11. Sandis Ozolinsh
Defenseman (1995-00)
• Franchise leader in regular season goals (72) by a defenseman
• Franchise leader in playoff goals (18), assists (49) and points (67) by a defenseman
• Seven-time NHL All-Star (three with Colorado)
• Stanley Cup champion (1996)
• James Norris Memorial Trophy second runner-up (1997)
“You have to have Roy, but as much as Roy was the person you have to have to win a Stanley Cup, not very far behind him was Sandis Ozolinsh. He was absolutely tremendous for this team. He was gigantic. People forget, he was 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds – and he could skate. I’ve never seen a more fearless guy. In the midst of the tightest games, he’d be standing in the other team’s crease. He scored more big goals and made more big plays by just being in places that other defensemen just didn’t dare go. He just jumped into the play. Talk about adding that spice! The Avalanche had everything you could ever want up front, and then you threw him into the mix, and it just ‘glued’ the offense of the Avalanche – the best offense in the league. He could read the play, get in the right spot at the right time, and he was talented – but was just not afraid. He loved to make the big play at the right time.” – Peter McNab, color analyst for the Colorado Avalanche
