Checking Out Peter Forsberg (Part 2)

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

 
Peter Forsberg lit the hockey world on fire from the moment he first played with Modo in his hometown in Sweden. His talent was undeniable. In just over ten years, he'd won more competitions and received more honors than most players do in their lifetime. He had two Stanley Cups, an Olympic gold, two golds and two silvers in the World  Championships, a bronze in the World Cup, and numerous NHL All Star appearances. He'd also captured top honors for the best player in the season, as well as the MVP, in two different elite hockey leagues, won a Calder Award, and set records in the World Junior Championships, the Olympics and the National Hockey League. His accomplishments had piled up so much that he was already recognized as a future Hall of Fame inductee for the NHL. Yet, his body was failing him and injuries began to plague every year he played hockey.

Coming off what most describe as the best season in his career, Forsberg entered the Avalanche's 2003-2004 campaign with confidence. However, an ankle injury he sustained during 2002 continued to cause him difficulty. He was also beginning to have significant issues with his feet. On October 28th in a game against the Calgary Flames, he severely pulled his groin muscle, most likely as a result of overcompensating for his skating troubles. Although he was out of the line up for less than 10 days initially, the groin issue lingered for much longer, causing him to miss more games. Then, on February 16, 2004, he suffered a hip injury that kept him out for the next six weeks. All told, Foppa only played in 39 regular season games. As he'd done many times in the past, though, he managed to score at a 1.4 point-per-game pace, recording 55 points. He also had a strong presence in the playoffs with 11 points in 11 games.

Checking Out Peter Forsberg (Part 1)

ST. PAUL, MN - APRIL 9: Niklas Backstrom #32 of the Minnesota Wild
watches Peter Forsberg #21 of the Colorado Avalanche during game
one of the 2008 NHL quarter-final series April 9, 2008 at the Xcel Energy
Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. Colorado won, 3-2 in overtime.
Photo courtesy of Life Magazine.

There’s no way around it: Peter Forsberg is a legend. His accomplishments are heralded across the world and not just in hockey circles. Touted as being one of the - if not the - best two-way players to ever play the game, it’s impossible to deny that he’s made a huge impact on the sport. But what really makes Forsberg special can’t be found on a stat page. The heart of the Forsberg legacy can best be seen in the passion he has for the game, the dedication he has for the teams with which he’s played, and the impact he has on those around him. These are the things that have shaped the man that strikes fear in those who have to face him on the ice and awe in those who get to watch him from behind the glass.

Peter Forsberg was born on July 20, 1973 in Ornskoldsvik, Sweden. Growing up, he played both hockey and football (i.e, soccer) and actually had more promise in the latter. Much of that had to do with the fact that he was not considered big nor strong enough to be a successful hockey player. However, he decided to focus on hockey anyway. Foppa (which is simply a common way to shorten the surname Forsberg) first tried out for Modo, a club in Sweden’s elite league, Elitserien, in early 1990. However, his size and strength - or lack thereof - prompted the coach to tell him to spend the summer bulking up. In what would become a trademark aspect of his character, Forsberg did as suggested and dedicated himself to becoming strong enough to compete at the professional level.

Checking Out Philippe Dupuis

DENVER - JANUARY 06:  Philippe Dupuis #11 of the Colorado Avalanche
centers the puck against David Schlemko #6 of the Phoenix Coyotes at the
Pepsi Center on January 6 2011 in Denver Colorado.  (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

After a strong showing at training camp for the 2010-11 season, French-Canadian Philippe Dupuis found himself for the first time in his career on an NHL roster for opening night. Perhaps it was a bit discouraging, though, because he watched that first game of the season from the press box. Or, it could be that it was inspiring. Dupuis was in the line up for the following game and has left little doubt that it’s where he belongs. A versatile center with grit and playmaking ability, the 25-year-old brings a solid and reliable game to a team that’s suffered from injuries and instability much of the year.

Prior to being drafted in 2003 by the Columbus Blue Jackets, Dupuis skated for the Hull Olympiques, a member of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. In his first season with the Olympiques (2001-2002), he played in 67 regular season games, recording a modest 21 points. However, he found his scoring touch in the playoffs: 6 goals and 5 assists in 12 games. The following season, his offensive contributions continued as he notched 56 points (22g, 34a) in 68 games. The 2002-2003 season would prove to be very successful for the QMJHL team. They would go on to the finals for the Memorial Cup that year, as well as defeat the Halifax Mooseheads to win the QMJHL Championships (Presidents Cup).

Checking Out Joe Sacco

Colorado Avalanche head coach Joe Sacco talks to his team during the
closing seconds of an NHL hockey game  against the Detroit Red Wings in Detroit,
Thursday, Dec. 31, 2009. The Red Wings won 4-2. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

When Joe Sacco was named as the head coach of the Colorado Avalanche, many people - including Avalanche fans - were surprised. The Medford, MA, native had only been coaching for four years: two years as an assistant coach for Colorado’s Lowell Lock Monsters and two years as head coach in Lake Erie for the Avs’ new AHL affiliate. However, that time prepared him well for what seemed an overwhelming challenge. Despite being handed a team that found itself in the basement of the Western Conference the prior season and a roster full of young players - many unproven at the NHL level - Joe Sacco took the Avalanche somewhere few people in the hockey world thought they would go in 2009-10: the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Joe Sacco was raised by parents who knew nothing about hockey. Because the area in which they lived was hockey-centric, Sacco’s dad decided that he and his brothers should play the sport. Both Joe and his brother, David, took to it easily, so much so that they both found themselves going pro. His dad helped their development by coaching them the best he could. That included wearing work boots on the ice because he didn’t know how to skate. Sacco’s success in high school led to professional and collegiate attention. He was selected in the 4th round (71st overall) by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 1987 draft. As for college, he chose to attend Boston University both for the coaching staff and its proximity to his hometown. He wanted to give his parents, who had selflessly supported him, the opportunity to see him play.