Eurolanche

End of an era

The last active Quebec Nordiques player has called it a career. Martin Rucinsky has officially announced his retirement last Thursday. The 44-year-old spent the 2014-15 season playing for HC Litvinov in his native Czech Republic, appearing in 51 games and recording 54 points, while also being named MVP of the Czech Extraliga. Playing a key role, Rucinsky helped his side win the championship, thus ending his career in high fashion. Not only did Rucinsky's retirement mean an end to a storied career, but it also marked an end to a chapter in the great book of hockey. Rucinsky became a Nordiques player during the 1991-92 season, after he was acquired via trade from the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for Ron Tugnutt and Brad Zavisha.

Rucinsky was the last active player to have played for the Quebec Nordiques

The Czech forward played a total of 161 games for Quebec, recording 31 goals and 60 assists. After the franchise’s relocation to Denver, Rucinsky appeared in 22 games during the Avalanche’s inaugural season, recording 4 goals and 11 assists. His tenure in Colorado ended December 6, 1995, after he became part of arguably the most important trade in Avalanche history. Along with Andrei Kovalenko and Jocelyn Thibault, Rucinsky was traded to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for Mike Keane and current head-coach Patrick Roy. The 2007-08 season, in which he played for the St. Louis Blues, was his last season in the NHL. After that, Rucinsky went back home to play hockey in the top-tier Czech league. Rucinsky has appeared in 961 NHL games, recording 612 career points. He’s also won three World Championships and won Olympic gold in Nagano and bronze in Torino.

Rucinsky was part of the deal that brought Patrick Roy to Denver