Special Sub-Topic: Who Am I? 2002-03 Click Here To Play: Who Am I? 2002-03

Who was the right wing, born in Florida but raised in Minnesota, who wore the number 13 as "Dad's lucky number", in the 2002-03 season?

Dan Hinote. Although Dan Hinote was born in Leesburg, Florida, he moved to Elk River, Minnesota, when he was young, and claims himself a Minnesotan (and has a surefire Minnesotan accent). Hinote played in his first game with the Avalanche on 5th October, 1999. He won the Lester Kinney Award in 1999 for most improved player in Hershey, Colorado's AHL affiliate. Dan Hinote also was an AHL All-Star in 2000.

Who was the captain of the Avalanche in 2002-03, acquired as Quebec's second choice in the 1987 entry draft?

Joe Sakic & Sakic. Joe Sakic has had quite a career. Since Sakic played in his first NHL game on October 6, 1988, he has won the Stanley Cup with Colorado twice, met the rare 500 goal mark, played in both the World Cup and Olympics, won the 1996 Conn Smythe Trophy, and won the 2001 Hart, Lady Byng, and Lester Patrick trophies.

Which defenseman was traded to Colorado (in 2001) with Steve Reinprecht from the LA Kings, in exchange for Adam Deadmarsh, Aaron Miller, Jared Aulin, a first round draft pick, and future considerations?

Rob Blake. Rob Blake, born in Simcoe, Ontario, was traded to Colorado February 21, 2001. It seemed to be a pretty worthwhile trade, considering the Avs went on to win the Stanley Cup that year. Blake won the Norris Trophy in 1998.

Which of the following players did the Avs acquire from the Carolina Hurricanes, at trading deadline in 2002-03?

Bates Battaglia. Battaglia, a native of Chicago, was traded to the Avs for Radim Vrbata on 11th March, 2003.

Which player, also on the Avalanche's 2001 Stanley Cup team, wore jersey number 40 in 2002-03?

Alex Tanguay. There was talk of Tanguay being traded earlier in the season, but after Tony Granato became coach in December, and Tanguay's confidence was regained, you could say a spark was lit. Tanguay played in the "AMP" line with Peter Forsberg and Milan Hejduk. He ended up with 67 points, 26 goals, and 41 assists, the third most on the Avalanche.

Who was the veteran who played for the New York Rangers, Dallas Stars, and St. Louis Blues, before finally being signed back to the Avalanche in February 2002 (He had played with them in the 1996-97 season and part of the '95-96 season)?

Mike Keane. Yelle didn't even play for the Avs in 2002-03, so hopefully you didn't pick that. Keane was traded to the Avalanche from the Canadiens in 1995, and was traded with Patrick Roy. Fun fact: Keane has tattoos of his three Stanley Cups on his ankles.

Who was traded to Colorado in March 2003, and has been suspended over 12 times in his NHL career?

Bryan Marchment & Marchment. Bryan Marchment said, "Its a love-hate relationship. If you're playing with me, it's a love thing. If you're playing against me, it's a hate thing. That's the way it's always been". Why Marchment has been suspended and fined: Head-butting: 1 Illegal check: 1 Game misconduct:1 Leaving bench to fight: 1 Kneeing: 4 Hitting another player: 1 Unsportsmanlike conduct: 1 Spearing: 1 Elbowing: 1

There were three Avalanche defenseman who scored at least 10 goals in the 2002-03 regular season. Which one who was also traded to Colorado in October 2002?

Derek Morris & Morris. Morris scored 11 goals and had 37 assists in the regular season, but also proved to be a strong link in the Avalanche defensive core. He finished plus-16. Rob Blake with 17 goals and Adam Foote with 11 goals, were the other 2 Colorado defensemen to score at least 10 goals.

Martin Skoula was the only European Avalanche defenseman in the 2002-2003 season?

t. Skoula was born October 28, 1979, in Litomerice, located in the Czech Republic. All of the other defensemen for the Avs are Canadian.

Who was the only defenseman for the Avs in 2002-03, who also played for the Quebec Nordiques (which is the same franchise as the Avalanche, their first year in Colorado was 1995)?

Adam Foote & Foote. Fun fact: Foote makes a sandwich (often for his teammates) that he calls the "Footer" (his own nickname). You can't help but feeling a little sorry for those who eat the sandwich; personally, I don't think Foote's combination of sourdough bread, Canadian bacon, eggs, catsup, mustard, mayonaise, butter, Cheez Whiz, and sliced cheese sounds too appetizing.

Which player led the Avs in points in 2002-03?

Peter Forsberg. Forsberg actually led the whole league in points, with 106 (29 goals and 77 assists), meaning he won the Art Ross Trophy. He also won the Hart Trophy as league MVP, and the Bud Lighy Plus/Minus trophy, tied with teammate Milan Hejduk with plus-52.

Who was the Avalanche backup goalie in the 2002-03 season?

David Aebischer. Aebischer compiled a 7-12-0 record in the 2002-03 season. He allowed 50 goals in 22 games played and made 593 saves. Aebischer's GAA was 2.43.

Which player won the Rocket Richard Trophy in 2002-03, scoring the most goals in the NHL by hitting the 50 goal mark?

Milan Hejduk & Hejduk. "Duke's" quick hands and good hand-eye coordination made him an important part of the Avs lineup, and he was another member of the fabulous AMP line. Hejduk really enjoys golfing and tennis in the off-season, and his mom was a professional tennis player. His hockey interest came from his Dad, a former hockey player who coached a junior team.

This 6'0", 190 lb Canadian forward on the Avalanche in 2002-03, was speedy on skates. Who was it?

Steve Reinprecht. Reinprecht is probably the fastest skater on the Avs, except Forsberg is way up there too. In 2002-03, Reinprecht posted his career-high for regular-season points, with 51 (18 goals and 33 assists).

Who was the Avs No. 1 goalie in 2002-03?

Patrick Roy & Roy. The 2002-03 season was Roy's final season in the NHL. He went 35-15-13, and made 1,723 saves throughout the regular season, compiling a 2.18 GAA. Throughout his career playing for the Montreal Canadiens and Colorado Avalanche, Roy has won 3 Vezina Trophies, 4 Stanley Cups, 3 Conn Smythe Trophies, 4 William M. Jenning Awards (fewest goals allowed), and 11 All-Star Game appearances.