Veteran Center Joe Sakic Retires

One of the greatest centers to ever play in the NHL called it a career last Thursday as long-time Colorado Avalanche forward Joe Sakic retired after playing 20 seasons in the NHL. Sakic had been plagued by back problems in recent years and felt that he could not continue playing. He was limited to 15 games last season with the Avalanche after suffering a herniated disc in his back, as well as broken fingers he suffered in a snow blower accident. He scored only two goals and 10 assists for 12 points. In 1378 career games with the Quebec Nordiques/Colorado Avalanche franchise, he scored 625 goals and 1016 assists for 1641 points. Sakic was a 12-time all-star who won two Stanley Cups with the Avalanche in 1996 and 2001. He won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 1996 as the MVP of the playoffs, the Hart Trophy in 2001 as league MVP, the Lady Byng Trophy in 2001 for gentlemanly conduct, and the Lester B. Pearson Award in 2001 as league MVP by the NHLPA. He is also the 14th highest goal scoring player and 8th highest point scoring player in NHL history. This is a huge loss for the Avalanche and NHL as a whole, as Sakic was a tremendous and classy player throughout his career. He was a proven goal scorer who excelled on the power play, had great passing skills, and was one of the greatest team leaders the NHL has ever known. Sakic always kept a cool head on the ice, even during the fierce and bitter rivalry that developed between the Avalanche and Detroit Red Wings during the mid 90s. Sakic should be very proud of everything he accomplished throughout his career, and should be a shoe-in for the Hall of Fame the first year he is eligible.