Eurolanche

Avalanche To Retire Foote´s Number 52

The Avalanche will raise Foote’s No. 52 to the rafters at Pepsi Center during the 2013-14 season, game and date to be announced this summer.  Foote’s No. 52 will be the fifth sweater number retired in the 18-year history of the Colorado Avalanche, joining Joe Sakic (19), Peter Forsberg (21), Patrick Roy (33) and Ray Bourque (77). Foote will be the ninth player in franchise history to have his sweater number retired, as the Quebec Nordiques retired the jerseys of Peter Stastny (26), Michel Goulet (16), Marc Tardif (8) and J.C. Tremblay (3).

Foote, 41, played 19 seasons in the NHL, 17 of those with the Avalanche/Nordiques franchise.  He was a member of Colorado’s 1996 and 2001 Stanley Cup championship teams and helped the franchise capture an NHL-record nine consecutive division titles from 1995 to 2003. Originally selected by Quebec in the second round (22nd overall) of the 1989 Entry Draft, Foote appeared in more regular season (967) and playoff games (170) than any other defenseman in franchise history.

Foote spent two seasons as Colorado’s team captain (2009-11), becoming just the second captain in Avalanche history at the time.  Foote also captained the Columbus Blue Jackets from 2005-08.

Overall, Foote amassed 308 points (66g/242a) and 1,534 penalty minutes in 1,154 career games with Quebec/Colorado and Columbus.  The blueliner was a combined +99 throughout his career.  Foote also appeared in 170 career playoff games, second to only Sakic (172) in franchise history.

Foote is still the second-highest scoring defenseman in Avalanche/Nordiques history with 259 points (56g/203a) in 967 games.  He is a combined +129 in an Avs sweater, the second-highest plus/minus number in franchise annals behind Forsberg (+210).

The Toronto native represented Canada in three Olympics: 1998, 2002 and 2006.  He helped Canada win the gold medal at the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City.  Foote won a gold medal and was named to the All-Tournament Team at the 2004 World Cup of Hockey.  He also played for Canada at the 1996 World Cup of Hockey.

Prior to turning pro, Foote spent three seasons with Sault Ste. Marie, where he was named to the Ontario Hockey League’s First All-Star Team in 1990-91.  He helped the Greyhounds reach the Memorial Cup in 1991.

-Avalanche Press Release-