A Series: Looking into Avalanche and Nordiques Player Numbers: Number 5

Yesterday Rob Blake won the "Who wore it best" competition yesterday, although, Uwe Krupp gave him a run for his money. Unfortunately Nurse Beachie was in the minority. There have been 11 men that have worn the number 5 in the history of the Quebec Nordiques and Colorado Avalanche. Gusarov actually played for both teams.

Shawn Belle: Shawn played 4 games for Colorado in 2011. In those games he had no points, 2 penalty minutes and was a +1.

Brett Clark: From 2004 to 2010 Brett called Colorado home. In 2004 he played in 12 games, had 2 points, 6 penalty minutes, and was a +3. In 2005 he played for the Herschey Bears due to the lockout. In 2006 he played in 80 games, had 36 points, 56 penalty minutes and was a +3. In 2007 he played in all 82 games, had 39 points, 50 penalty minutes and was a +5. In 2008 he played in 57 games, had 21 points, 33 penalty minutes and was a +5. In 2009 he played in 76 games, had 12 points, 32 penalty minutes and was a -16. In his last year in Colorado, 2010, he played 64 games, had 20 points, 28 penalty minutes and was a +6.

Todd Gill: Todd joined the Colorado Avalanche in 2002. The long-time Maple Leaf appeared in 36 games for the Avs. In those games he had four points, 25 penalty minutes and was a +3.

Alexei Gusarov: Gusarov is a member of the Triple Gold Club. He won gold at Olympics, the IIHF World Championships and the Stanley Cup. In 1991 Gusarov started his career with the Quebec Nordiques. He played 36 games, 12 points, 12 penalty minutes, was a -4. In 1992 he played 68 games, had 23 points, 22 penalty minutes and was a -9. In 1993 he played in 79 games, had 30 points, 57 penalty minutes, and was a +18. In 1994 he played in 76 games, earned 25 points, 38 penalty minutes, and was a +3. In 1995 he played 14 games, had 3 points, 6 penalty minutes, and was a -1. In 1996 he played 65 regular season, he had 20 points, 56 penalty minutes, and was a staggering +29! In 21 playoff games he had 9 points and 12 penalty minutes.

In 1997 he played 58 games, had 14 points, 28 penalty minutes, and was a +4. In 1998 he played in 72 games, had 14 points, had 42 penalty minutes, and was a +9. In 1999 he played in 54 games, had 13 points, had 24 penalty minutes, and was a +12. In 2000 he played 34 games, had 4 points, 10 penalty minutes, and was a - 8. In 2001, his last year as a professional hockey player, he played for three different teams. He was with Colorado for 9 games, had one point, and was a +2.

David Liffiton: In 2011 Dave played 4 games for Colorado. He notched 1 points, 17 penalty minutes and was a +3.

Shane O`Brien: Shane is the current wearer of the lucky number 5. Shane joined the Avalanche in 2012 he played 76 games, and had 20 points. He served 105 penalty minutes and was a +2.

Jari Gronstrand: Alright Bob, Jari didn't play on the Colorado Rockies, but he did play for the Colorado Rangers! In 1989 he joined the Quebec Nordiques and played 25 games, had 4 points, 14 penalty minutes and was a -9. In 1990 he only played 7 games with the Nords before being traded to the Rangers. In those games he managed one point, 2 penalty minutes and was a -2.

Garry Lariviere: Garry played for the Quebec Nordiques from 1977 to 1981. In 1977 he played in 15 games, had 3 points and 8 penalty minutes. In 1978 he played in 80 games, had 56 points and spent 78 minutes in the Sin Bin. In 1979 he played 50 games, netted 38 points, had 54 penalty minutes and was a -11. In 1980 he played 75 games, had 21 points, had 56 penalty minutes, and was a -10. In 1981 he played in 52 games, had 16 points, 50 penalty minutes and was a -2.

Normand Rochefort: Normand played for the Quebec Nordiques between 1981 and 1982. In 1981 he played in 56 games, had 10 points, 51 penalty minutes and was a -11. In 1982 he played in 72 games, had 18 points, had 115 penalty minutes and was a +19. In 1983 he played 62 games, had 23 points, 40 penalty minutes and was a +11. In 1984 he played in 75 games, had 24 points, 47 penalty minutes and was a staggering +41. In 1985 he played in 73 games, had 24 points, 74 penalty minutes and was a +12. In 1986 he played in 26 games, had 9 points, 30 penalty minutes and was a +9. In 1987 he played in 70 games, 15 points, 46 penalty minutes, and was a +2. In 1988 he played 46 games, 13 points, 49 penalty minutes and was a -2.

Brent Severyn: Brent played 66 games for Colorado during his only year with the Avs in 1997. He had 5 points, 193 penalty minutes and was a -6.

Wayne Van Dorp: Wayne played for the Quebec Nordiques from 1991 to 1992. He played in 4 games in 1991, 1 point, 30 penalty minutes and was a +1. In 1992 he played 24 games, 8 points, 109 points, was a +5.

All stats come from HockeyDB.com