Colorado Rockies (NHL)
| Company type | Professional ice hockey team (NHL franchise) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Sports |
| Predecessor | Kansas City Scouts |
| Founded | 1976 |
| Defunct | 1982 |
| Fate | Relocated and renamed as New Jersey Devils |
| Headquarters | Denver , United States |
Area served | Denver metropolitan area |
Key people | Jack Vickers (owner), Arthur Imperatore Sr. (owner), Peter Gilbert (owner), John McMullen (owner), Don Cherry (head coach) |
| Products | Ice hockey team |
| Parent | National Hockey League |
The Colorado Rockies were an NHL franchise located in Denver between 1976 and 1982. Initially established as the Kansas City Scouts, an expansion team that debuted in the 1974–75 NHL season, the franchise shifted from Kansas City, Missouri, to Denver ahead of the 1976–77 NHL season. After spending six seasons in Denver, the organization relocated to East Rutherford, New Jersey and became known as the New Jersey Devils in 1982. Denver did not have an NHL presence again until the Quebec Nordiques moved there and rebranded as the Colorado Avalanche after the 1994–95 NHL season. It is important to note that the unrelated MLB expansion team bearing the same name, Colorado Rockies, commenced play in Denver in 1993.
History
Ivan Mullenix, who owned the Denver Spurs of the Central Hockey League, was granted a "conditional" NHL franchise set to begin in the 1976–77 season. With McNichols Sports Arena completed by 1975, Mullenix aimed to expedite entry into the NHL. The league pursued a strategy wherein Mullenix would purchase the struggling California Golden Seals and relocate them to Denver instead of launching a new expansion team. Concurrently, ownership of the Pittsburgh Penguins was to transfer to a Seattle-based group holding a conditional franchise for that market.
This plan ultimately collapsed, and due to ongoing franchise complications, the NHL canceled its 1976–77 expansion efforts. Subsequently, the Spurs joined the World Hockey Association (WHA) for the 1975–76 season; however, local fans largely dismissed the WHA as a major league alternative. By December, speculation about relocating either the Seals or Kansas City Scouts to Denver prompted Mullenix to move the Spurs mid-season to Ottawa, renaming them the Ottawa Civics—yet this team folded after only two weeks.
At the same time, despite having joined the NHL just two years earlier, the Scouts were on the brink of failure. Their 12-win campaign in 1975–76 was disappointing but still better than that of fellow expansion team Washington Capitals. While Capitals owner Abe Pollin had stronger financial backing and patience, the Scouts’ ownership group of 37 partners struggled amid economic challenges in the Midwest. Burdened by nearly $1 million in debt and poor attendance figures, Scouts’ owners sold their franchise to a Denver consortium led by Jack Vickers. The team relocated to Denver as the Colorado Rockies, remained part of the Smythe Division within the Campbell Conference, and kept their blue, red, and gold color scheme inspired by Colorado’s state flag.
Ongoing difficulties
Even after moving and rebranding, the Rockies continued facing challenges both on and off the ice. Over their six-year tenure, they qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs only once—in 1977–78—finishing with one of hockey’s poorest records at 21 games below .500. Nevertheless, due to a weak Smythe Division, they secured second place behind the Chicago Black Hawks and clinched a playoff berth by narrowly surpassing the Vancouver Canucks. Their postseason run was short-lived as they were swept in two games by the Philadelphia Flyers. The 1977–78 campaign marked their sole close approach to postseason success.
The Rockies briefly showcased notable talent: Barry Beck set a rookie record for goals by a defenseman; Hall of Famer Lanny McDonald arrived through a trade with Toronto; other key players included Chico Resch, Wilf Paiement, Rene Robert, Rob Ramage, and Bobby Schmautz. However, persistent roster depth issues and frequent trades that depleted quality players undermined their competitiveness. Organizational instability was evident with seven head coaches across four years—none completing an entire season—and ownership changed hands twice during this period. Despite on-ice struggles and off-ice upheaval, attendance figures remained relatively stable throughout their existence.
Tenure of Don Cherry
A significant chapter in the team's timeline unfolded during the 1979–80 season when former Jack Adams Award recipient Don Cherry took over as head coach following his departure from the Boston Bruins. Cherry popularized the slogan "Come to the fights and watch a Rockies game break out!" which was prominently displayed on billboards throughout Denver that year.
Although Cherry was known for his ability to inspire players, he frequently disagreed with general manager Ray Miron, especially regarding goaltender choices. Miron insisted on keeping Hardy Astrom, whom Cherry disparagingly nicknamed "The Swedish Sieve." The Rockies concluded the season with 51 points, tying for the poorest record in the league. Nevertheless, average attendance reached 9,787—the highest in franchise history. In their closing home game, Cherry’s squad secured a 5–0 victory over the Penguins. Anticipating his departure, Cherry donned a cowboy hat and boots for his final NHL appearance, receiving a heartfelt sendoff from both teammates and supporters.
