The Colorado Avalanche: News from around the NHL - November 20th, 2013

Adrian Aucoin retires.

Veteran defenceman Adrian Aucoin is retiring after 17 seasons in the NHL.

Aucoin, 40, recorded 121 goals and 278 assists in 1,108 NHL games for the Vancouver Canucks, Tampa Bay Lightning, New York Islanders, Chicago Blackhawks, Calgary Flames, Phoenix Coyotes and Columbus Blue Jackets.

Aucoin, who scored his first career NHL goal on his first shot in his first regular-season game on May 3, 1995, said making the NHL was a childhood dream.

“I will look back on it with fondness and pride for the rest of my life,” he said in a statement.

Was Mike right?!

The Colorado Avalanche turn into impressive streak busters when they play the Chicago Blackhawks.

Desperate for a win after being outscored 13-5 during a three-game losing streak and playing without leading scorer Matt Duchene (oblique injury), the Avalanche defeated the defending Stanley Cup champions 5-1 on Tuesday at Pepsi Center.

Last year, the Avalanche snapped the Blackhawks' 24-game streak without a regulation loss to begin the season with a 6-2 win in Denver.

"It means a lot," Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog said. "We responded well tonight. We knew they are one of the best teams in the NHL. We talked about playing with confidence, and we have all the reasons in the world to stay confident. Even when [Duchene] got hurt, it's not all about him. Matt is one player, and we knew we had enough depth to play well and to win this game."

NHL.com has an article about Jan Hejda.

As it turns out, it really is possible to teach an older defenseman new tricks.

Jan Hejda, 35, is a perfect example. The Colorado Avalanche defenseman, an eight-year NHL veteran, is having a rebirth of sorts under first-year coach Patrick Roy.

The Avalanche will take a three-game losing streak into their game against the Chicago Blackhawks at Pepsi Center on Tuesday night, but they still own a very respectable 14-5-0 record and have been one of the surprise stories of the season after finishing last in the Western Conference last season.