Matt Duchene fondly reflects on Avalanche tenure

Dallas Stars forward Matt Duchene ended the Colorado Avalanche's season by scoring the Game 6 winner in double overtime. With it, the Stars are heading back to the Western Conference Final and will face either the Vancouver Canucks or Edmonton Oilers.

Duchene, 33, is certainly a player the Avalanche know well. He was selected by the club as the third-overall pick of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft and spent nine seasons in Colorado before being dealt to the Ottawa Senators in 2017-18.

Because of his history with the Avalanche, TNT's Anson Carter was asked if it was "extra special" for Duchene to knock out the Avalanche. The veteran forward responded by demonstrating immense class to his former club.

"You know what. I have a lot of fond memories of being an Av. They were my favorite team growing up, and it was an absolute honor to be here. It was one of the hardest things I ever had to do to kind of ask out. We were kind of at a crossroads, and they turned it around really quick, and I was really happy for them when they won."

Duchene also discussed how seeing them win was hard for him at the same time.

"It was tough at the same time. It was a little bittersweet, for sure. They swept us in the first round and went on to win. That's tough. Maybe wonder, had I stayed, if you know, I would have won."

Duchene then ended his interview with more love for the Avalanche organization.

"It's kind of fitting, I guess, that things went the way they did last night. In a barn, in a place that meant a lot to me. My wife's from here, and I have a lot of friends and now family that are from here. I have nothing but fond memories as an Av and nothing but good feelings towards them."

While things were a bit rocky at the end of his time with the Avalanche, it is nice to see Duchene still possess such high respect for them. The skilled forward will now look to help the Stars win their first Stanley Cup since 1999 from here.

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