‘More titles than anybody’: Denver is the new Hockeytown, USA

DENVER — It’s protected to say Denver is a hockey city. However, it’s additionally no exaggeration to say Denver would possibly simply be the brand new title holder for Hockeytown, USA – with not one title, not two, not even three, however 4 championships this yr.

The Colorado Avalanche introduced dwelling the Stanley Cup Sunday night time, sealing the deal on probably the most dominating Stanley Cup Playoff performances of all-time.

The workforce’s win additionally sealed the Metropolis of Denver’s destiny as the brand new Hockeytown, USA, a minimum of in 2022.

Along with the Avs title, the College of Denver gained the 2022 NCAA Nationwide Championship, netting DU a record-tying ninth NCAA title for one faculty.

The Denver East Excessive Angels skated their means into hockey historical past by profitable the 2022 Colorado state championship then occurring to win the highschool nationwide championship in Dallas.

“Within the championship sport, we have been behind the entire sport after which scored within the third after which went forward within the third,” mentioned East Excessive coach John Kopperud. “After which Nick Chadd, there, acquired the empty netter to seal the deal.”

“It was superior enjoying hockey this yr,” mentioned Nick Chadd. “Particularly with all of the followers and neighborhood popping out and gathering round us.”

The gamers say the state championship at Ball Area was the perfect a part of the season.

“That sport was the good sport of my life,” mentioned Colorado Excessive College Actions Affiliation’s 2022 Participant of the 12 months for hockey, East Excessive defenseman Joseph Capra.

“I wasn’t nervous, after which took like one stride,” mentioned defenseman Zeke Romero. “Walked out and every part’s shaking. I used to be anticipating a great quantity of individuals, after which I stroll out and it’s a sea of crimson.”

“Strolling out of the tunnel, I knew we’d have good crowd,” Capra mentioned. “I took three strides onto the ice, regarded up in stands and it was full of crimson. It was simply unbelievable.”

For the College of Denver Pioneers, the ninth title at school historical past punctuates unprecedented success.

“It’s why I got here right here to Denver,” mentioned DU ahead Cameron Wright. “Got here to win hockey video games and win nationwide tournaments.”

“Large Avs fan, yeah,” Capra mentioned.

“Final night time, our group chat was blowing up,” Chadd mentioned. “Celebrating just a little bit.”

“It was fairly surreal,” Capra mentioned. “I didn’t cease smiling for about two hours.”

It is becoming that East Excessive sits proper off of Detroit Road, a metropolis that sometimes takes the title of Hockeytown, USA.

“Denver’s Hockeytown proper now,” Capra mentioned. “Hockeytown, USA.”

“Now, it’s most positively Denver,” mentioned Kopperud. “Extra titles than anyone this yr, so it’s Denver. No query.”

There was even a fourth title this yr.

The Avs pee-wee hockey workforce, the Littleton Hawks, raised their very own model of the Stanley Cup after profitable the Quebec Worldwide Match again in Could. The youngsters even stormed the ice after the win.

So, sure, it’s protected to say the Mile Excessive Metropolis has added a brand new nickname, stolen from the higher Midwest —Hockeytown, USA.