The Colorado Avalanche would have never been able to win the 1996 Stanley Cup had it not been for the groundwork laid by the Quebec Nordiques.
The story behind the Quebec Nordiques moving from Canada to Colorado to become the Avalanche is well-documented.
The Nordiques had run into serious financial trouble, leaving the team’s ownership group, represented by Marcel Aubut, with no choice but to sell the franchise, which then relocated to Colorado.