A Series: Looking into Avalanche and Nordiques Player Numbers: Number 16

When it comes to Number 16, it isn't a particularly prevalent one. There have been only five guys that have worn the number for the Quebec Nordiques and the Colorado Avalanche.

Michel Goulet 1980-1990: Michel is by far the longest serving number 16. In his 11 years with the Quebec Nordiques Michel wore the number 16. He played a total of 813 regular season games, had 456 goals, 489 assists - for a total of 945 points for the math lovers that's 1.16 points per game. He had 643 penalty minutes. His +/- fluctuated between a +62 (Seriously!) and a - 33. Michel scored 50 goals a season - four seasons in a row. Goulet was traded in 1990, the Nordiques crashed and burned, they had 61 losses in one season. Michel was forced to retire due to a concussion in 1994. A year after his injury, the Nordiques raised his jersey to the roof. As such it wasn't until 1996 that the number was put back into circulation. Michel was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1998. After his retirement, he came back to the organization - at this point the Colorado Avalanche - and was part of the management team during the Cup runs in 1996 and 2001.

Warren Rychel 1996 and 1999: Warren played for Colorado in 1996. When he made his way back to Denver for the 1998 he couldn't take his number because Jeff Odgers had the 16 so he grabbed the number 10. Afterward, he jumped back into the number 16. In the 1996 season Warren played 52 games, had 6 goals, 2 assists and 147 penalty minutes, and was a +6 during the regular season. During the post season he played 12 games, had 1 goal and 23 penalty minutes. In 1999 he played 28 games for Colorado, had 2 assists, 63 penalty minutes and was a +3. Warren is currently a part owner of an OHL team.

Jeff Odgers 1998: Jeff who was undrafted,was asked to a pre-training camp camp for the Minnesota North Stars. Although Jeff played in Colorado during the 1998 to 2000 season, he only wore the 16 during his first year in Denver, before switching to his preferred number: 36. In his first season in Denver Jeff played 68 games, During that time he scored 5 goals, gathered 8 assists and had a staggering 213 penalty minutes, he was also a +5. He played in 6 playoff games that year, he had no points and 25 penalty minutes. He now owns a family farm.

Darcy Tucker 2009 and 2010: Oh, Darcy Tucker. Skating is hard, right? After having his contract bought out by the Toronto Maple Leafs Darcy signed and played two seasons in Colorado gear. Darcy He played a total of 134 games in the Burgundy and Blue. He had 18 goals, 22 assists 114 penalty minutes and was a -13 his first year, and a -3 his last year. Tucker served as a guest judge on an episode of Battle of the Blades.

Jay McClement 2011 and 2012: Jay played in Colorado for one full season and the 24 remaining games after being traded from St Louis that saw him come over with Erik Johnson for Chris Stewart and Kevin Shattenkirk. He was never showy, but was always solid. Silent Jay played 104, 11 goals, 10 assists and had 43 points. He was a -8 each year. He is now a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs.