For the Avalanche’s first 14 years of existence in Colorado, they had one captain, Joe Sakic. Sakic was the franchise player and captain when the well-built team moved to Denver from Quebec City in 1995. But when Sakic retired in 2009, it meant that there would be a change in command for the Avalanche for the first time in their existence. The easy choice was the one that was made.
The franchise turned the reins over to long-time defenseman, Adam Foote. While Foote had left the organization for a short term as the Columbus Blue Jackets captain after the 2005 lockout, he returned to the organization to help prolong the franchise’s clinging to playoff hopes.