Colorado Avalanche is a professional hockey team that plays in the National Hockey League (NHL). The team competes in the Central Division of the Western Conference. The Avalanche plays in the Ball Arena in Denver.
The Avalanche began in 1972 as the Quebec Nordiques of the World Hockey Association (WHA). The WHA was a professional league in competition with the NHL. After the WHA broke up in 1979, the Nordiques entered the NHL. The team moved to Colorado for the 1995-1996 season.
The NHL team had limited success until the mid-1990’s. Then the Nordiques won their division in 1994-1995. The Avalanche followed by winning the division title eight consecutive seasons, through 2003. During that time, Colorado won the Stanley Cup twice. The Avalanche defeated the Florida Panthers in 1996 and the New Jersey Devils in 2001. Stars of the team during this period included goalie Patrick Roy and centers Peter Forsberg and Joe Sakic. In 2022, the Avalanche defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning to win their third Stanley Cup.
