x
Breaking News
More () »

What has happened since Colorado last won the Stanley Cup?

It has been 21 years since the Colorado Avalanche lifted the Stanley Cup. What has changed since then?

DENVER — The Colorado Avalanche are one win away from their third Stanley Cup Championship in franchise history. The last time the team won it: June 9, 2001. A lot has changed in the 19.5 seasons since then (that's right, I went there and will explain below).

The National Hockey League (NHL) has seen many changes in policy and rules since then. Here are some of the more notable:

  • Protective netting is put in place, above the glass and behind each end of the ice in 2002.
  • The league removed the 2-line pass rule in 2004, citing the need for faster gameplay
  • The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim drop "mighty" from their name, win the franchise's first Stanley Cup
  • The NHL expands to Seattle and Las Vegas
  • Atlanta loses their second NHL franchise as the Thrashers move to Winnipeg and become the Jets
  • Washington (2018) and St. Louis (2019) won their first Stanley Cups in franchise history
  • Tampa Bay won their first of three Stanley Cups in 2004
  • The NHL canceled the 2004-2005 season
  • The trapezoid rule (some know as the Martin Brodeur rule) is put into place following the 2004-2005 lockout
  • The NHL played a shortened the 2012-2013 season because of disputes over a new collective bargaining agreement. The season started in January 2013
  • The league played the 2020 playoffs with no fans due to the coronavirus pandemic 
  • The 2021 playoffs saw limits on stadium capacity as fans started to return to the stands
  • Booing Commissioner Gary Bettman during the presentation of the Stanley Cup became a thing
  • Hockey Hall of Fame goaltender and Avalanche legend, Patrick Roy, coached the Avalanche for 3 seasons between 2013-2016
  • Chicago, Pittsburgh and Los Angeles combined for eight championships
  • Hybrid icing calls replace touch-up icing calls
  • The league implements concussion protocols
  • Colorado's home arena changes its name from Pepsi Center to Ball Arena
  • Avalanche get a new mascot, Bernie, in 2009.

The Colorado Avalanche take on the Tampa Bay Lightning Friday night for game 5 of the 2022 Stanley Cup Final at Ball Arena. Colorado leads the series 3-1.

RELATED: Police ask hockey fans to play it cool with a possible Stanley Cup win

RELATED: Explaining the NHL's 'too many men on the ice' rule

SUGGESTED VIDEOS: Stanley Cup Final 2022

Before You Leave, Check This Out