Joe Sakic News: Pro Sports Daily

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December 20

Denver Post

"In the lobby of The Ice Ranch complex, the hockey-oriented Colorado Sports Insider newspaper was prominently displayed in a dispenser. The front page showed Joe Sakic watching his huge replica jersey rising to the Pepsi Center rafters on the Avalanche's opening night this season. The headline: "WE BID FAREWELL." As games and practices went on in The Ice Ranch's two rinks, as parents, skaters and players from as far away as Wyoming waited for their games or ice time, many grabbed a copy of the paper and flipped through it. Most didn't seem to realize that if they really wanted to say farewell, thanks for the memories, or even hello to the likely 2012 Hockey Hall of Fame inductee, they could ..."

Sykora's concussion confirmed

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November 10

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Wild coach Todd Richards knows all about concussions. He knows they're a nuisance, that they're scary and that the timetable for a return is about as cloudy as one might feel after sustaining one. After Monday, he also knows that another of his players is out indefinitely because of one. Tests done Sunday confirmed that forward Petr Sykora suffered a concussion Saturday, and Richards said he thought Sykora would undergo more tests this week. Sykora hit his head on the glass on a check by Dallas pest Steve Ott during the third period of the Wild's 3-2 victory. Ott, who has twice been suspended by the league for his conduct during his career, did not receive a penalty, but Richards called ..."

Emotional farewell brings out cheers, tears from fans

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October 2

Denver Post

"A sea of proud and teary-eyed Joe Sakic fans stood, clapped and cried Thursday night during the longtime Avalanche captain's on-ice farewell. Among the many patrons wearing a Sakic sweater was Philip Hill, who traveled from Bloomington, Ind., for the celebration of Denver's greatest hockey star. "I've enjoyed Mr. Sakic in all his years. He's a great guy, great for the community and a great player," said Hill, 58, donning Sakic's Quebec Nordiques jersey. "He's not a typical pro athlete with a big head and all the things you don't like about pro athletes now. He's none of those. He's great." The retiring of No. 19's sweater doesn't mean you won't continue to see No. 19 sweaters in the ..."

Avalanche pays tribute to Sakic with a 5-2 win

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October 2

Denver Post

"It never got as loud as it did before the game. But the fact that it even got close says all you need to know about the Avalanche's season opener Thursday night. On a night when 19 was the big number, the Avs used a roster sprinkled with other teens to beat the San Jose Sharks 5-2 on Joe Sakic Night. After Sakic's No. 19 officially was raised to the Pepsi Center rafters, the Avs raised the roof with an electrifying first two periods and survived a third period in which referees gave the Sharks a two-man advantage for a full two minutes. If the future is as good as it was promised in the opener, maybe it won't be unthinkable that Sakic's banner won't be the last one raised by the Avs for a ..."

Former Quebec, Colorado teammates have nothing but praise for Joe "Mr. Avalanche" Sakic

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October 2

Denver Post

"A handful of Joe Sakic's former Avalanche teammates attended his number retirement ceremony Thursday night, including Peter Forsberg, Pierre Turgeon, Shjon Podein, Curtis Leschyshyn and Alexei Gusarov. Forsberg, who recently played three games for his hometown team in the Swedish Elite League to gauge his readiness for another possible NHL comeback, came over from Sweden. He wasn't made available to the media. Podein traveled in from Rochester, Minn. Turgeon, Leschyshyn, and Gusarov are Denver-area residents. "I had a lot of smiles, some shivers, even some tears," said Leschyshyn, who played with Sakic for eight full seasons at Quebec and Colorado. "I was standing beside three of the kids ..."

Avs retire sweater of longtime captain Joe Sakic

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October 2

Denver Post

"There weren't many empty seats or dry eyes tonight during Joe Sakic's retirement celebration at the Pepsi Center. Super Joe's No. 19 went to the rafters in style, fitting for the city's larger-than-life hockey superstar. "Thirty-six years ago, I was 4 years old and went to watch my first hockey game, a Vancouver Canuck game back at home, and that's when my dream started. I wanted to be hockey player," Sakic said from a podium after a lengthy video presentation captured his boyhood years and 20-year NHL career. "And I can honestly tell you that back then I could have never imagined I'd be here right now in front of you, getting ready to see my jersey be raised to the rafters. What an honor ..."

Former Avs captain Sakic gets his No. 19 lifted to rafters

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October 2

Denver Post

"With a No. 19 in the Avalanche uniform style on the podium in front of him, and with the Pepsi Center crowd intently listening during the pregame ceremony Thursday, Joe Sakic mused that on the 2009-10 season's opening night, he was "kinda getting that itch." He paused, and then added, "Just kidding." A few minutes later, the 42-minute ceremony honoring the recently retired center before Colorado's matchup with the San Jose Sharks concluded with the ceremonial lifting of the huge banner with Sakic's number to the rafters, alongside those honoring former teammates Ray Bourque (77) and Patrick Roy (33). "It was tough for me to enjoy it because I was right underneath it," Sakic said after the ..."

