Greatest Birthday Present Ever

Today is my birthday, and while I generally don't get overly excited for my date of birth, the present I received has me completely revved up.

I'll be taking my first trip to Denver in October. October 1st.

I'll also be attending my first Avalanche game in Denver. Against the Sharks. On October 1st.

Joe Sakic was my childhood hero, and now that I'm getting the chance to see his number retired, I'm in complete and utter shock.

If anyone from Colorado is reading this, I'd appreciate some suggestions on what to do or where to go before and after the game. I'm flying in the day before and leaving the night after so I will have some free time to explore the city a bit.

So excited.

The Brett Favre of Referees

Thought this was an interesting story on an ordinary August day:

Sources tell TSN, Stephen Walkom is leaving his post as the NHL's Director of Officiating with the intention of making a comeback as an NHL referee.

The 46-year old recently informed the league of his decision after several months of contemplating the move.

Walkom will physically prove he can return and will participate in the NHL officials training camp which opens on Sept 7.
TSN

If you go back and watch NHL games from before the lockout, it's amazing to see how much obstruction there used to be. There's no doubt that the post-lockout on-ice product is better and much of that is thanks to Walkom.

As long as the man below doesn't replace him...














...good luck to Mr. Walkom

New Address

It always annoyed me when someone would refer to this site as "Avsrant." True, the old url was http://avsrant.blogspot.com but still, does it take that much effort to read the banner?

I've rectified the problem by registering a domain. This site can now be reached by any of the three links:

www.avsfactor.com

http://avsfactor.com

http://avsrant.blogspot.com

I would appreciate anyone linking to the site to use the new www.avsfactor.com link; however, the old url will still work.

Also, I realize people may still get the site name wrong, calling it "Avs Factor." Oh well, it's closer.

I'll also be revamping the site design, and possible moving away from blogger in the coming weeks. If I don't have time now, I'm sure I'll have plenty next June.

Hope everyone is having a terrific end of summer. Hockey season feels close, but it's still so far away.

Nothingness

We've reached that time of the year when nothing happens in the world of hockey. In fact, the most exciting piece of Avalanche news is that Adrian Dater came back for a day to speculate about a possible Avalanche third jersey - maybe.

We're under the 45-day mark until the home opener. Until then, we can all talk about the Coyotes and Patrick Kane. Sounds like a good time, eh?

Blogger's Breakout

Fantasy Hockey Scouts is having a "Blogger's Breakout" in which a blogger from each NHL team picks two players on that team that could have a huge year.

I was asked to represent the Avalanche.

Check out my picks, and tell me why I'm completely wrong.