The 'Lumber Yard' Was Built in Albany: How Blackwood and Wedgewood Became Colorado's Goalie Dream Team

The Colorado Avalanche didn't build their "Lumber Yard" goaltending tandem slowly. They traded for Mackenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood within days of each other during the 2024-25 season, and suddenly they had two elite netminders. But here's the thing nobody talks about: they already knew each other. The real foundation was poured almost a decade earlier in Albany, New York, where everything clicked into place.

Two Guys Who Actually Want Each Other to Win

"We've played together in the past and we have that familiarity from before," Blackwood said. "It's just kind of the way he is. He's a really easy guy to be friends with. He's very vocal and happy-go-lucky and it's easy to balance stuff off a guy like that."

Wedgewood saw it the same way. "I think what we've both found is you are walking your path, but we can be side-by-side together," he said. "We do feel like we can be cheering each other on and we don't want each other to fail. Because then our team fails."

That's not just locker room talk. That's a real partnership where both guys genuinely want the other guy to succeed. In a league where goalie tandem drama can tank a season, this is gold.

The Long Road to Denver

Both goalies came through the New Jersey Devils organization. Wedgewood, 33, was a third-round pick in 2010 drafted with the promise he could eventually play in the NHL. Blackwood, 29, went in the second round in 2015, carrying the profile of a potential No. 1 option with his athleticism and physical tools.

But getting from prospect to professional isn't about projections. It's about endurance. Their paths diverged after Albany, each finding success before reuniting in Colorado. The lessons learned on those separate journeys shaped who they are now.

Rick Kowalski, their AHL coach with the Albany Devils, watched two young guys with different personalities develop into pros. Now that tandem is helping power one of the NHL's best teams as the Avalanche chase their fourth Stanley Cup.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.