Shut the front door.  Peter Forsberg will play tonight when the Avalanche take on the Blue Jackets.  If you were me, and it was any year before 2005, you would be freaking out right now. ACES!

When I first moved to the west coast and experienced the annoying concept of time zones and TV schedules, the Avs became my adopted team. Of course, it was 2001 and they were kicking serious ass (all the way to the Cup).  Forsberg, Sakic, Foote, Tanguay, Roy.  And fresh out of Boston, Chris Drury and Ray Bourque! That was a good year.

Forsberg consistently rocked one of the best hair/beard combinations in hockey history.  More than that, he was (is?) the most incredible passer.  Watching him was like watching a dancer or an artist… maybe like watching Gretzky back in the day.  He could skate and score but he saw the ice in a way that no one else did.  And then he’d throw a check and knock you out.  He’s widely considered the most “complete” player in NHL history (say Wikipedia and I).

He’s won 2 Cups, 2 World Championships and 2 Olympic gold medals.  He’s got a career rating of +242.  Forsberg ranks tenth all-time in career points-per-game and fourth all-time in career assists-per-game.  In 1994, Forsberg scored the Olympic gold medal game-winning goal in a shootout against Canada.  Sweden famously put him on a stamp.

Plagued by injuries, Forsberg racked up his impressive totals in 13 NHL seasons.  Once forced to miss an entire regular season after having his spleen removed, he came back to lead the playoffs in scoring (’01-’02).  Beast.  He’s now 37 years old and his contract with Colorado goes through the end of this year.  He will likely play on a line with Milan Hejduk (34) and Matt Duchene (only 20).

A big WUYS welcome back to Peter Forsberg. Just when we were feeling old, you’re showing us how it’s done.