    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book I)]
    [January 10, 1997]
    [Pages 26-27]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks to the 1996 National Hockey League Champion Colorado Avalanche
    January 10, 1997

        I'd like to welcome all of you to the White House, especially
    Representative Diana DeGette; and Charlie Lyons, the president of Ascent
    Entertainment; and of course the 1996 Stanley Cup winners, the Colorado
    Avalanche.
        I'm pleased that all of you could join us today to congratulate the
    team, especially the people who have come all the way from Colorado. Ice
    hockey is one of the fastest, most exciting games going, and there was
    an article in one of the papers yesterday detailing all the cities in
    America that now want a hockey franchise. I think it's because Colorado
    won the championship so quickly. [Laughter]
        When you watch an amazing team like the Avalanche take the ice, you
    understand why children all over our country for the first time are
    trying on skates and crowding the rinks. This was a very awe-inspiring
    performance that this team turned in this year.
        No one could have anticipated the kind of season you've had when you
    moved to Denver just 18 months ago, rolling over the NHL like the
    avalanche you are so well named for. You swept the final series against
    the Florida Panthers, a great team who deserve a lot of credit for being
    the youngest expansion team to make it to the Stanley Cup final after
    only 3 years in the league. And as the Avalanche played out the final
    minutes of the triple overtime game that brought you to victory, you
    also showed what teamwork is all about. I may show those final minutes
    to the Cabinet repeatedly over the next 2 years. [Laughter]
        In one short season, you captured the heart of your new home city
    and gave Colorado its first major sports championship ever. Your coach,
    Marc Crawford, is the third youngest coach in history to lead a team to
    a Stanley Cup victory. That's a remarkable achievement, something I can
    identify with. I used to be the youngest person doing things--
    [laughter]--a long time ago. At 27, Joe Sakic brings incredible talent
    and maturity to the team, and I see him here recovering from his recent
    injury. I hope you'll be back on your skates soon. Your outstanding
    goalie, Patrick Roy, must be used to this by now. Of course, this is his
    third Stanley Cup victory. I understand he's an avid golfer as well, and
    the difference is, of course, in golf you're not allowed to block the
    other person's shots. [Laughter] I must say, there have been a lot of
    times when I wished there had been someone there to block mine.
        This victory belongs to every player on the team. By bringing home
    to Denver and to Colorado their first ever professional sports
    championship, you have justified the loyalty and pride of some
    ferociously loyal and proud fans. And I think it highly likely that
    you'll keep them happy again this year too. After your win against the
    Senators last night, I know you're number one in the NHL again.
        Now I'd like to introduce the commissioner of the National Hockey
    League, Gary Bettman, to continue the program.

    Note: The President spoke at 3:34 p.m. in the East Room at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to Charlie Lyons, chairman, and Joe
    Sakic, center, Colorado Avalanche.

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