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Denver celebrates the Avalanche title

THE TEAM PARADED WITH THE STANLEY CUP THROUGH THE CITY CENTER

Dan Rosen @drosennhl

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Jared Bednar, the coach of the Colorado Avalanche, was on the verge of tears when he delivered an emotional speech at Civic Center Park in Denver after his team’s championship parade, after beating the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Stanley Cup final.

“I mean, this is a surreal moment for me,” the Avalanche coach said. “I’m going to try not to get emotional, but I already am. We love you guys. We love you.” Bednar was introduced to the podium after thousands of attendees heard from Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock, Colorado Governor Jared Polis and Avalanche General Manager Joe Sakic.

Sakic captained the two previous Avalanche teams to win the Stanley Cup, in 1996 and 2001. He made the team that won the Stanley Cup this year, going 16-4 in the playoffs. “How about this club?” Sakic said. “Twenty-one long [damn] years. It’s been a long time. But we’re back. We’re back.”

The parade followed a route past the Ball Arena, Broadway, and Civic Center Park. Fans lined the streets as players rode in fire trucks, many getting out of the truck to wave to the crowd. “What a parade,” Sakic said. “It’s amazing. You can tell the city of Denver has grown in the last 21 years. Lots of people.”

Bednar choked up as he spoke to them. It was the culmination of six seasons as Avalanche coach, a streak that began with the NHL’s worst 48-point season (22-56-4) in 2016-17. He said he appreciated “the level of commitment, trust and patience” that Sakic, Assistant General Manager Chris McFarland, Owner Stanley Kroenke and President Josh Kroenke displayed.

“They gave me my first chance,” Bednar said, his voice breaking, before going on to thank the families of the players and coaches for their support of him, his coaching staff and the Avalanche support staff. Throughout the process, he continued to fight back tears as he spoke.

“I couldn’t be more proud of these guys,” Bednar said of the Avalanche players. “I can’t even explain it. I couldn’t put it into words. These guys, they all have a story, right? They all have a story, and I could go through each one and the sacrifices they made for our team. I’m in awe of each one of them.” I’m very happy for them. I’m very proud of them. I love these guys.”

Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog was one of several players who addressed the crowd after Bednar spoke. “The group of guys behind me represent incredible character, commitment to win and determination to always give their best.” He told Landeskog that he is now 29 years old and came to the Avalanche when he was selected second overall in the 2011 NHL Draft.

“These guys are the best people you’ll ever meet. And guess what? The city of Denver, the state of Colorado, you guys have been amazing for the last 10 years. We just want to say thank you to all of you for all your support in these times. hard, in all the good times. As much as I love these guys behind me, this is for you, Denver.”