Avalanche will say hello to season by saying goodbye to Joe Sakic

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October 1

Denver Post

"It will be quite the spectacle: Joe Sakic, accepting the retirement of his number 19 to the rafters, then skating with a lit torch and passing it to Matt Duchene. How's that for symbolism? No, that second part won't actually happen. But in a symbolic sense it will, when the Avalanche honors its franchise icon before tonight's season opener, then watches its 18-year-old center begin the enormous job of trying to fill Sakic's skates. The Avalanche begins the post-Sakic era at 8 p.m. against the defending NHL Presidents' Trophy winner San Jose Sharks, preceded by ceremonies for the retired Avs captain starting at 6:45. The Avs have invited all "vested" alumni — former Quebec/Colorado ..."

Forsberg's visit will be all about Sakic's big night

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September 29

Denver Post

"Former Avalanche star Peter Forsberg will be at the Pepsi Center on Thursday night, but not to resume his NHL career with the Avs. Forsberg will be on hand to attend the season opener against the San Jose Sharks and pay tribute to longtime former teammate Joe Sakic, whose number will be retired before the game. "He has meant so much to me that I feel I must be there," Forsberg told Swedish reporters. Forsberg's health also made news Monday when he revealed he has a stress fracture in his right foot. Despite that setback, he played for Modo on Monday in a Swedish League game against HV71, scoring its only goal in a 3-1 loss. "I can hardly walk, but it feels OK when I skate," Forsberg said. ..."

Avs' Sakic enjoying retirement

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August 28

Denver Post

"Don't expect Joe Sakic to pull a Brett Favre, come out of retirement and rejoin the Avalanche - actually, to really pull a Favre, he'd have to join the Red Wings. No, Captain Joe confirmed today that he's enjoying retirement, and said so from the ultimate retirement locale - a golf course on a gloriously sunny day. The Avs legend hosted the "Joe Sakic Celebrity Golf Tournament" at the Sanctuary Golf Course, the 12th annual tournament, but the first since Sakic retired. Asked how his handicap is, Sakic said, "It's going the wrong way. But I've got all winter to work on it. So that's my goal." Sakic, who retired in July, said he understands Favre's perpetual itch: "It's your competitive ..."

Simple message: Thank you, Joe

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July 10

Denver Post

columnist Woody Paige

"Forty minutes before his official retirement speech, Mighty Joe Sakic sat in the Inverness Hotel's green room, which was painted gray, and took a bite out of a turkey sandwich and his life. Joe's wife, Debbie, was to his left, and his friend and longtime teammate Adam Foote to his right. His son Mitchell and the twins, Chase and Kamryn, as kids are wont to do, were all over the place. An intrepid intruder interrupted. "You looking for scoops?" Debbie laughed. "No, I'm looking for the buffet. Hi, Joe. What's new?" I asked. "I'm retiring," Joe said. "I've heard. But, then, you've always been shy and retiring, Quoteless Joe," a nickname I tagged him with 14 years ago. He will not be, let's ..."

Super Joe classy to the end

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July 10

Denver Post

"They sat in silence, mostly out of profound respect, but partly out of sheer necessity. In what came as no surprise to those who knew him, Joe Sakic could barely be heard on the podium Thursday when he announced his retirement from the National Hockey League. "After having the privilege of playing for 20 years, I'm 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 of, and for that I'm truly grateful. . . . I'm excited for the next chapter. It's my turn to stay home." The announcement came in the same Inverness Hotel banquet room in which John Elway retired from the NFL in 1999. As could be ..."

Avs almost lost their captain

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July 10

Denver Post

"Joe Sakic, who announced his retirement Thursday, served as the Avalanche captain for 13 consecutive seasons during the franchise's stay in Denver. Twelve years ago, the very real possibility loomed that the captain would take his equipment and leave town for good. On Aug. 6, 1997, the New York Rangers not only signed Sakic to a three-year, $21 million offer sheet, they structured the deal with the hope of making it impossible for the cash-strapped Ascent Entertainment ownership to match the deal and retain him under the NHL's unrestricted free agency system. The Avalanche, then still playing in the undersized McNichols Sports Arena and with the Pepsi Center groundbreaking still not ..."

Job in hockey management in Sakic's future?

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July 10

Denver Post

"Other than helping coach his sons' youth hockey teams, Joe Sakic said he has no grander coaching aspirations. But a future career in management could be in the retired Avalanche center's future. "I'd like to get to learn the business part of the game. Maybe I could follow Pierre (Lacroix) around for a while," Sakic said. Sakic acknowledged he might like to follow in the footsteps of two of his contemporaries now in management - Steve Yzerman in Detroit and Joe Nieuwendyk in Dallas. But for the next year, at least, Sakic wants to take a breather, with his only hockey activities being part- time coach for the teams of his two boys - Mitchell and Chase. Sakic said he plans to maintain a ..."

