DENVER (Ticker) - What the Colorado Avalanche lost in skill with the
departure of Peter Forsberg, they hope to have made up in toughness with the
signing
of Brad May.

The Avalanche signed the rugged May to a two-year contract Friday, two days
after Forsberg inked a two-year deal with Philadelphia as a free agent.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

The 14th overall pick of Buffalo in 1990, May has made a mark in the NHL with
his aggressive style of play, collecting 1,937 penalty minutes in 804 career
games. The 33-year-old also has recorded 120 goals and 146 assists in 13
seasons with the Sabres, Vancouver and Phoenix.

"Brad May is a good skater who brings us additional grit, leadership and
experience," Colorado general manager Pierre Lacroix said.

In 2003-04, May recorded five goals, six assists and 137 penalty minutes in
70 games with the Canucks.

"I'm looking forward to continuing my career in such a great hockey
environment," May said. "I have a tremendous amount of respect for the guys on
this
roster and I'm looking forward to playing with them. This is going to be a very
competitive division, one that could be the most exciting in the NHL."

The addition of May could rustle feathers in Colorado's locker room. May was
a key contributor to the hostile environment that led to Todd Bertuzzi's
vicious attack on Avalanche rookie Steve Moore in a March 2004 game. Moore, who
suffered a concussion and fractured vertebrae, included May in a civil lawsuit
filed earlier this year.

August 5, 2005



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