Relocation to New Jersey
Following the collapse of owner Vickers' petroleum enterprise in 1978, financial difficulties worsened, rendering him unable to fulfill the McNichols Arena lease obligations. Under this arrangement, the Rockies did not receive income from parking, concessions, or advertising. On July 12, 1978, Vickers sold the franchise to Arthur Imperatore Sr., who planned to temporarily keep the team in Denver before moving it to the Meadowlands Sports Complex in New Jersey upon its anticipated 1980 completion. This announcement alienated a significant portion of Denver’s fanbase.
Prior to finalizing the relocation, Imperatore transferred ownership to Buffalo cable executive Peter Gilbert; this transaction received unanimous approval from the NHL Board of Governors on February 10, 1981. Gilbert committed to retaining the franchise in Denver, with league president John Ziegler Jr. expressing hopes of transforming the Rockies into a model organization.
By 1982, persistent financial woes prompted another sale attempt, including an unsuccessful proposal from an Ottawa consortium aiming either to relocate or merge the team with the Capitals. Eventually, New Jersey shipping magnate John McMullen—also owner of Major League Baseball’s Houston Astros—acquired the franchise in May. McMullen announced bold intentions focused on moving the team to New Jersey. Consequently, for the 1982–83 NHL season, the club relocated and was rebranded as the New Jersey Devils.
Enduring Impact
Aaron Broten was the last player from the Rockies era remaining on the New Jersey Devils' active roster before being traded to the Minnesota North Stars on January 5, 1990. The final NHL player with Rockies experience was Joe Cirella, who retired following the 1995–96 NHL season while playing for the Ottawa Senators. That same season marked hockey’s return to Denver when the Quebec Nordiques moved and became known as the Colorado Avalanche. Although Rockies draft pick Bruce Driver continued his NHL career until 1998, he did so exclusively after relocating with the team to New Jersey.
Former Rockies players Paul Gagne and Rich Chernomaz extended their professional careers overseas until 1999.
The 2001 Stanley Cup Finals featured a showdown between Colorado’s former and current NHL teams, culminating in a seven-game series won by the Avalanche over the Devils.
The Rockies were trailblazers in introducing Gary Glitter's "Rock and Roll, Part 2" as goal celebration music—a tradition later embraced by numerous NHL and other sports teams. However, due to Glitter's criminal history, many organizations have distanced themselves from this song in recent times.
The original Rockies emblem—a mountain peak incorporating Colorado's flag silhouette—inspired elements of the Avalanche’s secondary logo featured on their 2015–16 third jerseys and appeared on their shoulders during the 2016 Stadium Series. During the 2022–23 NHL season, both Colorado Avalanche and New Jersey Devils sported "Reverse Retro" uniforms showcasing the red, gold, and blue color scheme originally associated with the Rockies.
Season-by-season performance
Over their tenure, the Rockies amassed a regular season record of 113 wins, 281 losses, and 86 ties. They qualified for the playoffs on a single occasion, finishing with a series record of 0–2.
Hall of Fame inductees
- Lanny McDonald, Right Wing, 1979–1981
Team captains
This roster excludes those who served as captains for the Kansas City Scouts.
- Simon Nolet, 1976–1977
- Wilf Paiement, 1977–1978
- Gary Croteau, 1978–1979
- Mike Christie, Rene Robert, and Lanny McDonald, 1979–1980
- Lanny McDonald, 1980–1981
- Lanny McDonald and Rob Ramage, 1981–1982
Head coaches
Not including coaches from the Kansas City Scouts:
- Johnny Wilson, 1976–1977
- Pat Kelly, 1977–1978
- Aldo Guidolin, 1978–1979
- Don Cherry, 1979–1980
- Billy MacMillan, 1980–1981
- Bert Marshall, 1981
- Marshall Johnston, 1981–1982
General managers
- Ray Miron, 1976–1981
- Billy MacMillan, 1981–1982
First-round draft selections
Excluding picks made by the Kansas City Scouts:
- 1977: Barry Beck (second overall)
- 1978: Mike Gillis (fifth overall)
- 1979: Rob Ramage (first overall)
- 1980: Paul Gagne (19th overall)
- 1981: Joe Cirella (fifth overall)
Individual achievements
- Highest goals scored in a single season – Wilf Paiement, 41 (1976–77)
- Highest assists recorded in one season – Wilf Paiement, 56 (1977–78)
- Most points accumulated during a season – Wilf Paiement, 87 (1977–78)
- Most penalty minutes in one season – Rob Ramage, 201 (1981–82)
- Defenseman with most points in a season – Barry Beck, 60 (1977–78)
- Rookie with highest points in a season – Barry Beck, 60 (1977–78)
- Greatest number of wins by a goaltender in a season – Chico Resch, 16 (1981–82)
Broadcasting
Throughout the Rockies’ existence, over-the-air television coverage was provided by KWGN 2. From 1976 until 1979, play-by-play duties for both radio and TV simulcasts were handled by Joe Starkey, with secondary play-by-play support from Don Earle during the 1977–78 season. Beginning with the 1979–80 campaign and continuing through their final year in Colorado, Norm Jones took on play-by-play responsibilities for both radio and television broadcasts. Radio color commentary was delivered by Ralph Backstrom (1979–80), Jack Jolly (1980–81), and Sandy Clough (1981–82, limited to home games). Television color analysis alongside Jones was provided by Jim Conrad from 1979 through to the team's conclusion in Colorado.