Former Avalanche general manager Pierre Lacroix dies at 72

Former Avalanche general manager Pierre Lacroix has passed away, and Mike Evans says he was the “greatest general manager Denver has ever seen”

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Avalanche Statement on Pierre Lacroix

 DENVER – The Colorado Avalanche hockey team today released the following statement on the passing of former general manager and team president Pierre Lacroix.

It is with great sadness that the Colorado Avalanche organization has learned of the passing of Pierre Lacroix.  Pierre was the architect of the Avalanche’s two Stanley Cup championships, which included the city of Denver’s first major sports championship in 1996.  Pierre was instrumental in not only the team’s on-ice success but also building the Avalanche brand into what it is today. His legacy reaches far beyond the NHL level and his impact can be felt throughout all of youth hockey in the Rocky Mountain region.  Our thoughts are with the Lacroix family during this difficult time, his wife, Colombe, his sons Martin and Eric, and his three grandchildren.

 

 

Joe Sakic Executive Vice President & General Manager

“It is a sad day for the Avalanche organization and its fans.  Pierre was a visionary and a true leader.  From the moment he took over as GM, he established a winning culture that spread throughout the organization. As players, we knew he would do everything he could to help the team achieve that goal of hoisting the Stanley Cup.  Pierre was instrumental in not only building the Avalanche into a championship team but also in the growth of hockey in Colorado.  His footprint is everywhere in this hockey community.

“Pierre is someone I trusted very much right from the first time I met him.  I’ll always remember him as not only a great GM but an even better person.  He always treated everyone like family and he wanted us players to have that same mentality.  He was a great example to all of us.  Pierre was a mentor to me and someone I learned a lot about the business of hockey from. We as an organization and myself personally, will really miss him. On behalf of the Avalanche organization, we are sending our thoughts to Coco, Martin, Eric and the entire Lacroix family.”

 

 

E. Stanley Kroenke Owner/Chairman, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, LLC

“Pierre was truly a legend and one of the greatest executives in sports.  He had a ‘team first’ mentality that valued players and staff equally and his winning attitude was immediately evident to our family when we acquired the Avalanche in 2000.  Denver is considered one of the world’s towering sports cities and that would be impossible without Pierre’s many contributions, including leading the Avs to Colorado’s first major professional championship with the 1996 Stanley Cup title.

“Pierre had a unique zest for life that uplifted anyone who knew him.  He treated everyone like they were a part of his family and was always available to anyone who needed his guidance. We will miss him greatly. On behalf of my family, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment and the Avalanche organization, we extend our sincerest condolences to Coco, Martin and Eric, and Pierre’s three grandchildren.”