To the Colorado Avalanche, my incredible fans and the entire NHL community, To the Colorado Avalanche, my incredible fans and the entire NHL community,
Today, I write with a heart full of thankfulness, reflection, and gratitude for a trip that has changed my life in ways I never could have imagined. Today, I write with a heart full of thankfulness, reflection, and gratitude for a trip that has changed my life in ways I never could have imagined. The experiences hockey has given me – unforgettable memories, amazing friendships and possibilities – are what every little child who dreams of frozen ponds wants. The experiences hockey has given me – unforgettable memories, amazing friendships and possibilities – are what every little child who dreams of frozen ponds wants. It wouldn’t have happened without the people and communities who’ve been with me every step of my career. It wouldn’t have happened without the people and communities who’ve been with me every step of my career.
Just want to thank the Colorado Avalanche organization for believing in me and allowing me to develop in one of the most prestigious hockey teams. Just want to thank the Colorado Avalanche organization for believing in me and allowing me to develop in one of the most prestigious hockey teams. As soon as I got here, I could feel the passion, the drive, the championship culture of this organization. As soon as I got here, I could feel the passion, the drive, the championship culture of this organization. “It’s one of the greatest privileges of my life to be able to represent this team and I wear this jersey with great pride and responsibility every time I take the ice. “It’s one of the greatest privileges of my life to be able to represent this team and I wear this jersey with great pride and responsibility every time I take the ice.
I want to thank my teammates, coaches, trainers and all of the employees that work behind the scenes to help me grow as a person and as a player. No one wins in hockey by themselves. The dedication and sacrifice of everyone around me made every practice, every playoff game, every win, every hard situation possible.
Fans, I cannot tell you how much your support has meant to me over the years of my career. Fans, I cannot tell you how much your support has meant to me over the years of my career. Every season, every obstacle, every special occasion, your enthusiasm and faith never faltered. Every season, every obstacle, every special occasion, your enthusiasm and faith never faltered. You’re at Ball Arena or you’re supporting us from all over the world and your enthusiasm keeps us going every night. You’re at Ball Arena or you’re supporting us from all over the world and your enthusiasm keeps us going every night. “I’ll never forget seeing the passion of Avalanche fans, the excitement of playoff hockey and the roar of the crowd after a goal. “I’ll never forget seeing the passion of Avalanche fans, the excitement of playoff hockey and the roar of the crowd after a goal.
Thank you to the entire NHL community for cultivating an environment that enables our players to keep growing, competing and inspiring through the game we all love. Thank you to the entire NHL community for cultivating an environment that enables our players to keep growing, competing and inspiring through the game we all love. Hockey is more than just a game, it is a global family and brotherhood joined in respect, passion and tenacity. Hockey is more than just a game, it is a global family and brotherhood joined in respect, passion and tenacity. “Playing against the best players in the world has taught me a lot, it’s made me want to improve every day and I have learned lots of things that go way beyond the rink. “Playing against the best players in the world has taught me a lot, it’s made me want to improve every day and I have learned lots of things that go way beyond the rink.
Thanks, too, to the younger players and fans who still have big dreams. Thanks, too, to the younger players and fans who still have big dreams. Hockey can build confidence, self-control, teamwork and stick-to-it-iveness. Hockey can build confidence, self-control, teamwork and stick-to-it-iveness. It would be a huge thing for me if my story inspired even one young person to live their dreams fearlessly. It would be a huge thing for me if my story inspired even one young person to live their dreams fearlessly.
As I walk down this path, I remain thankful for every second, every lesson learned, every bond formed. The love and support I have received from the Avalanche organization, the fans and the larger hockey community has been instrumental in shaping me into the person and player I am today.
Thank you for your support, for believing in me and for making the impossible dream come true.
Sincerely and with thanks,
Nathan MacKinnon
