Avalanche Stanley Cup parade live blog

The Colorado Avalanche celebrated their Stanley Cup championship with a parade Thursday. NHL.com senior writer Dan Rosen followed along and provided all the sights and sounds from the festivities. You can relive the whole event here,

As Blink-182's "All the Small Things" was playing, the fans all singing, the Avalanche players raising the Cup, a fan could be seen hanging at the top of a light pole in Civic Center Park getting the bird's eye view of the grand celebration.
Gabriel Landeskog, still wearing his Sweden flag around his shoulders, was dancing as "Celebration" played after "All The Small Things."
The parade is over but the party in Denver is not.
It's time for the summer with Stanley to begin.
After Bednar was done, McGahey got back up and said it was raining and there was lightning in the area.
"They did not ruin our Stanley Cup chances and they won't ruin this either," McGahey said.
Landeskog then took off his shirt, wrapped a Swedish flag around him and raised the Stanley Cup before delivering his remarks to fans chanting, "Landy, Landy, Landy."
Tweet from @NHLGIFs: #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/5Bpr5i6khs
He became speaker and master of ceremonies at the same time.
"The group of guys behind me I can't even begin to tell you the resiliency, the commitment to win, the determination to win, the attitude. These guys are the best people you will ever meet. It's these guys right here and guess what, the city of Denver, the state of Colorado, you guys have been expletive] amazing for the last 10 years. We just want to thank all of you guys for all your support, through all the tough times, the good times.
"I can not even begin to explain to you guys for how much love I have for these guys behind me and how much love I have for you guys. As much as I love these guys behind me, this is for you Denver. We [expletive] love you guys."
And he raised the Stanley Cup again before introducing "the old [man] of the team, Erik Johnson."
"Denver, we did it," said Johnson, the 34-year-old who is the longest tenured member of the Avalanche, having gotten to Denver during the 2010-11 season.
Johnson then started the crowd in a rendition of Blink-182's "All The Small Things," which is sung at every home game at Ball Arena.
He raised the Cup, kissed it and introduced Nathan MacKinnon.
"It's been a long road coming to this point," MacKinnon said. "My ninth year, I finally won something."
Landeskog came back.
"Have you guys ever heard of the Conn Smythe? OK, here's the one and only, the best person in the whole world, Cale Makar."
The defenseman got to the mic to the fans chanting "MVP, MVP, MVP."
"Nobody is raining on our parade today," Makar said.
Mikko Rantanen was next and the Finnish forward joked that he lost all ability to speak English after the parade and joked that he would just talk to fellow Finn Artturi Lehkonen for the rest of the night.
And here came Landeskog again, introducing Nazem Kadri.
"I can't even see toward the end," Kadri said. "Guys, this is incredible. This is one of the best parades I've ever seen. Lightning, thunder, it doesn't matter, we come with the Avalanche baby.
"I love you guys. We're the champs, baby. We're the champs."
When Kadri was done, it was Karaoke time and it was time for a real version of "All The Small Things."
The thousands in attendance made it feel like a home game at Ball Arena, singing along to Blink-182's hit song.
After Sakic spoke and told the fans in attendance this Stanley Cup championship is for them, it was Jared Bednar's turn up at the microphone.
The Avalanche coach was fighting back tears as he spoke.
"This is a surreal moment for me," Bednar said. "I'm going to try not to get emotional but I already am. We love you guys, love you."
Bednar thanked "the level of commitment and trust and patience" that Sakic and the ownership group had in him.
"They gave me my first chance," he said.
He thanked the families of all the players and coaches for their support. He also thanked his coaching staff and the Avalanche support staff.
"They do all the heavy lifting, honestly," Bednar said. "You don't even know how much work these guys do to be successful."
And then about the players, Bednar again was fightning back the tears as he spoke.
"I couldn't be more proud of these guys," he said. "I can't even explain it. I couldn't put it into words. I mean, everyone has a story and I could go through every guy and the sacrifices they made for our team. I'm amazed by every single one of them. I'm so happy for them. I'm so proud of them. I love these guys."
Bednar closed by thanking the fans for their support.
"I love you," he said. "I appreciate it. Thank you for letting me be a part of it."
Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock had the first speech at the rallying, thanking all the first responders and everyone who made the parade possible, along with Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog and defenseman Cale Makar, the Conn Smythe Trophy winner.
