Joe Sakic Calls it a Day!

The lasting image I’ll always have of Joe Sakic occurred in 2001 when, after winning the 2001 Stanley Cup, the Colorado Avalanche captain displayed what kind of classy person he is when, after accepting the Cup from commissioner Gary Bettman, he right away gave it to 22-year veteran and first-time winner Ray Bourque.

Sakic, who officially retired last week after a storied 20-season career with the Quebec Nordiques/Colorado Avalanche, has electrified fans in what was a Hall-of-Fame career, which included such accomplishments as two Stanley Cups—1996 and 2001, and an Olympic Gold Medal—2002. In 2001, he had a magical season and was awarded with the Hart, Lady Byng, Lester B. Person, and Bud Light Plus-Minus Awards. In ’96 he also won the Conn Smythe after enjoying a magical playoff run of 34 points in leading the franchise to their first Stanley Cup win.

Sakic, who enjoyed his best season in ’96 when he scored 120 points, has often been described by former teammates as being humble and a complete team-player. That trait of being a team-player was never more evident than that magical moment when he gave the Cup to an excited Bourque, who was playing in his final NHL season in a career that was mostly spent with the Boston Bruins.

Super Joe, as he is at times affectionately called, or Burnaby Joe, was always known for his deadly snap-shot that played a huge role in this Burnaby BC native's scoring 625 career goals. At times he seemed invincible in scoring goals and producing 1,641 career points, but in the end he couldn’t beat out father time. Heading into last season Sakic, who ended up to play only 15 games due to injuries, had the goal of playing in the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. When he suffered a herniated disk and had to undergo back surgery last year Sakic, now 40 years old, began thinking seriously about hanging up the skates.

“I didn’t think I could be the player I wanted to be,” Sakic said. “I always said to myself that the minute I thought I’d slipped, and not be the player I wanted to be, it was time for me to go.”

Not surprisingly, after Sakic, who captained the Nordiques/Avalache for 16-straight seasons, announced his retirement, the franchise announced that Sakic’s number 19 jersey would be raised to the rafters, where it will join goalie Patrick Roy’s jersey along with defenceman Raymond Bourque.

“He’s such a great leader,” former Avalanche teammate Paul Stastny said. “He made the team top-notch.”

Only Gordie Howe with 1,809, Steve Yzerman with 1,755, Mario Lemieux with 1,723 and Wayne Gretzky with 1,669 have scored more points with one franchise than Sakic’s 1,641 points.

“I’m sad to see him leave the game,” former teammate Peter Forsberg said. “I’m glad I got the chance to play alongside him for many years…He’s a very classy person and a great team leader.”