Avalanche Notebook: Darren Helm Retires

All quiet since July 1 on signings front

Darren Helm, I wrote weeks ago, would retire this summer. That became official today. The 16-year veteran will always hold a warm spot in the hearts of Avs fans because of this goal last spring:

Really, it should go down as one of the greatest goals in Avalanche history. Remember: the Avs blew a potentially clinching Game 5 at home to the Blues, and even some players have said, after the fact, that they were starting to worry about the “second-round jinx” thing again.

But, it’s as if the Avs said “Eff it” and just played to win, and stopped thinking so much by that point (I wonder who suggested that mindset?) and they did it. Helm’s goal, offer an Erik Johnson pass off the boards, sent the Avs to the Western Conference finals, where they swept the Edmonton Oilers. A Stanley Cup ring wasn’t far away by that point.

Helm tried to play last season, but was injured most of the full season. He retires as a two-time Cup champ.

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