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Yeah, I will show my age with this blog, but it was Joe Sakic that turned me into a hockey fan 15 years ago. And now as Sakic announces his retirement today, it certainly strikes me as a sad day…but also a day that you look back and remember why Sakic is a 1st ballot Hall of Famer and one of the greatest to ever play the game.
For me, it goes back to around 1994. I was 9 or 10 and Sakic was still with the Quebec Nordiques. I saw a game on TV, probably Hockey Night in Canada, and as it usually happens with me…was drawn to the Nordiques because of their uniforms, in this case the gorgeous home whites. But it was watching #19 in that game (has always been my favorite number), and then realizing that #19 was a really, really good player. He was fast, he wired a sweet top shelf wrist shot, and the announcers continued talking about what a great young player he was. From that time on, he was my “favorite player” and the Nordiques were my “favorite team”.
Now, I was young, so when the team moved from Quebec to Denver, I stayed with them and then the Avalanche really became my favorite team. Their first season in Denver, of course, they won the Stanley Cup…so I really was fan then. But looking back at that Stanley Cup run, all I can remember is goal after goal after goal off the stick of captain Joe Sakic. In fact, that year, Sakic put in 18 playoff goals for the Avalanche en route to being named the Conn Smythe Trophy winner.
So what else sticks with you when it comes to Sakic? Well, how about his overtime prominence? In his 20 year career, he scored 8 winning goals in overtime. It was his play in the clutch that has defined his career as much as anything else. Game 7 against New Jersey in 2001? Top shelf on Martin Brodeur to put the Avs up 3-0. That ended up being the insurance goal, as the Devils would score once to put the final at 3-1.
And of course, the moment we won’t ever forget. After being awarded the Cup at the Pepsi Center, Sakic doesn’t raise it himself, instead immediately giving it to Ray Bourque. Sure, Bourque would go on to ruin the moment with his repeated “F… YEAH” blasts after raising the Cup…but whatever.
The numbers are there, no question. 8th all time in points, 2nd longest serving captain ever, 600 plus goals, 2 Cups, a Gold Medal and on and on. But it’s the memories of one of the most understated, classy leaders in the game that will last for this Sakic fan. And probably most others.
I’m with you Pat. For me, the first player that stood out was Mark Messier. Everyone else raved about Gretzky, but I considered Messier to be the man. Then Joe came along. He wasn’t loud or in your face. He didn’t exude bravado or arrogance. Yet he was a leader. Everyone raised their game to his level (or so they tried). What I learned as the 90′s wore on was that not everyone could play with Messier, but everyone could play with Joe (I also found out more about Messier that didn’t involve Hockey that deluded me about him). His linemates would be that much better when playing with him. It didn’t seem to matter who it was. Joe is/was all class, as you pointed out when they last won the cup. The NHL gives out the Mark Messier leadership award, and I know Iggy was glad to receive it. I wish they could come up with a Sakic/Yzerman leadership award for a team leader that promotes leadership, fairness, class and community & team pride. With those 2 names on it, in my mind, it stand out from Messier’s award. The pride of my hockey collection for almost 20 years has been my Joe Sakic O-Pee-Chee Rookie Card. They don’t make him like that anymore.
PS: Bob, it’s funny you bring up Yzerman, because most people who hold Sakic in high regard hold Yzerman in the same light, and I’m not different. Both players were such complete class acts on and off the ice. I agree with you that Sakic always elevated his linemates…players like Hejduk, Tanguay, Drury and even Forsberg were NEVER as good without Sakic playing with them.
- Bob in the Abbey