There have been plenty of feel-good stories in Colorado this season, perhaps none more so than that of defenseman Nick Holden, who like teammate Nate Guenin was buried in the minors for so long his chances of ever getting to the NHL for more than the proverbial cup of coffee seemed remote at best.
Now, it will be difficult to keep the 6-foot-4, 207-pounder out of the lineup on a regular basis.
Holden has had several effective games in a row, his best by far on Saturday in Nashville in the Avalanche's 5-4 win. He had two goals, an assist, five shots and nine hits in 22:30 of ice time. After being relegated to a few shifts as a fourth-line left wing the first month of the season, Holden has emerged as a valuable contributor with four goals and six assists in 21 games while averaging 18:03 in playing time.
It was quite a week for Holden and his wife Angela, who gave birth to the couple's second child -- they have two boys -- on Jan. 11. Holden rejoined the Avalanche two days later in Chicago and played a season-high 25:51 while adding an assist in a 3-2 overtime win against the Blackhawks.
"I just felt I was blessed to be in the NHL," Holden, 26, said. "It wasn't that I didn't care that I wasn't playing, but if it took me not playing for a month and bag skating and working without playing, that was fine by me. I wanted to keep a positive attitude and have fun with it. Injuries happen and opportunities present themselves. You just never know how the season is going to go.
"For me to finally get an opportunity is obviously exciting and all you can ask for. Hopefully I'll do well with it. All I can do is work hard and try and play my game every day and make a good impression. It's amazing to be in the NHL and playing against the world's best players. I idolized guys like this when I was younger and to be out there playing against them is a dream."
Getting to the NHL might have seemed more like a pipe dream to Holden during the previous five seasons, when he played a total of seven NHL games with the Columbus Blue Jackets, spending the rest of the time in Syracuse and Springfield in the American Hockey League.
Holden, who was born in St. Albert, Alberta, signed with the Blue Jackets as an undrafted free agent in March 2008 after playing two seasons with the Chilliwack Bruins in the Western Hockey League. He was Chilliwack's captain in 2007-08 and lead all WHL defensemen with 22 goals while adding 38 assists.
His best minor league season came last year in Springfield when he had nine goals and 30 assists in 73 games, after which the Avalanche signed him to a two-year, $1.2 million contract, figuring he'd begin with Lake Erie in the AHL and get a call-up if someone was injured.
Instead, Holden made the Avalanche's opening-night roster as an eighth defenseman.
"We signed him as a call-up and he came to (training) camp and he played so well," coach Patrick Roy said. "I said, 'Hey, listen, you're going to start with us.' He was very patient at the beginning of the year, didn't play much. Lately he's had his opportunity and he's taken advantage of it. I like his speed, he's jumping in the rush well and his game is improving defensively as well. I'm very happy for him."
Roy credits the Avalanche scouting staff for giving him and team executive vice president of hockey operations Joe Sakic recommendations to bring in defensemen like Holden, Guenin and Andre Benoit, all of whom signed as free agents and have contributed to the team's vastly-improved play.
Holden said Avalanche scouts followed him when he played in junior and in the AHL. He was looking for a fresh start when he signed with Colorado, figuring his chances of making a good first impression would be enhanced with a new coach and restructured management team.
Realistically, Holden expected to start in the AHL with the Cleveland-based Monsters, play a game or two with the Avalanche in an emergency, and have a better opportunity in the second year of his contract.
That's all changed now.
"You kind of get stuck down in the minors and you sometimes get those (negative) thoughts," Holden said. "For me, there was always that little bit of light there where there's a chance. That pushes you and drives you a little bit harder. Sometimes it does seem long and you're never going to get up here or get a chance. Some guys don't handle that very well and that kind of hurts their game. Other guys push through and stay positive and keep working.
"There's much down side in life to me. It's always positive; there's nothing to be down about in the NHL. I have a family that supports me and the opportunity to be here, so there's really nothing to be worried about or to complain about."