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Thursday 8 April, 1999
Tanguay signs three-year deal with Avalanche
Alex Tanguay had more than his share of hardships this season, but he finally got something he wanted Wednesday when he signed a three-year deal with the Colorado Avalanche.
The 19-year-old forward, who spent three seasons starring with the Halifax Mooseheads, leaves this morning to join Colorado's American Hockey League affiliate in Hershey, Pa.
"It's something I've been waiting for, for a long time," said Tanguay, who missed almost three months this season with a concussion. "I'm glad it's over with now.
"After the concussion, I was a little down and things didn't go quite as well as I wanted them to for the remainder of the season. I have to put it behind me. It's been a rough year, but now I have a contract and let's make sure I get back 100 per cent and I play as well as I can and get up in the bigs next year."
Tanguay wouldn't disclose the terms of the contract, nor would his agent, Don Meehan.
But a source familiar with the negotiations said Tanguay will earn $475,000 US, $550,000 and $600,000 over the three years. He will also receive a bonus of about $1.3 million spread over that period.
"It wasn't about money or anything," said Tanguay, who plans to buy something special for his parents, Gervais and Sylvie. "We felt they were being respectful by giving me an excellent contract - not the best contract and not the worst contract, but it's a contract I'm happy with.
"I love to play hockey. I don't think money has ever been an issue. I'm just glad the contract talks are over with."
Meehan negotiated for months with Colorado assistant general manager Francois Giguere and GM Pierre Lacroix.
He didn't know he had a deal until Wednesday afternoon.
"I don't know if I was ever able to say we got everything we wanted," said Meehan, regarded as one of the most influential people in hockey. "That's just not possible today, but all in all, I think on balance we're very happy."
The contract was a long time in coming.
Tanguay, a native of Ste-Justine, Que., thought he had achieved the hardest part last fall when he cracked the Avalanche's opening-day roster after scoring five goals and adding three assists in eight NHL exhibition games.
But his agent at the time, Kent Hughes, and Colorado were unable to get a contract in place by the Oct.7 deadline.
Tanguay, who fired Hughes less than a week later, then suffered a concussion on Oct.18 in his fifth game back with the Mooseheads.
The injury forced him to turn down his invitation to play with Canada for a second straight season at the world junior championship.
He returned to action Jan.8, after missing 28 games, and still finished with 61 points in 31 games with the Mooseheads.
"This young gentleman possesses all the skills and character to become a successful hockey player in the National Hockey League," Giguere said in a news release.
In joining Colorado, Tanguay officially becomes a part of the franchise he cheered for as a teenager before the Quebec Nordiques moved to Denver in 1995.
Colorado made the six-foot, 190-pound winger its first pick, 12th overall, last June.
"It's a great thing for the organization. I look forward to seeing him at camp next year," Colorado coach Bob Hartley said Wednesday.
Hershey has just five regular-season games remaining. It's also possible for Tanguay to join Colorado if called upon.
In Hershey, he'll play alongside former Chicoutimi Sagueneens star goalie Marc Denis and former Granby Bisons winger Christian Matte.
"I know I'm not going to play in Colorado this year. They played their season already with their team and they have a great team.
"For me, going to Hershey is great. It gives me a chance to play a few more games, and pro experience, it's a higher level and I'm just looking forward to it."
Tanguay leaves Halifax as the Mooseheads' all-time leading scorer with 101 goals and 214 points in his three seasons.
"It has been great," Tanguay said. "The coaches, I would like to thank every single one of them. They have been great. The organization has been great. I can't say enough.
"It has been the best thing that has ever happened to me, to come here to Halifax. It's sad leaving here, but I'm 19 and I want to be a hockey player. I want to play in the NHL and I guess it's time for me now to move on. But I will have great memories of the city."
