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A player Andreychuk brings multi-faceted career to Avs
Posted: Monday April 24, 2000 08:41 PM
DENVER (AP) -- When Colorado got defenseman Ray Bourque from the Boston Bruins in a five-player deal last month, few people took notice of another Bruin who went west to the Avalanche, Dave Andreychuk. "You have to be kidding," Colorado captain Joe Sakic said. "There is no question what Ray Bourque brings to a hockey club, but the same can be said for Dave Andreychuk." Andreychuk and Colorado went through an hour skate on Monday awaiting the outcome of the San Jose-St. Louis series to determine their second-round opponent. If St. Louis wins Game 7 Tuesday, the Avalanche will open their next series on the road against Dallas. A San Jose victory means they will host Detroit. Although Andreychuk delivered only a goal and two assists in 14 regular season games with the Avalanche, Bourque, the key element in the deal, sees the benefits going well beyond those numbers. "Dave is a guy who can do so much for you," Bourque said. "He will kill penalties, contribute on the power play, take a big faceoff in your end and score the big goal." "He does so many things and you only have to look at his numbers," Bourque said. "He has scored over 550 goals, but a lot of the other things that he does and brings to the rink are very special." Andreychuk, 37, has 552 goals and 1,156 assists in an 18-year career. He has an additional 37 goals and 35 assists in playoff games and had two goals and an assist in Colorado's 4-1 first-round series victory over Phoenix. "You want to step up your game in the playoffs," said Andreychuk, who has been with a playoff team in 12 of his last 13 seasons. "I think we all have to do that if we are going to be successful because everybody else in the league is doing that." "It is a time of the year that is do or die," Andreychuk said. "This is our living. This is what we play for and you want to play your best." With the San Jose-St. Louis series going the distance, Colorado has been forced to wait for the start of its next series. Andreychuk admitted to being anxious. "It is tough mentally," Andreychuk said "Sometimes it is tough to practice all week long to get ready for the game. Sometimes the guys get anxious." Andreychuk said he had no preference for Colorado's next opponent. He has 23 goals in his career against Dallas and 16 against Detroit. "Both teams have very good talent," Andreychuk said. "We have played well against Dallas in their building, but we will have to play either of them well to beat them."
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