Thanks for the memories Foppa

Over the years, I’ve bounced in and out of hockey. Especially since moving to Tulsa. Okies just don’t get hockey. When the Nordiques moved to Colorado and became the Avalanche, all seemed right with the world. It was even better when the Av’s brought home the first EVER championship to Denver.

One of the reasons Denver has raised Lord Stanley’s cup twice, is Peter Forsberg. The man was a force on the ice. Truly a sportsman. Foppa was both humble and team focused. He holds more points for assists than goals. He was one of the fastest, best puck handling forwards the game has ever seen. Unfortunately, he was also one the most injury prone players in the game.

Oh I loved to watch Peter play. I loved to see 21 on a brake away….I loved to watch him skate around guys, pull the defenseman to him only to have him feed the puck to someone else for the goal. He was a force of hockey that other teams had to deal with. The saddest day in my life was watching him play against the Av’s after the 2004 lockout. Thanks Bettman….you’re the evil lawn gnome of hockey.

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However, the Av’s brought Foppa home to see if he could still play after multiple surgeries. Unfortunately the magic wasn’t there and Peter decided to retire. The Avalanche promptly announced the retirement of Foppa’s sweater. So last night, with a tear in my eye…..Red Wing fans in my house….I watched as Foppa’s number was raised to the rafters of the Pepsi Center. He’s in great company in those rafters.

Thanks Foppa. I have some amazing memories thanks to you. You’re the man!