The 1996–97 Colorado Avalanche season was the Avalanche's

second The second (symbol: s) is a unit of time derived from the division of the day first into 24 hours, then to 60 minutes, and finally to 60 seconds each (24 × 60 × 60 = 86400). The current and formal definition in the International System of U ...

season. The franchise's 18th season in the

National Hockey League The National Hockey League (NHL; , ''LNH'') is a professional ice hockey league in North America composed of 32 teams25 in the United States and 7 in Canada. The NHL is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Cana ...

and 25th season overall.

Regular season

The Avalanche scored the most power-play goals during the regular season, with 83. And the most in the Western Conference with 277 goals.

Season standings

Playoffs

*April 24, 1997: Patrick Roy shut out Chicago by a score of 7-0. He earned his 89th postseason victory and became the goalie with the most postseason wins, surpassing the old record set by New York Islanders goalie Billy Smith.

Schedule and results

Regular season

, - , 1, , October 4, 1996, , 2–4 , , style="text-align:left;", @

St. Louis Blues The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis. The Blues compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. Th ...

( 1996–97) , , 0–1–0 , , , - , 2, , October 5, 1996, , 1–4 , , style="text-align:left;", @

Dallas Stars The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas. The Stars compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. The Stars ...

( 1996–97) , , 0–2–0 , , , - , 3, , October 8, 1996, , 6–0 , , style="text-align:left;",

San Jose Sharks The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California. The Sharks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Con ...

( 1996–97) , , 1–2–0 , , , - , 4, , October 10, 1996, , 6–6 OT, , style="text-align:left;",

Mighty Ducks of Anaheim Mighty may refer to: Businesses *Mighty Audio, an American company known for its product ''Mighty'', a portable audio player *Mighty Animation, an animation studio based in Guadalajara, Mexico Films *''The Mighty'', a 1998 comedy–drama * ''The ...

( 1996–97) , , 1–2–1 , , , - , 5, , October 11, 1996, , 2–0 , , style="text-align:left;", @

Chicago Blackhawks The Chicago Blackhawks (spelled Black Hawks until 1986, and known colloquially as the Hawks) are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago. The Blackhawks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (N ...

( 1996–97) , , 2–2–1 , , , - , 6, , October 15, 1996, , 7–2 , , style="text-align:left;",

Edmonton Oilers The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton. The Oilers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. Th ...

( 1996–97) , , 3–2–1 , , , - , 7, , October 17, 1996, , 1–2 , , style="text-align:left;",

Florida Panthers The Florida Panthers are a professional ice hockey team based in the Miami metropolitan area. The Panthers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference. The team initially played it ...

( 1996–97) , , 3–3–1 , , , - , 8, , October 19, 1996, , 9–2 , , style="text-align:left;",

Vancouver Canucks The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver. The Canucks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conferenc ...

( 1996–97) , , 4–3–1 , , , - , 9, , October 22, 1996, , 1–5 , , style="text-align:left;", @

Calgary Flames The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary. The Flames compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. The ...

( 1996–97) , , 4–4–1 , , , - , 10, , October 23, 1996, , 4–1 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 5–4–1 , , , - , 11, , October 26, 1996, , 4–2 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 6–4–1 , , , - , 12, , October 28, 1996, , 1–0 , , style="text-align:left;",

Washington Capitals The Washington Capitals (colloquially known as the Caps) are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. The Capitals compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NH ...

( 1996–97) , , 7–4–1 , , , - , 13, , October 30, 1996, , 6–3 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 8–4–1 , , , - , - , 14, , November 2, 1996, , 0–0 OT, , style="text-align:left;",

Buffalo Sabres The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. The Sabres compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Con ...

( 1996–97) , , 8–4–2 , , , - , 15, , November 3, 1996, , 1–1 OT, , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 8–4–3 , , , - , 16, , November 6, 1996, , 4–1 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 9–4–3 , , , - , 17, , November 8, 1996, , 4–1 , , style="text-align:left;", @

Phoenix Coyotes The Arizona Coyotes are an inactive professional ice hockey team based in the Phoenix metropolitan area. They competed in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division (1996–1998, 2021–2024) and ...