The Avalanche players put Makar up on their shoulders and the fans started chanting, "All Hail Cale, All Hail Cale."
Landeskog, now with the Swedish flag wrapped around his neck like a scarf, held up the Stanley Cup again and the crowd went nuts, chanting "Let's go Avs, Let's go Avs, Let's go Avs."
Erik Johnson then picked up the Cup and Nazem Kadri came over to give it a hug before he too lifted it up over his head.
The mayor finished up his remarks by recognizing Denver East High School, who won the USA Hockey High School national championship and the University of Denver Pioneers, who won the NCAA men's ice hockey national championship along with the Colorado Mammoth, the National Lacrosse League champinships.
The major then issued a proclamation that today is "Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche Day" in Denver.
Jared Polis, the governor of Colorado, then took the microphone and offered his congratulatory remarks.
Conor McGahey, Colorado's radio broadcaster, took the mic after the governor and introduced Avalanche executive vice president and general manager Joe Sakic, who was the captain of the last Avalanche team to win the Cup in 2001.
"How 'bout this team," Sakic said. "Twenty-one long damn years. It's been a long time. But we're back, we're back.
"What a parade. That's unbelievable. You can tell the city of Denver has grown in the last 21 years. So many people."
After the video tribute, the Avalanche coaching staff was introduced one by one, each walking through a cloud of smoke and culminating with coach Jared Bednar, the first person in history to coach teams to championships in the ECHL, American Hockey League and NHL.
The player introductions followed, starting with defenseman Jack Johnson, who graduated from the University of Michigan earlier this spring and now won the Stanley Cup for the first time after playing 1,024 games.
When Cale Makar was introduced, the 23-year-old defenseman carried the Conn Smythe Trophy on the stage and placed it on a table next to the podium. Makar, 23, won the Norris Trophy, Conn Smythe Trophy and Stanley Cup this year.
[Tweet from @NHLGIFs: The MVP brought his trophy 🏆 pic.twitter.com/Kt0Re5IMYR
Valeri Nichushkin walked on stage with a limp, a foot injury he sustained in the Cup Final still obviously bothering him.
Nicolas Aube-Kubel and Alex Newhook had some fun, crossing arms and chugging their drinks as they walked on stage.
Logan O'Connor poured his drink down his throat from high above his mouth.
Not surprisingly, center Nathan MacKinnon received a huge ovation when he was introduced as he came out pumping up his arms toward the crowd.
When the Avalanche were eliminated in the second round by the Vegas Golden Knights on last year, MacKinnon famously said, "I'm going into my ninth year next year and I haven't won expletive]."
A year later he's a Stanley Cup champion.
Nazem Kadri is wearing a shirt that says "TOO MANY MEN," clear reference to the Tampa Bay Lightning thinking he scored the overtime winner in Game 4 with too many men on the ice.
[Tweet from @NHLGIFs: Girard is so talented. pic.twitter.com/xkAOpeKfTb
Gabriel Landeskog, the Avalanche captain, came out with the Stanley Cup raised over his head and Queen's "We are the Champions" playing.
Landeskog, in sunglasses, also had a Swedish flag wrapped around his waste as he hugged Erik Johnson and MacKinnon, the three longest tenured Avalanche players.
Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock got the first words at the podium after the introductions.
The rally at Civic Center Park has begun with a video tribute to the Avalanche and how they became Stanley Cup champions.
Bowen Byram summed up how the Avalanche players have handled the past four days since winning the Stanley Cup on Sunday night in Tampa Bay and arriving back in Denver with it on Monday.
"The last four days, I don't remember much," Byram told reporters at Civic Center Park, according to The Athletic.
Gabriel Landeskog took the microphone from Nick Rothschild from Denver7, the local ABC affiliate covering the parade, and as he was walking into the park toward the stage thanked the fans for their support.
"Thank you guys for all your love and let's get back at it next year," Landeskog said.
Tweet from @NHL: What a crowd! 👏 @Avalanche | #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/bZRRaJHfHZ
Fans are singing along to Bon Jovi's "Living on a Prayer" in Civic Center Park as they wait for the Avalanche and the Stanley Cup to arrive on stage.
The big question: When will they be singing Blink-182's "All the Small Things?"
The song was released in 1999 but has become even more popular at Colorado home games, where fans sing it during a stoppage in play during the third period of almost every game.
