Rob Blake

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Blake's arrival in Denver marked a turning point after an 11-season stint with Los Angeles. He made an instant impact, contributing 59 points in just 67 regular-season games to secure a spot on the NHL Second All-Star Team. In the 2001–02 season, he recorded his highest total with the Avalanche at 56 points in 75 games, finishing third among all NHL defensemen. Despite this offensive surge, Colorado fell in the Western Conference finals to the Detroit Red Wings. Blake continued his dominance through the 2003–04 campaign, being selected as a starter for the All-Star Game in Saint Paul and placing ninth among league defensemen with 46 points. He remained a constant presence until the 2005–06 season, where he reached his 200th career NHL goal on April 3 against the Chicago Blackhawks, becoming only the 17th defenseman ever to reach that mark.

In Their Own Story

On February 21, 2001, with Blake declining a new contract and facing unrestricted free agency, the Kings traded him alongside Steven Reinprecht to Colorado for Adam Deadmarsh, Aaron Miller, Jared Aulin, and a first-round pick. The move paid off instantly; in the playoffs, Blake faced his former team in a second-round series before guiding the Avalanche to their 2001 Stanley Cup victory. He added 19 points in those 23 playoff games. During the 2002–03 season, on October 29 against the Minnesota Wild, Blake recorded his 500th career point. His tenure ended after the lockout-shortened 2004–05 season, but he returned for one final year under contract in 2005–06, scoring 51 points in 81 games to mark his seventh time surpassing the 50-point plateau before leaving as a free agent.

Reader's Guide

Blake's statistical output with Colorado was elite. He recorded 59 points in 67 games during the 2000–01 regular season, earning an NHL Second All-Star Team selection. The following year, he peaked at 56 points in 75 games (2001–02), ranking third among all defensemen. In 2003, he placed fifth in Norris Trophy voting while recording 45 points in 79 games. He maintained this high level through the 2003–04 season with 46 points and his final full contract year (2005–06) saw him collect 51 points in 81 games. Beyond scoring, Blake achieved a historic milestone on April 3, 2006, when he scored his 200th career goal against the Chicago Blackhawks. His playoff performance was equally critical, with 19 points in 23 games during the championship run.

Did You Know?

• Blake scored his 200th career NHL goal on April 3, 2006, against the Chicago Blackhawks, becoming just the 17th defenseman all-time to reach that mark.
• He was traded from the Kings to the Avalanche on February 21, 2001, and scored 10 points in his final 13 regular-season games with Colorado before winning the Stanley Cup.
• Blake played a second-round playoff series against his former club, the Los Angeles Kings, during the 2001 postseason.
• He recorded his highest point total with the Avalanche (56 points) in the 2001–02 season, finishing third among all NHL defensemen.
• Blake played for Canada in three consecutive Winter Olympics (1998, 2002, 2006), winning gold in 2002 and becoming the 11th member of the Triple Gold Club.