( 1996–97) , , 10–4–3 , , , - , 18, , November 9, 1996, , 5–2 , , style="text-align:left;",

Montreal Canadiens The Montreal Canadiens (), officially ' ( Canadian Hockey Club) and colloquially known as the Habs, are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal. The Canadiens compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic D ...

( 1996–97) , , 11–4–3 , , , - , 19, , November 11, 1996, , 6–2 , , style="text-align:left;", @

New York Islanders The New York Islanders (colloquially known as the Isles) are a professional ice hockey team based in Elmont, New York. The Islanders compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (N ...

( 1996–97) , , 12–4–3 , , , - , 20, , November 13, 1996, , 4–1 , , style="text-align:left;", @

Detroit Red Wings The Detroit Red Wings (colloquially referred to as the Wings) are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit. The Red Wings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the East ...

( 1996–97) , , 13–4–3 , , , - , 21, , November 14, 1996, , 4–5 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 13–5–3 , , , - , 22, , November 16, 1996, , 4–4 OT, , style="text-align:left;",

Hartford Whalers The Hartford Whalers were a professional ice hockey team based for most of its 25-year existence in Hartford, Connecticut. The club played in the World Hockey Association (WHA) from 1972 until 1979, and in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1 ...

( 1996–97) , , 13–5–4 , , , - , 23, , November 20, 1996, , 6–0 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 14–5–4 , , , - , 24, , November 22, 1996, , 3–2 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 15–5–4 , , , - , 25, , November 27, 1996, , 2–5 , , style="text-align:left;",

New York Rangers The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in New York City. The Rangers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team plays ...

( 1996–97) , , 15–6–4 , , , - , 26, , November 30, 1996, , 2–1 , , style="text-align:left;",

New Jersey Devils The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The club w ...

( 1996–97) , , 16–6–4 , , , - , - , 27, , December 4, 1996, , 2–0 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 17–6–4 , , , - , 28, , December 6, 1996, , 3–4 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 17–7–4 , , , - , 29, , December 7, 1996, , 2–4 , , style="text-align:left;", @

Los Angeles Kings The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles. The Kings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. ...

( 1996–97) , , 17–8–4 , , , - , 30, , December 11, 1996, , 6–1 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 18–8–4 , , , - , 31, , December 14, 1996, , 1–4 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 18–9–4 , , , - , 32, , December 17, 1996, , 4–3 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 19–9–4 , , , - , 33, , December 18, 1996, , 4–4 OT, , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 19–9–5 , , , - , 34, , December 21, 1996, , 2–6 , , style="text-align:left;",

Toronto Maple Leafs The Toronto Maple Leafs (officially the Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Club and often referred to as the Leafs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto. The Maple Leafs compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the A ...

( 1996–97) , , 19–10–5 , , , - , 35, , December 23, 1996, , 4–3 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 20–10–5 , , , - , 36, , December 28, 1996, , 5–2 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 21–10–5 , , , - , 37, , December 29, 1996, , 3–2 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 22–10–5 , , , - , 38, , December 31, 1996, , 4–1 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 23–10–5 , , , - , - , 39, , January 2, 1997, , 3–2 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 24–10–5 , , , - , 40, , January 4, 1997, , 4–4 OT, , style="text-align:left;",

Philadelphia Flyers The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia. The Flyers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team play ...

( 1996–97) , , 24–10–6 , , , - , 41, , January 6, 1997, , 2–2 OT, , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 24–10–7 , , , - , 42, , January 8, 1997, , 1–1 OT, , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 24–10–8 , , , - , 43, , January 9, 1997, , 2–0 , , style="text-align:left;", @

Ottawa Senators The Ottawa Senators (), officially the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club and colloquially known as the Sens, are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa. The Senators compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Di ...

