The Colorado Avalanche are discussing the possibility of wearing Quebec Nordiques jerseys during certain games next season to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the team relocating.
"Next year is the team's 25th anniversary season. I think there is an opportunity," Declan Bolger, senior vice president and chief marketing officer for Kroenke Sports and Entertainment, which owns the Avalanche, told The Athletic. "We've talked about it, but the opportunity has not arose up to now. It's not the only thing we've talked about. We have talked about a lot of things."
The Nordiques joined the NHL in 1979-80 in the merger with the World Hockey Association, along with the Winnipeg Jets, Edmonton Oilers and Hartford Whalers. The Nordiques remained in Quebec for 15 seasons, winning one division title and reaching the Stanley Cup Playoffs eight times.
The team moved to Colorado in 1995-96 and won the Stanley Cup in its first season and in 2000-01. The Avalanche (42-20-8) were second in the Central Division, two points behind the St. Louis Blues, when this season was paused March 12 due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus.
A few members of the Avalanche organization have roots with the Nordiques, including general manager Joe Sakic, who was selected by Quebec with the No. 15 pick in the 1987 NHL Draft and played the first seven of his 20 NHL seasons with the Nordiques.
Bolger said the success the Carolina Hurricanes had with wearing Whalers jerseys for select games the past two seasons is part of the reason the Avalanche are considering a Nordiques jersey. The Hurricanes moved from to Carolina in 1997.
"Up to now, we have not had a uniform that has incorporated the Nordiques, but it is clear other clubs like Carolina have recently leaned into their past," Bolger said. " ... You look in the media guide and how the Nordiques records are included with the Avalanche's records, we certainly do acknowledge the Nordiques. We have been back there twice for exhibition games. It's something we have leaned into instead of away from.
"You go into the team store, we continue to sell items with the Nordiques mark."
It’s a nod to the past that has also become a cult classic.
How much longer will the #Avs have to wait before wearing the Quebec Nordiques jerseys?
