*****The Avalanche were originally called the "Norteaks". The team was founded by Swedish-born entrepeneur Jan Sjogren. His idea was to form a team in a more competative division than the present teams he was currently on. He asked Ray Malinosky to become the team Captain and the partnership had begun. Star defenseman Mark Matarainen and Jan Sjogren would share Assistant Captain status. At the time, during the Spring of 2004, Sjogren and a partner had an international business in which they would periodically travel to Indonesia and purchase hand-made "teak-wood" furniture and sell it all over the world. Sjogren sponsored the team and Malinosky came-up with the name: "NORTEAKS". Nordiques was an old WHA/NHL team, so the name was altered to include the word "Teaks" in it for the "teak-wood" furniture business. On opening night, 5/17/2004, just before the game against the Mongolians, Sjogren arrived to the arena with the teams' first jerseys. They were navy blue with the word "NORTEAKS" in gold diagonally across the chest, thus the team was born! In addition, four present-day Avs' players competed in the team's 1st game. On the Norteaks were Ray Malinosky and Mark Matarainen and for the Mongolians, Chris Babcock and Dave LeClair skated.
*****On March 29, 2005, the team officially changed its name to the Avalanche and has remained the Avalanche ever since. Though the Norteaks have won a division title and made several playoff appearances, they never won a championship. The "AVS" have won (10) Championships in competition that included becoming the Champions of the highest division the final two seasons of operations of the WDC in Waterbury, CT, (3) season championships at the Zrink in Glastonbury, and (3) tournament Championships also at the ZRink in Glastonbury, CT. In all, the Norteaks/Avalanche have had four different "official" team jerseys.

>>>>TURN BACK THE CLOCK TO MONDAY, MAY 17, 2004...History begins!!!<<<<

SJOGREN SCORES FIRST GOAL IN TEAM HISTORY!

With 21 seconds left in the 1st period, forward Jan Sjogren scored the first goal in Norteaks' team history as he streaked down the middle above the slot and received a pass from the right side from teammate Ray Malinosky to break a scoreless tie. Jan beat the goaltender with a low shot in the left corner of the net after making a move to out-maneuver a defenseman. In the game, the Norteaks actually built a 3-0 lead on the visiting Mongolians, but the game would eventually end-up in a 3-3 tie.
The other two Norteak goals were scored by forwards Spencer Bronson and Ray Malinosky. Teaks' goaltender Brian Jeffries saved 19 of 22 shots for the tie as the Norteaks pick-up a "point" in their first game ever.....

***Teaks' goaltending stats:
Brian Jeffries, Tie (0-0-1), 22-shots, 19-saves, .864 sv. %, 3 goals allowed.

BOX SCORE.............. F
Mongolians..... 0 2 1--- 3
NORTEAKS.... 1 2 0--- 3

Date: Monday, May 17, 2004 Time: 7:30pm Location: Waterbury, CT


NORTEAKS PLAYER STATS:.....G....A....PTS...PEN (* indicates player currently on Avs' squad)
Bronson, Spencer (forward)..........1.....0......1........1
Donofrio, Steve (defense).............0.....1......1........0
Jeffries, Brian (goaltender)............0.....0......0........0
Malinosky, Ray (forward).............1......1......2........0*
Matarainen, Mark (defense)..........0.....1......1........0*
Melchionna, Mike (defense)..........0.....0......0........1
Perry, Paul (defense)....................0....0......0........1
Sjogren, Jan (forward)...................1.....0......1........0
Weimar, Mike (forward)................0.....0......0.........0