The Avalanche Alumni’s old guard showed there’s still plenty left in the tank on Sunday at Magness Arena, where Peter Forsberg, Joe Sakic and Milan Hejduk paced a 9-3 win over the University of Denver Hockey Alumni in the Back to Hockey Avalanche Alumni vs. DU Alumni Game.
It was the second annual Colorado Alumni Faceoff, an event tied to the Colorado NHL Alumni Association’s work in the community. The Avalanche group brought plenty of familiar faces beyond its headline line, with Tyson Barrie, John-Michael Liles, Andrew Cogliano, Darren Helm and Dan Hinote all in the lineup. Behind the bench, Hockey Hall of Famers Peter Stastny, Michel Goulet and Pierre Turgeon handled coaching duties.
Sakic, who did not play last year, made it clear he was eager to suit up this time around.
“This is going to be a lot of fun,” Sakic said. “Last year, I couldn’t play, and I ended up coaching and while I was watching the guys on the ice, they were having way too much fun. So, this year I made it a priority to try and get out there.”
He also talked about the appeal of reconnecting with former teammates and reliving those days together.
“Anytime you get a chance to see each other, it’s a perfect type of game to get together,” Sakic said. “Get on the ice, get in the dressing room, see the guys and spend some time for a few days. I just think about the old times, and you reminisce and it’s like you’re kids again.”
Hejduk and Cody McLeod led the scoring with two goals apiece for the Avalanche Alumni. Sakic, Helm, Steve Reinprecht, Peter Mueller and Kyle Quincey also found the net in the win.
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