Avalanche make amazing gesture to veteran player on PTO

Earlier today, details emerged of an incredible story and gesture from the Colorado Avalanche to a veteran player on a professional tryout contract, with the team flying out Peter Holland to be present for the birth of his child four days ago.

Holland, now 32 years old, is almost 6 years removed from playing a game in the NHL. After a journeyman 266 game career with Toronto, Anaheim, Arizona, and the New York Rangers, Holland spent time playing in the AHL, KHL, and the Swedish professional league. After officially retiring last season, now Holland is making a full comeback bid all the way back to the NHL, on a tryout offer from the Colorado Avalanche.

Expecting a child during the training camp of his comeback effort, Holland and his wife elected for a planned birth on September 22. When hearing of this plan, the Avalanche held nothing back, and made the amazing gesture to excuse Holland and fly him out to be present for the birth. Even to an ageing veteran making a comeback effort, the Avalanche put their people first, which is absolutely commendable.

In an interview with the Denver Post's Corey Masisak, Holland spoke about the amazing effort from the Avalanche, and his effort to make it back to the NHL.

Holland seems just grateful for the opportunity, and also a bit thrown off by the adjustment back to the highest level of hockey. At his best, Holland could serve as a depth centre for the Avalanche, presumably on a two-way contract. On speaking of the Avalanche organization handling the birth of his child, Holland was incredibly thankful.

It's an incredible story on both fronts, between Holland's comeback bud and the Avalanche's off-ice player operations. With a story like this, Avs fans and hockey fans are likely rooting for Holland to find success in Colorado.

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