Forsberg rejoins Avalanche

Denver, CO - After 2 1/2 seasons away, Peter Forsberg has decided to return to the NHL with the Colorado Avalanche.

The centerman made his announcement Sunday, following the team's practice in preparation for Monday's game in Phoenix.

The 37-year-old Swede signed a deal for the remainder of the 2010-11 campaign, though no details were released. "We're proud to announce that Peter will be back in an Avalanche sweater," said general manager Greg Sherman. Forsberg started practicing with the Avs on January 22 and came to the conclusion that he was healthy enough, after foot ailments made it difficult for him to even skate, to resume his career.

"After testing my abilities with NHL players over the last few weeks, I feel confident that I can play at the NHL level and help this team," Forsberg said. Forsberg last played during the 2007-08 campaign, when he posted a lone goal and 13 assists in nine games with Colorado.

Forsberg won Stanley Cups with the Avalanche in 1996 and 2001 and was selected to seven NHL All-Star Games.

After scoring the gold medal-winning goal for Sweden during the 1994 Olympics, he was immortalized on a postage stamp in his home country. Forsberg was also a member of Sweden's 2006 gold medal-winning Olympic team and has represented his country four times in the quadrennial tournament.

Philadelphia selected Forsberg with the sixth overall choice in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft and traded him to Quebec, along with several other players, in the June, 1992 deal that sent Eric Lindros to the Flyers.

He has collected 249 goals and 885 points during his brilliant but oft-injured 12-year career with the Nordiques, Avs, Flyers and Predators.