| Smyth, Hannan Arrive In Denver Colorado Avalanche Jul 2, 2007, 8:13 PM EDT Avalanche newcomers Scott Hannan and Ryan Smyth arrived in Denver on Monday. They met with local media and put on their Avalanche sweaters for the first time. Below is a transcript of the press conference HANNAN, SMYTH PRESS CONFERENCE Monday, July 2, 2007 Pepsi Center, Denver, CO |
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| OPENING STATEMENTS.... Francois Giguere: "Good afternoon everyone. Let me start this event by welcoming Ryan's wife, Stacey, and Scott's fiancee Kristina to this unbelievable community and tremendous hockey market. Just a few weeks after the season ended, I met with our hockey staff in order to identify our needs as we moved forward. The final stretch of the season was very exciting and promising and we wanted to build off of that. I am here today to introduce two new key individualsto our team who were on the top of our priority list. These two athletes, who are both in the prime years of their careers, will add a mix of elements which will definitely put the Colorado Avalanche as Stanley Cup contenders for many years to come. These signings reinforce the commitment to winning from our owner, Mr. Kroenke, and I am very excited to be sitting here with them. Ryan and Scott, welcome to the Avalanche family." Ryan Smyth: "Thank you. Obviously it's been a long and drawn out, emotional couple of weeks for my wife Stacey and my family. Obviously my two children back home, who couldn't be with us at this time. We're really excited and thrilled. I just want to thank the organization, the Colorado Avalanche, for having my family, myself. It's a great opportunity to play in a hockey-environment city here in Denver. We're really looking forward to going to another level and bringing back the Cup...as the fans here have tasted it before. Again, I just want to thank the organization for having me and Francois, we thank you for everything that's gone on." Scott Hannan: "It's been an exciting couple of days. Colorado really took it to the next level, treating me and Kristina with a lot of respect. I just want to thank them. It's a great community, a great organization. I battled with them over the years but I look forward to playing on a Stanley Cup contender." QUESTIONS... Question - Welcome to Colorado. Aside from finances, can both you guys talk about the main reason why you wanted to come to Colorado? Hannan: "I think a big thing for me was the team's dedication to winning. I had a long conversation with Tony Granato, who I know well, Francois, their commitment to winning, obviously. I know Joe (Sakic), playing with him at the World Cup, and being a great leader that he is. And being able to play with him on a team...those were the biggest things. The commitment to winning, the organization and their professionalism. That's some of the biggest reasons." Smyth: "To reiterate what (Hannan) said. Joe Sakic, future Hall of Famer. The guy has won, he knows what it takes to win. He's the backbone of this team and the organization. He had an influence on my family and myself coming this way. Talking with Francois on the phone yesterday, it was great. The environment here, it's a hockey environment. I came from Edmonton, obviously the environment there was electrifying. We've had our battles over the years (Oilers vs. Avalanche). I'm just blessed to be a part of this organization. We're really thrilled to strive for another level and that's winning the Stanley Cup...and we want to be a big part of it." Question - Both of you guys saw this team on the ice extensively last year. Is this a Stanley Cup team now, with the additon of you two? Smyth: (Laughs) "That's what happens back in June...you have to play the whole year for it. I think we're adding extra pieces to the puzzle that we want to be a factor and contribute. Obviously that's why they acquired us. Hindsight's 20-20, so we'll find out." Hannan: "I think at the beginning of the year, I watched this team a lot. It came down to the wire there at the end. The way they played and the competition they showed at the end of the season. They won a lot of games towards the end and really made a strive towards the playoffs at the end. I look forward to that and seeing that. Coming here and hopefully adding what we can add. They know what we can bring to a hockey team and I hope we can bring that and more. Hopefully we'll be able to do that." |