The **Colorado Avalanche** is a professional ice hockey franchise based in Denver, competing in the NHL’s Western Conference, Central Division, and playing home games at **Ball Arena**, which it shares with the NBA’s Denver Nuggets and NLL’s Colorado Mammoth.[4] The team is owned by **Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE)**, with E. Stanley Kroenke as owner/chairman and Josh Kroenke serving as president, situating the club inside a broader global sports and media portfolio that includes major US and European teams and an emerging esports arm.[2][4] Founded in 1972 as the **Quebec Nordiques** in the World Hockey Association, the franchise joined the NHL in 1979 through the NHL–WHA merger.[1][3][4] After financial struggles in Quebec, COMSAT Entertainment Group relocated the team to Denver in 1995, rebranding it as the Colorado Avalanche.[1][3][4] The move immediately created a high‑value NHL property in a fast‑growing media market, leveraging Denver’s arena infrastructure and cross‑team synergies under KSE. On the ice, the Avalanche is one of the league’s elite modern-era brands, winning **three Stanley Cups** (1996, 2001, 2022).[2][3] The club’s early Colorado years were defined by stars **Joe Sakic, Peter Forsberg, Patrick Roy, and Adam Foote**, establishing a winning culture and strong regional fan base.[1][3][4] Under KSE, the organization has added **multiple division titles** and **two Presidents’ Trophies** (2001, 2021), reflecting sustained regular-season excellence.[2] Currently coached by **Jared Bednar** with **Chris MacFarland** as general manager, Colorado has been a consistent playoff team and division leader in recent seasons.[3][5][7]