Islanders and Avalanche Face Off with Nostalgia

DENVER — Brock Nelson, like many who’ve watched the Islanders lately, found himself doing a double-take while viewing highlights from this season. Spotting the player in blue and orange wearing number 29 was a moment of confusion.

“I guess I’m just wired to see 29 and think of myself,” shared the Islanders’ number 11, who used to play for Colorado, before his new team took on the Islanders, winning 4-1. “It feels kind of odd.”

This year, Jonathan Drouin dons the No. 29 jersey. Interestingly, he reached out to Nelson for permission to wear that number before joining the team. Drouin, like Nelson, was also up against his former squad on Sunday after spending two seasons with the Avalanche before signing with the Islanders as a free agent during the last offseason.

“It’s a strange feeling,” Drouin commented. “You’re aware of all the players, their styles, their quirks. But when the game starts, the goal is to win, of course.”

The connection between the Islanders and the Avalanche goes deeper. Cal Ritchie, who came back to the Islanders in the trade involving Nelson, made his NHL debut with the Avalanche last season. Interestingly, he managed to score his only goal against the Islanders and participated in seven games before Colorado returned him to junior hockey. Additionally, Isles assistant coach Ray Bennett spent eight seasons in Colorado, contributing to the team that nabbed the Stanley Cup in 2022, yet he was let go after last season’s playoff exit.

It’s worth noting Patrick Roy’s No. 33 is also a lasting presence at Ball Center.

“It’s a little odd for me since I never got traded during my junior career,” Ritchie acknowledged. “Coming back here feels different.”

Nelson was in high spirits by the end of the game, having scored Colorado’s last goal with just 15 seconds remaining on a tip from Brent Burns.

Amidst the nostalgia, Roy received the warmest welcome of the trio returning, as the Avalanche honored him with a video tribute followed by enthusiastic applause from the crowd.

“It means a lot,” Roy said, reflecting on the reception. “Seeing that kind of reaction is really rewarding.”

Max Shabanov made his return after an upper-body injury, joining the fourth line alongside Casey Cizikas and Cal Ritchie, as Max Tsyplakov was taken out of the lineup to accommodate him.

Scott Mayfield also rejoined his team after a brief absence due to his wife going into labor. He shared that both his wife and baby son, Theodore, are home and doing well.