List of Quebec Nordiques/Colorado Avalanche general managers facts for kids

The Colorado Avalanche is a professional ice hockey team from Denver, Colorado, in the United States. They play in the National Hockey League (NHL). The Avalanche moved to Denver in 1995. Before that, they were known as the Quebec Nordiques and played in Quebec since 1972. Since the team started in 1972, they have had nine different people in charge of the team as their "general manager."

What is a General Manager?

A general manager (often called a GM) is like the boss of a sports team. They are in charge of building the team. This means they decide which players to sign, trade, or draft. They also hire coaches and make big decisions about the team's future. Their main goal is to make the team successful and win championships!

The General Managers of the Avalanche

Here's a look at the people who have been the general managers for the Colorado Avalanche franchise, including their time as the Quebec Nordiques.

• Jacques Plante (May 2, 1973 – May 4, 1974)

* Jacques Plante was the very first general manager for the team when they were the Quebec Nordiques. He only held the position for about a year.

• Maurice Filion (May 7, 1974 – April 19, 1988)

* Maurice Filion was the general manager for a long time, over 13 years! * During his time, the Nordiques won the Avco World Trophy in 1977. This was a championship trophy for the World Hockey Association (WHA), which was a league before the Nordiques joined the NHL. * The team also won 1 division title and made it to the playoffs 7 times.

• Martin Madden (June 27, 1988 – February 2, 1990)

* Martin Madden was the general manager for less than two years. * During his time, the team did not make it to the playoffs.

• Maurice Filion (Interim) (February 2, 1990 – May 5, 1990)

* Maurice Filion stepped in as a temporary (interim) general manager for a few months. * The team did not make the playoffs during this short period.

• Pierre Pagé (May 5, 1990 – May 24, 1994)

* Pierre Pagé was the general manager for about four years. * The team made it to the playoffs once during his time.

• Pierre Lacroix (May 24, 1994 – May 24, 2006)

* Pierre Lacroix was a very successful general manager for 12 years. * He is so important that he was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame! This is a special place for the best players and builders of hockey. * Under his leadership, the team won the Stanley Cup (the NHL's championship trophy) two times: in 1996 and 2001. * They also won the Presidents' Trophy two times (1996–97 and 2000–01). This trophy goes to the team with the best record in the entire NHL during the regular season. * The team won 2 conference titles, 9 division titles, and made it to the playoffs 11 times!

• François Giguère (May 24, 2006 – April 13, 2009)

* François Giguère was the general manager for about three years. * The team made it to the playoffs once during his time.

• Greg Sherman (June 3, 2009 – September 19, 2014)

* Greg Sherman was the general manager for about five years. * The team won 1 division title and made it to the playoffs 2 times.

• Joe Sakic (September 19, 2014 – July 11, 2022)

* Joe Sakic is a famous former player for the Avalanche. He became the general manager for almost eight years. * Under his leadership, the team won the Stanley Cup one time in 2022! * They also won the Presidents' Trophy one time in 2020–21. * The team won 1 conference title, 2 division titles, and made it to the playoffs 5 times.

• Chris MacFarland (July 11, 2022 – present)

* Chris MacFarland is the current general manager of the Colorado Avalanche. * So far, the team has won 1 division title and made it to the playoffs 1 time under his leadership.