Left winger making most of opportunity in Denver

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Chris Simon is dealing well with adjustments he's been forced to make, both on and off the ice.

Simon, a left winger with the Colorado Avalanche, is in his fourth National Hockey League season. The Avalanche, who play their home games in Denver, are the former Quebec Nordiques, the franchise that was transferred to the mile-high city during the off-season.

Though rumors of an impending move had been circulating for almost a year, Simon who had played all of his NHL career in Quebec City, said a lot of his teammates were dumbfounded when it actually occurred.

"We had heard a lot of talk about it but didn't think it was going to go through," Simon said, prior to a practice in Toronto on Dec. 10, the day before the Avalanche downed the Maple Leafs 5-1. "When it finally did, it was a shock for a lot of the guys and disappointing to leave Quebec, but I guess it's just the business part of the hockey game."

Simon, an Objibwa who returns to his hometown of Wawa, Ont., during the summer months, speaks highly of his new hockey home.

"People are great there (in Denver)," said Simon, a 6-foot-3, 219 pounder who turns 23 on Jan. 30. "It's like it was in Quebec. They're supporting us really well. They're really excited." And for good reason. In mid-December the Avalanche was sporting an 18-win, eight-loss and four-tie record, tops in the league's Pacific Division. The club is viewed as a legitimate Stanley Cup contender.

Personally, Simon was well on his way to a personal best season in the NHL. In the past, he was a role player, an effective enforcer with the Nordiques. He saw only spot duty while in Quebec, seeing ice time in a total of 82 games in three seasons.

During that time, he collected 22 points (eight goals, 14 assists) and accumulated 205 penalty minutes. As for this season, Simon has seen his playing time increase and had earned 11 points ? one shy of his career best ? in 17 contests. He was continuing to mix it up, however, and had also been tagged for 126 penalty minutes.

Simon certainly isn't going to complain over his increased playing time.

"I would never accept just being a one-dimensional player," he said. "I don't ever want to just be a fighter. I think it would be a boring life just to come out and fight every night. You have to earn your respect and earn your place out on the ice. The first few years, I was in the fighting department, but now I'm getting a chance to play a lot more."

Simon has been getting the bulk of his ice time on a line with Avalanche captain Joe Sakic and veteran right winger Scott Young.

Simon also enjoys being a role model for Native youth.

"I do as much as I can and give as much back as I can to my people," he said. "Hopefully, the kids do see that you can do anything you want in life if you have the effort and determination."