The Quebec Nordiques in Canadian English; literally translated “Quebec City Northmen” or “Northerners”) were a Canadian professional ice hockey team based in Quebec City, Quebec. The Nordiques played in the World Hockey Association (1972 – 1979) and the National Hockey League (1979 – 1995). The franchise was relocated to Denver, Colorado, in 1995, and renamed the Colorado Avalanche.

Established
1972

City
Quebec City – Denver

League History
1980 – Present / National Hockey League
1972 – 1979 / World Hockey Association

Team History
1995 – Present / Colorado Avalanche
1972 – 1995 / Quebec Nordiques

Nickname
Nordiques  – They were named the Nordiques because they were one of the northernmost teams in professional sports in North America.

Championship
Stanley Cup  0
2001, 1996
Avco Cup  1
1977

Arena
1999 – Present / Pepsi Center
1995 – 1999 / McNichols Sports Arena

*Quebec*
1972 – 1995 / Colisée de Québec

Owner
2014 – Present / Ann Walton Kroenke
2000 – 2014 / E. Stanley Kroenke
1995 – 2000 / Charlie Lyons
1990 – 1995 / Marcel Aubut
1978 – 1990 / Carling – O’Keefe Brewery
1972 – 1978 / Quebec Remparts

Retired Number
3 J. C. Tremblay*
8 Marc Tardif*
16 Michel Goulet*
19 Joe Sakic
21 Peter Forsberg
26 Peter Stastny*
99 Wayne Gretzky

*Only retired by the Nordiques

Mascot
2009 – Present / Bernie the St. Bernard
1995 / Howler the Yeti

*Blue is this team’s history