The Colorado Avalanche Hockey Club announced today that the team has signed forward T.J. Hensick and defenseman Raymond Macias to three-year, entry level contracts. A finalist for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award (college hockey?s top player), Hensick led the nation in scoring this season with 69 points (23g/46a) in 41 games for the University of Michigan. The senior also led the country in assists, assists-per-game (1.12) and points-per-game (1.68). He captured the Central Collegiate Hockey Association scoring title with 42 points (12g/30a) in 28 conference games. Macias led all Western Hockey League defensemen in scoring with 70 points (30g/40a) in 70 games for the Kamloops Blazers. He finished second on the Blazers in assists, third in points and fourth in goals. He led Kamloops and finished sixth in the WHL in plus minus with a +29 rating. ?We are adding two solid prospects to our organization,? said Avalanche Executive Vice President and General Manager Francois Giguere. ?We look forward to watching T.J. and Ray develop in our system.?

Joe Sakic, who has played 18 seasons with the same organization, signed a one-year contract extension with the Avalanche on Monday. Financial terms were not disclosed for Sakic, who signed a one-year, 5.75 million dollar deal after last season. "As I've said in the past, at his stage in my career, I prefer to do one-year deals as I evaluate my play year-to-year," Canada's Sakic said.

Peter Forsberg nearly bypassed the visitor's locker room and walked into the Colorado dressing room. An understandable mistake for the Nashville star since he's not used to entering the Pepsi Center as a visitor. Forsberg made his return to Colorado on Saturday night, a place he's called home for most of his career. It's his first appearance in Denver since he signed a two-year deal with the Flyers before the 2005-06 season. "It's great coming back," said Forsberg, who spent nine seasons in a Quebec and Colorado jersey. "I had such a good time here."

The Colorado Avalanche Hockey Club announced today that the team has signed forward Chris Stewart to a three-year, entry level contract. Stewart will report to Colorado?s American Hockey League affiliate in Albany, N.Y. Colorado?s No. 1 pick (18th overall) in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, Stewart just completed his third season with the Kingston Frontenacs of the Ontario Hockey League. The 19-year-old team captain finished second on the club in scoring with 82 points in 61 games. Stewart was also second on the Frontenacs in goals (36) and assists (46) and ranked third in penalty minutes (108). He tied for the team lead with 14 power-play goals. ?Chris is part of the long-term future of the Avalanche,? said Avalanche Executive Vice President and General Manager Francois Giguere. ?We feel he is ready to take that next step in his career and going to Albany will definitely help his development.?