It's Been Some Ride For Adam Foote

DENVER (CBS4) - It's the end of a great career, and of a great chapter in Colorado Avalanche history.

Adam Foote, the last of the original Avalanche players who is still active in the NHL, is retiring after a storied 19 year career.

The defenseman took part in a farewell news conference Friday morning, and was very upbeat describing how much hockey and the fans have meant to him.

"I bled burgundy and blue, and I think it's great that I can retire today in an Avs uniform," Foote said.

Foote played more than 960 games for the Avalanche and the Quebec Nordiques, second only to Joe Sakic for games played in franchise history.

He was a member of the Avalanches two Stanley Cup teams and also won a gold medal for Canada, his home country, in 2002.

Foote currently has a minor leg injury but he's hoping to play this weekend in the team's season finale. The team has been going through a major slump since the All Star break.

"Although the last two months have been tough on this team and our fans and we have gone through some struggles as a young group and with our injuries, I did enjoy my last season as an NHL player," he said.