Hope everyone was able to spend time with family and friends during Memorial Weekend and take some time to reflect on its meaning, on the sacrifices so many service members have made so we can enjoy times like these.

*****

The big Avalanche news was broken by BSNDenver.com, which reported that longtime play-by-play broadcaster Mike Haynes has resigned from Altitude Sports.

Haynes has been calling Avalanche games, first on radio, since the team moved from Quebec to Denver in 1995. He moved to the television side in 2005-06, working alongside analyst Peter McNab.

No reason has been announced for Haynes’ decision. Neither he nor the Avalanche have yet to comment.

We can only hope that Haynes isn’t experiencing any health issues. He was diagnosed with a brain aneurysm in October 2007. He continued to work until undergoing surgery on April 10, 2008. He missed the playoffs and returned for the 2009 season.

Haynes has been broadcasting in Denver since 1994 when he did play-by-play on radio for the Denver Grizzlies of the International Hockey League, working alongside analyst Norm Jones; the duo continued their roles with the Avalanche in 1995.

Haynes also has called games for the Colorado Mammoth indoor lacrosse team and the Colorado Rapids soccer team. He’s married with two children.

Haynes began his radio career while attending Northeastern University, calling football, basketball and hockey games.

He’s worked regularly in hockey since 1989 with stints with the Baltimore Skipjacks and Capital District Islanders of the American Hockey League, and the Utica Bulldogs of the Colonial Hockey League.

*****

The Colorado Eagles, the Avalanche’s ECHL affiliate who move up to the AHL next season, are tied 1-1 with the Florida Everblades in the best-of-seven Kelly Cup championship series.

The series shifts to Germain Arena in Estero, Fla., for the next three games. Game 3 will be played Wednesday.

Florida has won five of six playoff games at home, where it was 27-6-3 in the regular season.


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