In the Monsters five year history, many players have come through the Colorado organization and have skated for the Lake Erie Monsters. While some played longer than others, several former players have emerged as vital members of the teams competing for the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

From one game starts to franchise record holders, the following list breaks down the stats and journey of several former Monsters players as they moved on from their time with the Avalanche organization to compete in this year's NHL Playoffs.

Goalie:

Jose Theodore played in just one game for the Lake Erie Monsters. Theodore was the starting goaltender in the very first game in the inaugural season of Monsters hockey in 2007, giving up three goals on 24 shots in a 3-2 Monsters loss to the Grand Rapid Griffins.Theodore played in 91 games for Colorado from 2005-08, with an overall record of 42-38-5 with 2137 saves as the Avs netminder.

Now with the Florida Panthers, Theodore played in five of the seven playoff games against the New Jersey Devils, dropping three of the five in the series. Theodore recorded a Goals Against Average of 2.46, giving up a total of 11 goals and posting a 0.919 Save Percentage.

Defenseman:

Like Jose Theodore, Johnny Boychuk played for Lake Erie during the 2007-08 season, including the franchise's first game. Boychuck played in a total of 60 games for the Monsters that year, posting a total of 26 points (8 goals, 18 assists). Boychuck also saw time with Colorado during that year, spending four games up in the NHL.

Currently with the Boston Bruins, Boychuck played in all seven games of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the Washington Capitals, posting one goal and two assists in the series. His goal came in Game 5 during a powerplay, Boston eventually lost 4-3. The Bruins were knocked out of the playoffs by Washington in Game 7.

Kevin Shattenkirk spent partial time with Monsters over two seasons during 2009-11, spending most of the 2010-11 season in Colorado. Signing with the Avs organization late in the 2009 season after finishing his career at Boston University, Shattenkirk played in just 13 games with the Monsters and recorded two assists, a shootout goal and 10 penalty minutes. During his time with the Avalanche, Shattenkirk played in a total of 46 games, posting seven goals and 19 assists.

In February of 2011, Kevin Shattenkirk, along with Chris Stewart, was sent to the St. Louis Blues in a trade. As a member of the Blues, Shattenkirk played in each of the team's playoff games, contributing an assist on the first goal in Blues 2012 post season.

Forwards:

T.J. Galiardi suited up for Lake Erie on two separate occasions. First during the 2008-09 season and again in 2010-11. Galiardi played in 67 games with the Monsters, recording 10 goals and 18 assists for a total of 28 points, recorded two game winning goals in the 2008-09 season.

While having two successful stints with the Monsters, Galiardi most of his time with the organization in Colorado, where he posted 33 goals and 39 assists in 171 games.

Just before the trade deadline this past season, Galiardi was traded, along with Daniel Winnik, to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for Mike Connolly. In the 2012 postseason, Galiardi recorded six penalty minutes in three games for the Sharks as they fell to St. Louis in five games.

Matt Hendricks came to the Lake Erie Monsters in a trade with the Boston Bruins for Johnny Boycheck during the 2008-09 season. With the Monsters, Hendricks played in 43 games, recording 14 goals, 15 assists and 71 penalty minutes. Of Hendricks 14 goals, Hendricks recorded five game-winning goals, tying him with Justin Mercier at fourth for most game winning goals in franchise history.

The Monsters are the last AHL team Hendricks has played for, as he found a spot on the Colorado opening night roster the following season; over the course of 60 games with Colorado, Hendricks recorded nine goals and seven assists

Currently with the Washington Capitals, Hendricks has played in all seven first round games and both second round games against New York. He has recorded one assist and a goal in the postseason. The score marks his first career NHL postseason goal.

Brad Richardson played for Lake Erie during the inaugural 2007-08 season. While he would also play for the Manchester Monarchs, with the Monsters he played in 38 games, scoring 40 points (14 goals, 26 assists). Richardson is one of three players to record five points in a single game, which is a Monsters franchise record. During his time with the Avalanche, Richardson played in 133 games, posting 19 goals and 21 assists.

Currently a member of the Los Angeles Kings, Richardson played in two of the five first round games for the Kings, scoring a goal in Game 5 of the series. He tied the game up in the 3rd period of that game, which led to a late goal in OT ending Vancouver’s season. Richardson has also seen time on the ice already in both of the first two games of the second round against St. Louis.

Chris Stewart played for the Monsters on three separate occasions, most recently suiting up for the 2009-10 season. With a total of 98 games as a Monster, Stewart ranks 7th in goals in franchise history with 30 goals and 5th all-time with 11 powerplay goals. Spending a majority of his time in Colorado, Stewart played in a total of 196 games, recording 52 goals and 61 assists.

Stewart was sent to St. Louis, along with Kevin Shattenkirk in a trade. With the Blues, he has played in four of St. Louis first round games and in the both of the first two games of the second round, recording five penalty minutes.

Brandon Yip played in just six games with the Monsters during the 2009-10 season before being called up to Colorado and has not seen AHL action since. In the short time with Lake Erie, Yip posted two goals and four penalty minutes. In Colorado, Yip would play 113 games with the Avalanche - scoring 23 goals and contributing 18 assists.

Picked up by Nashville after being placed on waivers this season, Brandon Yip played in all five first round games for the Predators, recording an assist on the Paul Gaustad goal that opened up the post season scoring for Nashville. He also recorded a goal in the first game of the second round action versus Phoenix.

Matt Ford saw a total of 126 games with the Lake Erie Monsters, scoring 39 goals and posting 30 assists during his time with the organization. Ranked 8th in most games played for the Monsters, Ford is tied for 2nd in goals scored behind Ryan Stoa. Ford was with the Monsters from 2009-2011, on an AHL contract, therefore was unable to play for Colorado. Following his time with Lake Erie, Ford signed with the Washington Capitals; playing for the team's AHL affiliate, the Hershey Bears until he was traded to the Philadelphia organization in a midseason trade.

Ford is currently a member of the Philadelphia Flyers organization, but has not recorded time on ice in the team's postseason run.