By the Numbers: How Adam Foote Turned #52 into a Colorado Avalanche Icon
In the NHL, some jersey numbers come preloaded with history. Others have to earn it. Number “52” falls squarely into the second category—and Adam Foote is the reason it matters. When Foote pulled on that sweater with the Quebec Nordiques and later the Colorado Avalanche, he turned an uncommon number into a familiar sight, one fans came to associate with reliability, toughness, and winning hockey.
Built for the Long Haul
Adam Foote didn’t carve out his career with flash or flair. He did it the hard way. Over 19 NHL seasons, Foote played 1,154 regular-season games and finished with 308 career points. No one, however, ever judged his impact by the scoresheet. Foote was a defenseman who embraced the grind. His more than 1,500 penalty minutes weren’t about losing control; they were about standing his ground and setting a tone. Every team needs players willing to do the uncomfortable work. Foote made a career out of it.
When It Mattered Most
If you want to understand why number “52” means something in Colorado, look at the post-season. Foote played in 170 playoff games and earned 42 points (7 goals, 35 assists). He was a key piece of the Avalanche teams that won the Stanley Cup in 1996 and 2001, providing stability on the blue line while stars up front grabbed headlines. Coaches leaned on Adam Foote because they knew what they were getting every night: calm decisions, physical play, and zero panic.
Cool Fact: In March 2012, the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds retired Adam Foote’s number “5”.
Leading Without Noise
As his NHL career moved along, Foote became a leader in the most natural way possible. He served as team captain (following the retirement of Joe Sakic), guiding younger players by example rather than speeches. His approach never changed—show up prepared, compete honestly, and take responsibility. That same trust followed him to the international stage, where he represented Canada multiple times, including earning an Olympic gold medal.
52: A Number That Stuck
In 2013, the Avalanche retired number “52”, making Foote the first player in NHL history to have a number in the 50s raised to the rafters by an organization. Throughout his career, Adam Foote didn’t chase legacy. He built it. And because of him, number “52” will always mean something special in Colorado.