey fans in the league. With a great, winning tradition, new leadership and a young and uber-talented team, 2013-14 is going to be something special. Get guaranteed savings on tickets from ScoreBig.