In any generation, there is an elite group of players that can be classified as "stars". Similarly, there are few that can legitimately carry the title of "leader". Joe Sakic is one of the highly select group of players that can be considered as both. During his 20 year NHL career, he played 1378 games and with his brilliant wrist shot scored 625 goals and 1641 points, including at least 40 goals five times and 100 points six times. He captained the Colorado Avalanche to two Stanley Cups and won numerous awards. He played with and won the most valuable player award for gold medal-winning Team Canada in the 2002 Winter Olympics.
He overcame many obstacles in reaching this pinnacle of hockey stardom. He accomplished it as a small player in a big man's game. Born to Croatian immigrant parents, he did not learn to speak English until he enrolled in school. Playing as a rookie on the Western Hockey League's Swift Current Broncos, he faced tragedy on the night of December 30, 1986, when the Broncos team bus, driving in bad weather conditions, crashed after the driver lost control on a patch of black ice outside of Swift Current. While Sakic was unharmed, four of his teammates were killed.
He officially ended his playing career after last season and was honoured yesterday by the Avalanche as they retired his #19 sweater. He is also one of a select few individuals to play his entire career with one franchise (Quebec Nordiques- Colorado Avalanche). Both his teammates and opponents have long respected Joe for his hard work, leadership ability, selfless play and amazing skill as well as his charity work off the ice, and he has been acknowledged as the classiest player of his time. There is no doubt that he will be elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame as soon as he is eligible. We have been fortunate to be able to enjoy and appreciate this marvelous player for 20 years. Thanks Joe, it's been a pleasure.
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