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The Avalanche produced a moving, star-studded pregame ceremonial Saturday to grant its archetypal wide manager, Pierre Lacroix, who died successful December astatine property 72 of a COVID-related illness.
Lacroix built the Avs’ 2 Stanley Cup-winning teams successful 1996 and 2001 aft the franchise moved to Denver from Quebec successful 1995. Five prima players from those teams were successful attendance, including existent Avs GM Joe Sakic, who was mentored by Lacroix.
“He spoke astir coming to Colorado with a dream, a vision, for hockey to basal for much than conscionable a squad (the state) could telephone its own,” Sakic said of Lacroix from a podium astatine halfway ice. “Pierre wanted the sanction and the logo to basal for thing more. He wanted the squad to basal for a committedness to excellence and correspond people and character. Because of his imaginativeness and leadership, I judge that we are much than than a squad from Colorado.
“As Pierre would accidental truthful often and proudly, ‘We are the Colorado Avalanche!'”
The 30-minute programme ended with Lacroix’s “architect” banner being raised to the rafters, joining the six retired jerseys of erstwhile players. Lacroix’s banner was brought retired of the Zamboni entranceway by 5 players whose numbers are retired: Peter Forsberg, Ray Bourque, Adam Foote, Milan Hejduk and Sakic. As the banner was raised, Pierre’s grandchildren held hockey sticks supra their heads, on with younker hockey players successful the stands.
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— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) October 17, 2021
Sakic spoke astir however overmuch helium was mentored by Lacroix — successful hockey and successful life.
“He had a bosom of gold, would bash thing for anybody,” Sakic said.
Sakic concluded: “Pierre, remainder successful peace.”
Sakic was followed by Eric Lacroix “accepting” the banner connected behalf of his father.
“As we grant his achievements, I anticipation Pierre would beryllium afloat of gratitude and humbled by this recognition,” said Eric, who played 170 games for the Avalanche from 1996-99. “Our dada wasn’t comfy receiving accolades, but I guarantee you helium would person welcomed contiguous successful a large way.”
The ceremonial was hosted by Altitude’s Kyle Keefe, and it included video stories from erstwhile sports broadcaster Ron Zappolo, and Marc Crawford, the Avs’ archetypal caput coach. The Lacroix household was represented Pierre’s window, Coco, sons Eric and Marty, and 4 grandchildren.
The Avalanche presented a coating to the household of Pierre hoisting the Stanley Cup successful 1996.
Sakic was seated with Charlotte Grahame, the Avs’ vice president of hockey administration. Pierre Lacroix hired Grahame erstwhile the Nordiques moved to Denver.
Avalanche players and unit watched the ceremonial connected tv from the dressing room. Per NHL COVID rules, they weren’t permitted connected the crystal with perchance unvaccinated people.
“I didn’t cognize him personally, but everything I heard, helium was a top-notch individual, leader, skipper of the ship, and from talking with Joe (Sakic), he’s conscionable truthful good respected astir the league, particularly successful this organization,” Avs manager Jared Bednar said aft the greeting skate. “And the banner volition spell wherever it rightfully belongs tonight. A peculiar infinitesimal for a batch of guys. I cognize a batch of guys are coming, guys that had existent adjacent relationships with him.
“Unfortunately, we’re not capable to instrumentality portion successful arsenic overmuch arsenic we would similar to arsenic a squad due to the fact that of immoderate of the (COVID) protocols but it’s going to beryllium a existent bully nighttime for a batch of radical progressive here.”
English (US) ·