Colorado Avalanche raise Stanley Cup banner before opener

DENVER — Bowen Byram and Alex Newhook were toddlers. Cale Makar was 3. Nathan MacKinnon was 6.

That is how long it has been since the Colorado Avalanche last hung a Stanley Cup banner in Denver. Wednesday brought an end to that drought, with the team raising the third championship banner in franchise history at Ball Arena.

Fans rose to their feet when Bernie, the Avalanche's mascot, skated around the ice while waving a gigantic «Hockey is Back» flag like he has many times over the years. Players and coaches were introduced with all of them receiving strong ovations. The loudest were reserved for Pavel Francouz, Erik Johnson, MacKinnon, Makar and Mikko Rantanen.

Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog, who is on injured reserve, was introduced to the surprise of a number of fans. Landeskog received a standing ovation while skating onto the ice dressed in his full gear.

The players remained on the ice when Blink-182's bassist and singer Mark Hoppus walked onto the ice to hype up the crowd. Hoppus led the crowd as they sang his band's 2000 hit, «All The Small Things» which has become an anthem among Avalanche fans. They sang as the arena video board played a montage of fans celebrating the team's championship.

Landeskog then grabbed the Stanley Cup, lifted it over his head and then received what might have been the loudest reaction of the evening. He then set the trophy down before joining his teammates so they could get in position to watch the banner go into the rafters.

One player who sat in the distance was Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Jack Johnson. He was a member of last year's team that won the title. He remained on the bench for the majority of the ceremony before taking his place with his former teammates. They all