DENVER — Bowen Byram And Alex Newhook were toddlers. Cale Makar The 3. Nathan MacKinnon It was 6.
This is how long it’s been since the Colorado Avalanche Denver last hung a Stanley Cup Banner. Wednesday marked the end to the drought by the team raising the third championship banner of franchise history at Ball Arena.
Bernie, Avalanche’s mascot skated across the ice waving his huge “Hockey is Back!” flag. Fans were elated. With strong ovations, all players and coaches were introduced. The loudest were reserved to Pavel Francouz, Erik JohnsonNathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar Mikko Rantanen.
Surprised fans were surprised when Gabriel Landeskog (Avalanche captain) was introduced. Landeskog was greeted with a standing ovation as he skated onto the ice in full gear.
When Blink-182’s singer and bassist Mark Hoppus came onto the ice, the players remained on the ice. Hoppus was trying to get the crowd excited. Hoppus led the crowd in singing “All The Small Things”, a 2000 hit that has become an Avalanche anthem. The arena video board displayed a sequence of cheers from fans to celebrate the team’s victory.
Landeskog took the Stanley Cup and raised it to his head. He then got the loudest response of the night. The trophy was then placed on the ground by Landeskog, who joined his team to view the banner rise into the rafters.
One player sat in the distance. Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Jack Johnson. He was also a member the winning team last year. He remained at the back of the crowd for most of the ceremony and then he was able to take his place next to his former teammates. All of them stood side-by-side to witness the banner being placed next to their previous titles from 1995-96, 2000-01 seasons.
Alex Newhook, Avalanche center, said that it was going to be fun to soak it all in before the game. “But, we also know that it’s the end of celebrations so we need to be prepared.”
Each banner-raising ceremony has its own level of anticipation. The Avalanche’s morning skate was the beginning. The players walked into the brand-new dressing room, where they were immediately met with questions about the evening that had been years in preparation. The ceremony began when players arrived at the arena. They were surrounded by fans as they walked down a red carpet.
This was also the time Hoppus arrived in Ball Arena. When he walked through the halls wearing a Los Angeles Rams blue hoodie, he received a few double takes from both arena workers and others. Hoppus then met the entertainment and production team at the arena who guided him through his part of the ceremony.
The 2019-20 season saw the classic song by Blink-182 become an in-game staple. It was played in between sequences, and eventually the crowd would continue singing the song long after it ended.
Hoppus stated that he was first aware of the song after reading a tweet by a fan recommending that he check out the Avalanche’s use of Blink’s famous song.
“It’s insane. Hoppus explained that we wrote the song in 1999, and it is still being sung today 23 years later. “People imitate (guitarist/singer Tom DeLonge’s) voice. It’s a whole concept. It has taken on a life all its own, beyond our band. It brings me joy.”
Hoppus stated that he didn’t get to see the entire playoff run of the Avalanche. He was able to see Game 6 against the Avalanche. Tampa Bay Lightning.
Hoppus said that “we tried to get out at one time during the Stanley Cup Finals, but our plane had mechanical problems and we weren’t able to takeoff.” This was a day after Hoppus revealed they would be reuniting to release a new record.
Hoppus was approached by the NHL to ask if he would be interested in an active part in the ceremony. Hoppus stated that he was honored to have an active role in such an important event for the franchise.
Planning the ceremony started shortly after the Avalanche won the Stanley Cup, said Steve Johnston, the executive producer and executive for game presentation for Kroenke Sports & Entertainment.
Johnston stated that his team was immediately on the job after the Stanley Cup win by the Avs. The team began to produce the videos that were shown during the ceremony. They also developed other details, such as a winch that would allow them to raise the banner from the netting to the top of the glass to the rafters.
But, some details were resolved much later. The first was how active Landeskog would have to be during the ceremony while he recovers from his injury. The other detail was the time it took to practice the ceremony. Johnston stated that Ball Arena was so busy that the team had only one rehearsal for raising banners. The Blackhawks finished their morning skate on Wednesday, so they were able for them to practice again Wednesday afternoon.
Johnston stated that Johnston used the 2001 banner as a raiser because he didn’t want anyone to take pictures of the new banner. This special night has been planned for all of summer.”