( 1996–97) , , 25–10–8 , , , - , 44, , January 11, 1997, , 3–2 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 26–10–8 , , , - , 45, , January 15, 1997, , 4–2 , , style="text-align:left;",

Tampa Bay Lightning The Tampa Bay Lightning (colloquially known as the Bolts) are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. The Lightning compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the ...

( 1996–97) , , 27–10–8 , , , - , 46, , January 20, 1997, , 4–2 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 28–10–8 , , , - , 47, , January 21, 1997, , 2–3 OT, , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 28–11–8 , , , - , 48, , January 23, 1997, , 4–3 OT, , style="text-align:left;", @

Pittsburgh Penguins The Pittsburgh Penguins (colloquially known as the Pens) are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh. The Penguins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), E ...

( 1996–97) , , 29–11–8 , , , - , 49, , January 25, 1997, , 1–4 , , style="text-align:left;", @

Boston Bruins The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston. The Bruins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The t ...

( 1996–97) , , 29–12–8 , , , - , 50, , January 27, 1997, , 5–2 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 30–12–8 , , , - , 51, , January 29, 1997, , 6–3 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 31–12–8 , , , - , - , 52, , February 1, 1997, , 1–2 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 31–13–8 , , , - , 53, , February 2, 1997, , 5–2 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 32–13–8 , , , - , 54, , February 8, 1997, , 2–4 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 32–14–8 , , , - , 55, , February 11, 1997, , 3–1 , , style="text-align:left;",

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( 1996–97) , , 35–14–8 , , , - , 58, , February 18, 1997, , 3–2 OT, , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 36–14–8 , , , - , 59, , February 21, 1997, , 4–3 OT, , style="text-align:left;", @

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( 1996–97) , , 38–14–8 , , , - , 61, , February 25, 1997, , 1–3 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 38–15–8 , , , - , 62, , February 27, 1997, , 2–6 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 38–16–8 , , , - , - , 63, , March 1, 1997, , 2–1 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 39–16–8 , , , - , 64, , March 3, 1997, , 5–1 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 40–16–8 , , , - , 65, , March 5, 1997, , 7–3 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 41–16–8 , , , - , 66, , March 6, 1997, , 3–6 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 41–17–8 , , , - , 67, , March 9, 1997, , 2–2 OT, , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 41–17–9 , , , - , 68, , March 12, 1997, , 2–3 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 41–18–9 , , , - , 69, , March 14, 1997, , 6–3 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 42–18–9 , , , - , 70, , March 16, 1997, , 4–2 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 43–18–9 , , , - , 71, , March 18, 1997, , 4–2 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 44–18–9 , , , - , 72, , March 21, 1997, , 4–3 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 45–18–9 , , , - , 73, , March 23, 1997, , 0–2 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 45–19–9 , , , - , 74, , March 25, 1997, , 4–0 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 46–19–9 , , , - , 75, , March 26, 1997, , 5–6 OT, , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 46–20–9 , , , - , 76, , March 29, 1997, , 2–3 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 1996–97) , , 46–21–9 , , , - , - , 77, , April 2, 1997, , 5–1 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 47–21–9 , , , - , 78, , April 4, 1997, , 6–7 OT, , style="text-align:left;", @

( 1996–97) , , 47–22–9 , , , - , 79, , April 6, 1997, , 2–1 , , style="text-align:left;",

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( 1996–97) , , 49–24–9 , , , - , - , ''Legend'':

