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Sakic says goodbyeDaniel Williams, DDN Staff WriterFriday, July 10, 2009 |  | | SOME LAUGHS, SOME TEARS — Joe Sakic, along with his wife, Debbie, laugh during a question-and-answer session following his retirement announcement at the Inverness Hotel yesterday. Denver Daily news photo by Tad Rickman. |
On a monumental day in Colorado sports history, 40-year-old Colorado Avalanche Captain Joe Sakic called it quits after a 20-year NHL career that ranks Sakic among the greatest hockey players ever.
Sakic laughed, cried, poked fun at the media and then had some fun poked back at him when a clip of him fighting Doug Gilmour graced the massive screen sitting behind him.
“I thought this was going to be a lot easier,” Sakic said with tears running down his face. “Hockey is all I ever wanted to do.”
And few if any have ever done it better.
Sakic sat between his wife, Debbie, and his longtime boss Pierre Lacroix, and in front of 200-plus people he could barely choke out the word “retire.”
But afte\r Sakic, the usually quiet and humble icon, briefly spoke, multiple guests, including the governor, had much to say about “Captain Joe.”
“He’s in a class alone, and what he has done for Colorado is unparalleled,” said Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter. “Joe, you always played with integrity, grace and humility.”
Also asked to speak on behalf of Sakic was longtime teammate Adam Foote, who called Sakic “the best two-way player of his time.”
Foote went on to talk about a moment after Colorado won their second Stanley Cup, where after immediately being handed the Cup, Sakic quickly turned it over to a 42-year old Ray Bourque.
“That moment united the hockey world and was one of the greatest moments in hockey history,” said Foote.
During the press conference, a 15-minute career highlight video was played and it was filled with clutch Sakic goals and historic Avalanche moments — but still, those closest to Sakic said he is as good of a parent and person, as he was a player.
“As a person and a player you make everyone around you so much better,” said Lacroix, Avalanche president. “His contributions to hockey, to the franchise, were unbelievable.”
An emotional Lacroix went on to call Sakic one of the greatest leaders and one of greatest players to ever play, adding, “He always brought us success with his unbelievable consistency, and he is going to be missed.”
Born in Burnaby, British Columbia, Sakic went on to break every record in Avalanche history, and in addition he ranks in the top 10 of nearly every major statistical category in NHL history.
The 13 time All-Star wore the captain’s “C” for 16 straight seasons and led Colorado to Stanley Cup titles in 1996 and 2001.
“After having the privilege of playing for 20 years, I am leaving the game of hockey with nothing but great memories and a sense of accomplishment,” Sakic said. “The game has given me more than I ever dreamed and for that I am truly grateful.”
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