Call It Mile High

The future is now...and it resembles Patrick Fugit.

My good friend Dobs has attended all of the Avalanche’s pre-season games. He lives and breathes Avalanche hockey. I think he loves the Avs almost as much as he loves his favorite local watering hole, The Cherry Cricket. Last week my friend had a great deal on his mind. Yes, Dobs is nervous because he is moving to South Korea next week; he will spend the next twelve months teaching English in Seoul. Yet, I tend to think Dobs is actually more nervous/excited about the ‘09 Avalanche, especially first-round draft pick Matt Duchene.

As a parting gift, I’ve allowed Dobs to address the masses. He composed the following letter to Avs fans for callitmilehigh.com under the alias “Thin Air.” Clever, I know. Dobs will write in periodically from his new roost abroad to share his perspective regarding all things Denver. Though it is nearly impossible for us to watch the NHL in America (up your nose with a rubber hose, Versus!), I believe Dobs has found some way to watch games in Asia. Go figure (please take note, commissioner imbecile…I mean, Bettman).

Ladies and Gentleman, I give you callitmilehigh.com’s inaugural editorial…

Dear Colorado,

With Number 19 permanently in Pepsi Center’s rafters come Opening Night, we will finally witness the first distinct changing of the guard for our hockey team since 1995. The Avalance slowly deteriorated since 2001. Hometown support waned as simple interest in the team vanished. The lockout, the subsequent salary cap, and the dreadful network exodus to Versus continue to haunt the league. These factors also contributed to the Avalanche’s demise. They have fallen from greatness–9 consecutive division titles–to, dare I say, shame and insignificance.

Dare I repeat myself, ”To shame and insignificance!”

As a city and state, we allowed this slide happen without accountability, without consequence. Why and how, you ask? Unfotunately, Our Town’s love and gratitude to Joe Sakic and Milan Hejduk forgives all; we are still drunk from a decade of dominance, Chris Draper’s blood, Roy’s attempts to score, blockbuster trades, and Ray Bourque’s grizzly playoff beard. We remain blinded by Peter the Great’s sheer brilliance. We are still transfixed by Footer’s perennially broken nose and swollen eyes. We always loved the regular season, as well as the offseason, because postseason success and offseason spending sprees so spoiled us. We were addicted to winning, and we befriended the guys who ensured victory. It is hard to turn your back on a friend, but it is now crucial that we ignore the ghosts of victories past.

As tough as it is to see Sakic leave the ice, I welcome his retirement. His decision to retire allows us to finally put our glory days behind us. We can now welcome a new generation of success by accepting a new generation of young stars. This healing process starts and ends with Matt Duchene.

Number 9 replaces Number 19.

I hear you screaming, “Foul. Boo. Never can Sakic be replaced.” No, Sakic’s performance on the ice and his loyalty to both his team and city will never be matched by another player. Not in this town. Not in this great state. Sakic’s loyalty to his franchise and hockey’s core values is one reason why he is a first ballot Hall of Famer. Yet, Sakic remained so loyal to Our Town because we all supported everything he did.

This is why Colorado must transfer its attention, its loyalty, and its entire fanbase to Matt Duchene. Get behind this eager eighteen-year-old. Go buy his jersey, or at least do a little background research on this humble boy from Peterborough. I attended his first two preseason games, and I already appreciate his energy, enthusiasm, and intelligence. Though his ice time was somewhat limited and erratic, he was patient beyond his years when carrying the puck around the net. Not to mention, his first two steps are faster than the road he took to the NHL; he was born in 1991! I hear he has a cannon of a shot, but I left Pepsi Center enamored most by his numerous decisions to pass instead of fire at will.

I do not expect tremendous success from the squad this season. Reality bites. The offense will hinge on Stastny’s point production, clutch shot, and (most unfortunately) his health. The team possesses a shockingly stingy defense, but its hopes rest on an unproven goaltender. As fans, we must wake up and realize that the trade deadline will no longer win the Avalanche a playoff series. Instead, the Avalanche’s success starts with a committment to coach Joe Sacco (who?) and his new system (what?).

As the saying goes, ”And then there were two…”

Hejduk and Foote are all who remain from our binge a decade ago. We remain loyal to these two gentlemen because they are just that: gentlemen. Although Hejduk tucked in the game-winning goal off the far post last week against the St. Louis Blues, I am concerned that the Avalanche can no longer rely on Milan’s Rocket Richard Award-winning touch. Never was this more evident than when Hejduk fanned on a clear breakaway during the second period.

Hejduk of 2001 snipes that shot top shelf, glove-side. No doubt.

Now, I doubt his scoring ability an awful lot.

Duchene has the skill set to compete in the NHL. He should not ever go back to Brampton. He cannot return to the Battalion for the sake of his development, and he must stay in Denver for Denver’s sake.

I miss the excitement, the thrill, and the enthusiasm of an Avalanche game. Jake Schroeder’s rendition of the National Anthem has been the most intriguing portion of Avalanche games for the past five years. Yes, Opie Gone Bad rocks (or rocked?), but enough already. Let’s welcome the new guard of players and management with arms wide open. However, let’s start things off on the right foot by holding all of the players, the coach, and the front office accountable for future direction the franchise takes. Sakic is gone, and so is the one reason to smile even as the losses pile up. With this fresh starts comes closer scrutiny. Sakic has finally become history. As a result, Greg Sherman (again, who?), Sacco, and Duchene now own the future successes and failures of this franchise. Judge these men fairly, but do judge them.

Here’s to hoping Matt Duchene finds his NHL legs quickly! I am setting my hopes high, but I vow to remain patient. Here’s to the unkown! This is something Denver’s hockey fans have not felt the thrill of since 1995 when the city received one of Canda’s favorite franchises. If nothing else, the unknown and the simple intrigue of a new, rising sports star in this city–a city so anxious to love a potentially great young leader–will restore relevency and hope to the Avalanche. Finally, here’s to another season of hockey in Colorado! Not even Versus can hinder my love of the past, present, and future of this team.

Kindly,

Thin Air