Last weekend, 43° Sports had the privilege of sponsoring the inaugural Colorado Alumni Faceoff Benefit Game: Avalanche Alumni versus DU Pioneers Alumni at Magness Arena a moment that was equal parts dream and honor for the longtime Avs fans at 43° Sports. The event, held August 24, 2025, drew a packed house and will now become an annual tradition we’re thrilled to be part of.
The Legendary Lineup
The rosters read like a highlight reel of Colorado hockey history.
Avalanche Alumni included icons such as Peter Forsberg, Milan Hejduk, Joe Sakic (coaching), Adam Foote, Pierre Turgeon, Michel Goulet, and Eric Lacroix.
- Highlights on the scoreboard included a pair of goals from John-Michael Liles, along with tallies by Hejduk, Peter Mueller, Andrew Cogliano, Darren Helm, and Dan Hinote.
- The DU Pioneers Alumni featured standout talent like Scott Mayfield, Troy Terry, Dylan Gambrell, Tyler Bozak, Rhett Rakhshani, Drew Shore, Jack Devine, and goaltender Matt Davis, along with others such as Mark Rycroft and Aaron MacKenzie, who have ties to both programs.
Goaltender Matt Davis made memorable saves including denying Forsberg several times, including a breakaway and shining alongside Max Lacroix in a shootout that ultimately saw the Pioneers edge out an 8–7 win.
It was also a showcase of Colorado hockey pride: Hall of Famers reunited, current players like Gabriel Landeskog, Devon Toews, and DU alum Logan O’Connor present, and the whole event powered by community support and nonprofit giving.
The Electric Pregame Festival
The action started long before puck drop. Outside Magness Arena, the pregame festival was electric, drawing thousands of fans for autograph signings, photos with Bernie the St. Bernard, live music, and plenty of great food. The buzz of anticipation created the perfect backdrop for alumni stars to reconnect with fans and for everyone to celebrate the spirit of Colorado hockey together and to officially kick off the 2025-2026 hockey season!
At the 43° Sports Booth
Inside the arena, just past the main doors, the 43° Sports booth was in full swing. We welcomed fans before the game, throughout the action, and even as the building emptied afterward. Our space became a hub of curiosity and conversation, where fans learned how the 43° Sports temperature-controlled hockey bag combats odor, bacteria, and health risks by drying gear safely and efficiently.
It was an opportunity to connect with skaters and enthusiasts alike, answer questions, and demonstrate how our bag’s tech protects both gear and players’ well-being just like the Hall-of-Famers on the ice. Especially fun moments came when fans found out that Milan Hejduk, a longtime user of our bag and a friend of 43° Sports, was on the roster and still looked as sharp on the ice as ever.
Oh and we even got a visit from the legendary BERNIE!
Why the 43° Sports Bag is as Legendary as the Players
Our mission is simple: deliver gear care that’s as dependable and elite as the legends who inspire it. The 43° Sports hockey bag brings professional grade technology off the bench to your equipment, drying gear rapidly while safeguarding it from microbial threats and foul smells.
At Magness Arena, our booth showed just how essential gear maintenance is not just for comfort, but for health and performance. Just plug the bag in, flip the switch, and let us do the dirty work for you, killing up to 96% of harmful and odor causing bacteria and always have fresh and dry gear that never smells.
Closing Thoughts
This inaugural event wasn’t just a game, it was a celebration of Colorado hockey’s legacy, community spirit, and the importance of innovation in sport. We are honored to have been part of it and especially moved by the enthusiastic embrace from fans and alumni alike.
Here’s to making this a permanent fixture on the calendar and to keeping gear dry, fresh, and Hall-of-Fame worthy with 43° Sports.
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