An anonymous source has told the AP that the only captain the Colorado Avalanche have ever had will be retiring after 20 seasons in the NHL. Joe Sakic (right) was one of the Quebec Nordiques that made the pilgramage to Denver in 1995, and one of the game’s great centers, ranking among the NHL’s all-time leaders in goals (625-14th), assists (1,016-11th) and total points (8th).
The anonymous source indicates that mounting injuries, including a herniated disk in his back and a hand injury from a snowblower accident, were the main reason for Sakic’s departure. Sakic was one of those undersized guys that just did his thing every night and worried more about winning than his own personal glory, an attitude best exemplified when he famously handed the Stanley Cup to Ray Borque after the Final in 2001. And he kinda looks like Harry Connick, Jr. That’s doubly badass.
The official announcement is expected tomorrow. Sakic could still play for Team Canada in 2010; he’s been invited to camp, and the prospect of ending his hockey career in the Olympics being held in his home province of British Columbia would be tough to turn down. Either way, the NHL sucks a little bit more now that Joe Sakic is gone.
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Sticking your hand in a snow blower is never a good idea, it’s almost as dangerous as sticking your hand in Paris Hilton’s vagina.
/that’s right a Paris Hilton joke, I went there
I’ve met “Burnaby” Joe a few times at a bar and at a store I used to work at. He is as down to earth as anyone. Seriously, if you were in a room full of people, never in a million years would you know that he’s one of the top 15 players to ever play in the NHL. He was tough as nails, and a good family man. I’m sure he’ll get an exec role with Colorado on Thursday, after he announces his retirement. What a warrior.
Thanks Joe, for helping me win hockey pool after hockey pool in the early-mid 90′s because you were lost in Quebec. And thanks for dominating the 2002 Olympic Gold medal game.
Harry Connick? He looks like a long lost Flacco brother.
Drank with him in Turin during the 2006 Olympics the night they got eliminated. We(my friends and I) were walking down the street, drunk and depressed when we see a Canadian Flag outside of a door to a tavern. At the door was a large man that asked to see my canadian passport. My friends and I walked in…pretty much every single player from the Canadian hockey team…getting hammered. Sat at a table with Jason Spezza, Danny Heatley, Jerome Iginla and Joe Sakic. Joe was quite but funny. An amazing captain on and off the ice. A sad day indeed.
On a side note Ryan Smyth is a dork, Marty Brodeur is a dick and Kris Draper and Robyn Regehr could out drink cronic alcoholics.
Oh, I get it…”Sack itch”
Also, I’ll miss him as a classy blah blah blah hoc-key?