Tweet from @Avalanche: Everyone chants MVP and Cale immediately points to Devon. #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/guoKrDse8D
The parade is getting closer to Civic Center Park with many of the fire truck floats having already pulled in.
Logan O'Connor caught up with Nick Rothschild from Denver7, the local ABC affiliate that is covering the parade, and the Avalanche forward praised the fans.
"Nothing beats this," he said. "This is what it's all about, sharing it with the city. We've been so fortunate all year and it's been awesome to celebrate with everybody.
"Surreal, for sure, the whole time."
O'Connor also played at the University of Denver from 2015-18 before signing with the Avalanche as an undrafted free agent July 23, 2018.
Bowen Byram was praising the fans, thanking them, calling them the best in the NHL, when Alex Newhook jumped into the interview.
"We're champs forever, baby," Newhook said. "We're champs forever."
This is an unconfirmed statement, but so far Newhook, Colorado's 21-year-old forward, might be having the most fun of anybody in the parade.
"You guys are the best, best in the world," Newhook said to the fans on Altitude TV. "I've said it all parade. I don't know if you can hear me, my voice is all gone, but best in the world. Being a Canadian, people don't think of Colroado having the best fans in the world, but I promise you."
Newhook, by the way, also was NHL.com's player blogger for the Avalanche during the Stanley Cup Final. So essentially, a colleague won the Stanley Cup, right?
The parade is closing in on Civic Center Park, the final rallying point where the thousands of fans waiting there will see the Stanley Cup and hear from many of their favorite players.
Tweet from @NHLGIFs: lol pic.twitter.com/w2YRSUmNVe
Gabriel Landeskog is off his fire truck float too, holding his son, high fiving the crowd.
Nathan MacKinnon is off the float too, celebrating with fans lining the parade route.
The Cup is on their float and was being held up by three female family members until Erik Johnson grabbed it and held the 35-pound trophy over his head.
Many spectators on the parade route have said they can't wait to see the players and the Cup. The players are bringing themselves to the fans and the Cup is right there for them to see.
Fans are actually throwing beers up to the players on their floats. Many are using them to fill super soakers to douse the fans. Yes, they are also drinking them.
J.T. Compher has climbed down off the fire truck float and the Avalanche forward is now a man on the street, double-fisting some drinks and high-fiving fans along the parade route at the same time, an impressive feat no doubt.
Cale Makar has the Conn Smythe Trophy on his fire truck float. He won the trophy for being the most valuable player of the Stanley Cup Playoffs with 29 points (eight goals, 21 assists) in 20 games.
Tweet from @Avalanche: Everyone chants MVP and Cale immediately points to Devon. #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/guoKrDse8D
The parade is about halfway through the route down 17th Street toward Broadway and eventually Civic Center Park, where a stage is set up in front of thousands of fans.
Avalanche forwards Logan O'Connor and J.T. Compher are standing on the same fire truck float and between them is a mock Stanley Cup that appears to be made out of Bud Light cans with a silver bowl on top.
The Avalanche players who have super soakers are filling them with beer and spraying the fans, which, of course, is only adding to the celebration.
The Stanley Cup has arrived on the parade route.
Erik Johnson is holding the Cup from his fire truck float and is joined by Nathan MacKinnon and Gabriel Landeskog.
They are the three longest tenured Avalanche players.
The parade is coming down 17th Street, crossing Blake Street, and the celebration is most definitely on.
"Let's go baby," Avalanche forward Alex Newhook screamed into the Altitude TV microphone. "Everyone is having a great time. Best fans in the world."
Newhook is on a float with defenseman Bowen Byram.
Darcy Kuemper has a super soaker with him on his float and he's ready to douse some fans along the parade route.
"I'll try to get as many shots in as I can," the Avalanche goalie said to Vic Lombardi from Altitude TV on his fire truck float.
Tweet from @NHLGIFs: Keeping that crowd hydrated 😆 pic.twitter.com/YDJlkj8sgT
Kuemper said he was blown away by what he was seeing.
"This is amazing," he said. "It feels like the whole city is here. This is going to be a fun day."
A pending unrestricted free agent, Kuemper gave away his wish.
"I love it here, how could you not?" he said. "Look at this, this is amazing. Hopefully I'm back."
