Joe Sakic sunk a hole-in-one at the American Century Celebrity Golf Championship, where a perfect shot on the 17th earned him a $1 million bonus from the tournament sponsor. Half of it going to Sakic and half goes to Lance Armstrong’s Livestrong Foundation. It’s at this point I’d like to remind you that Sakic is not a golfer: he is a hockey player, so take in this news like you might if I showed you video of Derek Jeter dunking over a car. Charles Barkley just won the Daytona 500, everybody, here’s a photo gallery.

From USA Today:

“That’s a shot you never imagine hitting,” said Sakic, who won two Stanley Cups with the Colorado Avalanche. “I’ve never even been close before. If you’re going to do it, why not here?”

Take a look.

The best part is his reaction, which starts off as literally nothing and devolves (evolves?) into high-fives and a Cal Ripken Jr. victory lap. I like to think my reaction would be similar, except with more fist pumping and me yelling “BOOM”.

[h/t Devil Ball Golf]

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.

Colorado Avalanche captain Joe Sakic, who was scheduled to return in mid-January from a herniated disk in his back, will instead be out for three months.  Why?  Freak snow blower accident.

[Sakic] has broken three fingers in a snow blower accident and will be out at least three months.

The Avalanche say Sakic underwent surgery Tuesday night for the broken fingers and tendon damage. The team says he’s expected to make a full recovery.

The snow blower accident occurred at Sakic’s home Tuesday afternoon, but the team hasn’t given any details.

“Hasn’t released details”????  Come on!  You can’t just put the words “snow blower accident” out into the world and not give any more details.  This is an awesome story about a freak injury to an NHL player, not some lame story like the results of an NHL game.

(pretty good list of odd sports injuries at Fan IQ)