Playoffs

, - , 1 , , April 16, 1997 , , 6–0 , , align="left",

, , Avalanche lead 1–0 , , , - , 2 , , April 18, 1997 , , 3–1 , , align="left", Chicago Blackhawks , , Avalanche lead 2–0 , , , - , 3 , , April 20, 1997 , , 3–4 2OT, , align="left", @ Chicago Blackhawks , , Avalanche lead 2–1 , , , - , 4 , , April 22, 1997 , , 3–6 , , align="left", @ Chicago Blackhawks , , Series tied 2–2 , , , - , 5 , , April 24, 1997 , , 7–0 , , align="left", Chicago Blackhawks , , Avalanche lead 3–2 , , , - , 6 , , April 26, 1997 , , 6–3 , , align="left", @ Chicago Blackhawks , , Avalanche win 4–2 , , , - , - , 1 , , May 2, 1997 , , 5–1 , , align="left",

, , Avalanche lead 1–0 , , , - , 2 , , May 4, 1997 , , 4–1 , , align="left", Edmonton Oilers , , Avalanche lead 2–0 , , , - , 3 , , May 7, 1997 , , 3–4 , , align="left", @ Edmonton Oilers , , Avalanche lead 2–1 , , , - , 4 , , May 9, 1997 , , 3–2 OT, , align="left", @ Edmonton Oilers , , Avalanche lead 3–1 , , , - , 5 , , May 11, 1997 , , 4–3 , , align="left", Edmonton Oilers , , Avalanche win 4–1 , , , - , - , 1 , , May 15, 1997 , , 2–1 , , align="left",

, , Avalanche lead 1–0 , , , - , 2 , , May 17, 1997 , , 2–4 , , align="left", Detroit Red Wings , , Series tied 1–1 , , , - , 3 , , May 19, 1997 , , 1–2 , , align="left", @ Detroit Red Wings , , Red Wings lead 2–1 , , , - , 4 , , May 22, 1997 , , 0–6 , , align="left", @ Detroit Red Wings , , Red Wings lead 3–1 , , , - , 5 , , May 24, 1997 , , 6–0 , , align="left", Detroit Red Wings , , Red Wings lead 3–2 , , , - , 6 , , May 26, 1997 , , 1–3 , , align="left", @ Detroit Red Wings , , Red Wings win 4–2 , , , - , - , ''Legend'':

Player statistics

Scoring

* ''Position abbreviations: C = Center; D =

Defense Defense or defence may refer to: Tactical, martial, and political acts or groups * Defense (military), forces primarily intended for warfare * Civil defense, the organizing of civilians to deal with emergencies or enemy attacks * Defense industr ...

; G =

Goaltender In ice hockey, the goaltender (commonly referred to as goalie or netminder) is the player responsible for preventing the hockey puck from entering their own team's net, thus preventing the opposing team from scoring. The goaltender mostly plays ...

; LW =

Left wing Left-wing politics describes the range of political ideologies that support and seek to achieve social equality and egalitarianism, often in opposition to social hierarchy either as a whole or of certain social hierarchies. Left-wing politic ...

; RW =

Right wing Right-wing politics is the range of Ideology#Political ideologies, political ideologies that view certain social orders and Social stratification, hierarchies as inevitable, natural, normal, or desirable, typically supporting this position b ...

'' * '' = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Avalanche only.'' * '' = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Avalanche only.''

Goaltending

Awards and records

Awards

Milestones

Draft picks

Colorado's draft picks at the 1996 NHL entry draft held at the

Kiel Center The Enterprise Center is an 18,096-seat arena located in Downtown St. Louis, downtown St. Louis, Missouri, United States. Its primary tenant is the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League, but it is also used for other functions, such as ...

St. Louis St. Louis ( , sometimes referred to as St. Louis City, Saint Louis or STL) is an independent city in the U.S. state of Missouri. It lies near the confluence of the Mississippi and the Missouri rivers. In 2020, the city proper had a populatio ...

Missouri Missouri (''see #Etymology and pronunciation, pronunciation'') is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. Ranking List of U.S. states and territories by area, 21st in land area, it border ...

Notes

References

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:1996-97 Colorado Avalanche season C Colorado Avalanche seasons Presidents' Trophy seasons

Colorado Avalanche The Colorado Avalanche (colloquially known as the Avs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver. The Avalanche compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Con ...