Top 5 Captains in Colorado Avalanche History

By Shaun Lavery

Top 5 Captains in Colorado Avalanche History

Joe Sakic Colorado Avalanche — The Colorado Avalanche are a storied NHL franchise with roots that stretch as far back as 1972, when they were the Quebec Nordiques in the WHA -- eventually joining the NHL in 1979. They’ve won two Stanley Cups, and have had many Hall of Fame players on their roster. Several great captains have worn the “C” for both the Avalanche and Nordiques; here are the five best.

5. Mario Marois (1983-85)

Mario Marois Quebec Nordiques

5. Mario Marois (1983-85)

Mario Marois Quebec Nordiques — Mario Marois played eight seasons with Quebec, over two separate stints, serving as captain for two seasons. The team combined for 83 wins in his two seasons wearing the “C,” making it to at least the second round of the playoffs each time. Marois was a veteran of 955 NHL games, totaling 433 points.

4. Milan Hejduk (2011-12)

Milan Hejduk Colorado Avalanche

4. Milan Hejduk (2011-12)

Milan Hejduk Colorado Avalanche — Only serving as captain for one season, Hejduk is the franchise leader in games played for the Avalanche with 1,020. He joined the team in the 1998-99 season, and never played for another NHL team. In his single season as captain, the team finished seven points out of a playoff spot, while personally Hejduk had 37 points. In 1,020 career games, he collected 805 points, and was the last player from the 2001 Cup-winning team to leave Colorado.

3. Marc Tardif (1976-81)

Marc Tardif Quebec Nordiques

3. Marc Tardif (1976-81)

Marc Tardif Quebec Nordiques — One of four players to have his number retired by the Nordiques, Tardif played nine seasons for Quebec, mostly in the WHA. He was captain for five seasons, leading the Nordiques to the Avco World Trophy (WHA Championship) in his first year as captain. He is the all-time scoring leader in WHA history with 666 points, and amassed 401 points in 517 NHL games.

2. Peter Stastny (1985-90)

Peter Stastny Quebec Nordiques

2. Peter Stastny (1985-90)

Peter Stastny Quebec Nordiques — Playing 10 seasons for the Nordiques, Stastny is one of the best scorers in franchise history with 1,239 points in 977 NHL games. He wore the “C” for five seasons, and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1998. He and his two brothers Anton and Marian paved the way for hockey players from the Eastern Bloc to come to the NHL, during a time in which politics had a great impact on many hockey careers.

1. Joe Sakic (1992-2009)

Joe Sakic Colorado Avalanche

1. Joe Sakic (1992-2009)

Joe Sakic Colorado Avalanche — Sakic served as Captain for the Nordiques’ last three seasons in Quebec, then continued as captain for 13 more seasons in Colorado. He was a great, unselfish leader in the locker room, and an even greater player on the ice. He lead the team to two Cups in 1996 and 2001, had two 50-goal seasons and six 100-point campaigns. In all, “SupervJoe” had 1,641 points in 1,378 NHL games, and was inducted to the Hall of Fame in 2012.

Shaun Lavery is a Calgary Flames writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter, or add him to your network on Google.

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