12/21/24
July 09, 2009
Joe Sakic Announces his Retirement: After 20 years, 1600+ points, and 2 Cups, one of hockey's good guys hang up the skates.
I was living in Denver in the mid-'90s when the Colorado Avalanche arrived. I loved watching Sakic and Forsberg and Roy win their first Cup, though the three of them were less entertaining after I moved back home to Dallas and shifted my allegiance to the Stars.
Sakic was one of the best snipers in the league back then on the power play. Hard to believe he's been around two decades already.
posted by rcade at 08:01 PM on July 09, 2009
I take it back. What Holden said.
posted by rcade at 08:01 PM on July 09, 2009
Love me some Sakic. But you're just encouraging Maddog to up the body count with these challenges to his unholy throne.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 09:40 PM on July 09, 2009
Kidding aside, I've always thought of Sakic as very similar to another long-time captain who wore no. 19 -- Steve Yzerman. Quiet leadership, class, played the game the "right way" (which is usually code for a scrappy white baseball player a la David Eckstein).
posted by holden at 09:46 PM on July 09, 2009
I always respected Sakic. Hated the Avalanche with a passion, but Sakic was definitely a hard player to hate. Did some good work for me fantasy wise too a few times.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 11:48 PM on July 09, 2009
During the late 90s/early 00s, Sakic was in his prime. His team was a perennial contender, and he was always in the Hart conversation. Yet whenever he shared a locker room with Steve Yzerman, whether it was the Olympics or an all-star game, he deferred #19 to Stevie Y. without so much as a peep. That respect, more than anything he did on the ice, will always stand out to me as to what kind of guy he is...and is the reason he's the only Avs player I've never given a certain middle name to. Gonna miss that wicked wrister, too...
At least the streets of Denver will be safer now...
posted by MeatSaber at 12:00 AM on July 10, 2009
Aside from the intangibles, the thing I found amazing about his play was his quick release snap-shot. He could give no hint that a 85 mph shot to the five-hole was coming. He also could work the fast break decent.
Thanks Joe.
posted by garfield at 04:12 PM on July 10, 2009
A class act and one hell of a hockey player. If he has any desire whatsoever, I'm sure there's a spot for him behind any bench in any league in North America.
posted by tahoemoj at 08:11 PM on July 10, 2009
I loved Joe Sakic from the first time I saw him with Les Nordiques de Quebec. I agree with tahoemoj about future possibilities. However, I must say that neither Sakic nor GM has anything on this guy.
posted by Howard_T at 03:45 PM on July 11, 2009
MeatSaber, how do you think the streets will be safer? My God, man, if Sakic doesn't have to concentrate on his sport anymore, he can finally turn his attention to his true calling, his true dark craft...God help us all.
posted by The_Black_Hand at 02:48 PM on July 18, 2009
Right up there with Greg Maddux as one of the true dirtbags of professional sport.