Josh Manson has his wife, Julie, and daughter, Gemma, on the fire truck float with him. He spoke with Kyle Keefe from Altitude TV as the parade was passing Ball Arena.
"It's been a whirlwind of a four days, but it's been so enjoyable," Manson said, wearing his Avalanche sweater with his number 42 on the back. "I don't want it to stop. This is a lot of fun. I want to keep it going."
Manson said he already had his day with the Cup planned.
"I'm going to bring it home to Saskatchewan, my hometown Prince Albert and then to Christopher Lake," he said.
The fire truck floats carrying the Avalanche players, coaches, executives, team personnel, their families and, of course, the Stanley Cup have pulled out of the parking lot, crossed by Ball Arena, and the parade is on.
The floats will take the team from Union Station down 17th Street before a turn right onto Broadway and make its way into Civic Center Park, the rally point where thousands of fans are waiting for them.
Several players have water guns. The fire trucks have their sirens going and they're honking as they go on. Pure fun. They're having a blast.
The parade is supposed to start right about now, but the players and their families are still loading onto the fire trucks that will be taking them through downtown Denver.
Avalanche defenseman Jack Johnson told Altitude TV that he has his younger brother Kenny, Uncle Scott, his wife Kelly and his three kids on the fire truck float with him.
"Unreal," Johnson said. "Longest, greatest celebration of my life. At some point yeah we'll get back to normal life], but that time will come. We're soaking up every minute of this and enjoying it as much as we can."
The streets still are empty but lined with fans on both sides. The parade will begin at Union Station and come down Blake Street in about 15 minutes.
The parade coverage is underway on NHL Network and streamed here on NHL.com too.
The Avalanche are getting their day to celebrate with the entire Denver community. Civic Center Park is packed, thousands in attendance, waiting for their champions to arrive.
The weather looks perfect for a championship celebration.
Of note, great to see Peter McNab, longtime Avalanche broadcaster, on the set. What a year for McNab, who [fought cancer and put it into remission before watching his team win the Stanley Cup.
The Avalanche just posted a couple pictures on their official Twitter account that show how packed it is at Civic Center Park.
Tweet from @Avalanche: The place is PACKED!#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/Ar7UXMd6FN
Also of note, Blink-182 Day is celebrated each year on June 30, which, of course, is the 182nd day of the year and, yes, today.
This matters to the Avalanche because, if you didn't know by now (how could you not?), fans at Ball Arena have been singing the band's hit song "All the Small Things" during a stoppage in the third period since the 2019-20 season.
They never sang it louder or prouder than during the Stanley Cup Final.
Good bet they sing it today too.
The Avalanche aren't the only championship hockey team celebrating in Denver today.
Denver University won the 2022 NCAA Men's Ice Hockey championship on April 9 with a 5-1 win against Minnesota State.
The Pioneers will have a float in the Avalanche's championship parade, as noted by this tweet from Arielle Orsuto, a reporter for 9News Denver, the local NBC affiliate.
Tweet from @ArielleOrsuto: The Pios are in the place! @DU\_Hockey will get a float in the championship parade ��� as one third of the Hockey Town celebration 🎉 #9sports pic.twitter.com/twAr9nMUNt
Orsuto also notes in another tweet that Denver East High School will also have a float. Denver East won the Division II title at the 2022 USA Hockey High School National Championships in Plano, Texas on March 28.
Tweet from @ArielleOrsuto: Denver East Hockey getting ready to load the float. The first Denver hockey team to win the championship this year. @DenverEastHS @9NEWSSports #9sports pic.twitter.com/kVnZp6IQWI
Pretty cool that the Avalanche are sharing their day with other local championship hockey teams.
When the Colorado Avalanche players walk into Ball Arena and head toward their dressing room they pass pictures of past Stanley Cup championship parades from 1996 and 2001 featuring general manager Joe Sakic, who was the captain of those teams.
Next season, they should expect to walk past pictures of their own parade. Those memories will be created today, with Denver ready to party with its Stanley Cup champions.
The Avalanche championship parade through downtown is scheduled to get started in about 45 minutes and it will culminate with a rally at Civic Center Park.
Fans have been posting pictures on Twitter with #GoAvsGo showing packed trains heading toward downtown and a jammed Civic Center Park. The NHL Network will provide coverage of the parade and NHL.com will be streaming it too.
Stay tuned right here for live updates throughout the celebration. - Dan Rosen