Avalanche, Red Wings alumni to face off outdoors

The Colorado Avalanche and Detroit Red Wings of the late 1990s and early 2000s will reignite their rivalry in an alumni game Feb. 26 at Coors Field in Denver, one day before the 2015-16 Avalanche and Red Wings play outdoors in the Coors Light NHL Stadium Series.

The alumni game will begin at 7 p.m. ET.

Former Colorado captain Joe Sakic will be joined by fellow Hockey Hall of Fame members Peter Forsberg, Rob Blake and Patrick Roy in the alumni game, according to the Avalanche website.

Playing for the Red Wings alumni will be forwards Brendan Shanahan and Igor Larionov, and defensemen Chris Chelios and Nicklas Lidstrom.

Sakic, who played his entire career with the Quebec Nordiques/Avalanche franchise, is Colorado's executive vice president of hockey operations, and Roy is entering his third season as Avalanche coach.

"We have had an outstanding rivalry with the Red Wings during those years," Sakic said. "We are looking forward to experiencing this grand outdoor setting and a special weekend of hockey in Denver."

From 1996-2002, Detroit and Colorado combined to win the Stanley Cup five times (Red Wings: 1997, 1998, 2002; Avalanche: 1996, 2001). They met in the playoffs five times in seven seasons; the Avalanche won three of the five series.

More players will be announced at a later date.