For immediate release 12/18/2000

Contact: Jean Martineau Hayne Ellis Damen Zier

DENVER – The Colorado Avalanche Hockey Club announced today the signing of winger Jordan Krestanovich to a professional contract. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“I was happy to have been drafted by Colorado in 1999,” said Krestanovich, “but after two training camps with the team and by signing this contract, I feel even more a part of the Colorado organization. This is a great moment for me.”

A native of Langley, British Columbia, the six-foot, 170-pound left wing was selected by the Avalanche 152nd overall in the 1999 Entry Draft in Boston. Krestanovich, 19, has played the last four seasons for the Calgary Hitmen (WHL), where last season he more than doubled his point production from his 1998-99 campaign, posting totals of 19 goals and 24 assists in 72 contents. He played one game with the Hershey Bears (AHL) during the Calder Cup Playoffs after the conclusion of the Hitmen’s season, recording zero points. He appeared in 22 games for the Hitmen as a 16-year-old in 1997-98.

Through his first 33 games of the 2000-01 season, Krestanovich has already eclipsed last season’s goal, assist, and point totals, accumulating 24 goals and 29 assists while leading the Hitmen in total points (53). He presently ranks eighth overall in the WHL for scoring, fifth in goals (24), and fourth overall in plus/minus (+22).

“Jordan is a talented played who we feel has a tremendous upside,” said Colorado Avalanche Assistant General Manager Brian MacDonald. “He is a strong skater and playmaker who has also demonstrated the ability to score goals. We value Jordan as one of the top prospects in our organization and will be following his development closely.”

-AVS-