Sakic bids adieu to Avs, NHL

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July 10

Denver Post

"For a player whose 20-year playing career was a devout adherence to repetition, Thursday was a day unlike any other in the life of Joe Sakic. For one thing, he didn't get his usual sound sleep. Sakic didn't have many slumps in his NHL career, but he always got lots of slumber. Not only did he usually get a solid eight hours, he was a great catnapper. You always could tell Sakic had gotten a good pregame nap on the road when he'd show up in the hotel lobby with his hair messed up. But for the Avalanche captain, who retired Thursday, there would be no sleep in the wee hours. For the player who always hated talking, who always hated attention, the hours leading to his retirement ceremony were ..."

Avalanche to retire Sakic's No. 19

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July 9

Denver Post

"The Avalanche announced today that the organization will retire number 19 in honor of team captain Joe Sakic. The club will raise Sakic's number 19 in a ceremony before the start of the club's 2009-10 season opener. "It is appropriate and deserving that we launch the season by honoring Joe's accomplishments," Avalanche president Pierre Lacroix said in a team statement. "It will be a tremendous event for a very special person and hockey player. We can't put into words what he meant to this franchise and to our hockey fans."

They just don't make 'em like 'Super Joe' anymore

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July 9

Denver Post

"Professional athletes don't always deserve the adulation they receive from their fans. Their off-field antics often overshadow their athletic achievements. But if anyone in Denver merits such adoration, without a doubt it is the Colorado Avalanche's Joe Sakic. Sakic never demanded the spotlight but he always earned it. An ideal pro with a champion's heart, Sakic displayed the rare combination of superstar talent and humble professionalism. Sakic played for one franchise his entire 20-year career, winning two Stanley Cups and appearing in 13 NHL All-Star games. That feat, at that level, will be nearly impossible to duplicate. While Sakic made a superb living playing hockey, he never acted ..."

Forsberg recalls fond memories

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July 9

Denver Post

"Peter Forsberg will not be on hand today to see Joe Sakic announce his retirement from the Avalanche. But he'll be there in spirit. Forsberg, who starred with Sakic to form a deadly 1-2 punch at center in Colorado, called Sakic "one of the most important people in my life." "I owe him a lot," Forsberg told the Swedish newspaper Expressen. "He really helped me when I came to Quebec, as a young European player a little nervous about what was ahead." Forsberg was at the Pepsi Center to see Sakic at the Avalanche's final regular-season game in April. Although he has yet to make his own retirement official, Forsberg said it "doesn't look good" that he'll play in the NHL again because of foot ..."

Goalies say Sakic's uncanny accuracy made him great

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July 9

Denver Post

"Those who faced Joe Sakic from the opposing goal hated him. But they still couldn't help but like him. "He caused me a lot of grief in my career," former NHL goalie Mike Vernon said of Sakic, who will announce he is retiring this afternoon. "But of all the guys I played against, I had as much respect for Sakic as anyone, and probably more. But he was no fun to play against." What made Sakic so tough to stop? A lot of things, Vernon said, but one thing stood out. "He had just a great shot. He had a real sneaky wrist shot, so quick," he said. "It was a very accurate shot. That's the difference from an ordinary scorer to a real good one, that extra inch or two of accuracy on the shot. He had ..."

Where will Joe Sakic rank among elite?

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July 9

Denver Post

"Reading a roll call of hockey's greatest forwards usually goes something like this: Wayne Gretzky, Gordie Howe, Rocket Richard, Mario Lemieux, Mark Messier, Phil Esposito . . . then one big contentious debate. Where Joe Sakic ranks among the great all-time NHL forwards no doubt will make for spirited future barroom discussions. At 1 p.m. today, on the ninth day of the month, No. 19 of the Avalanche will start his retirement, and the debate can begin. Comparing players from different eras and positions is tough, but Sakic played in the NHL so long — 20 years — that many believe he should be considered among the 10 best forwards to wear skates. "I think he's right at the top of the heap. ..."

Sakic thrived in the clutch

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July 8

Denver Post

"When he came to Denver, he already was a seven-year NHL veteran, with a respectable 11 points in 12 career playoff games. But Joe Sakic had that unfortunate reputation as a "good player on a bad team." Some critics said he didn't make those around him much better. "There were some pretty bad teams in those first few years," said Curtis Leschyshyn, a teammate of Sakic's coming up with the Quebec Nordiques. "We started getting better as the years went on, but we hadn't been past the first round of the playoffs." Sakic will walk into retirement at a Thursday afternoon news conference as the NHL's leader in overtime playoff goals, with eight. He won two Stanley Cup championships, and his ..."

Joe Sakic - Humble champ, constant winner

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July 8

Denver Post

columnist Woddy Paige

"The Iceman goeth. In Croatian the word pobjednik means "champion." In English the name Sakic stands for "champion." Gentleman Joe Sakic, champion, hockey player, humanitarian. Hockey offers the hard, cold statistics of goals, assists and points. Here are the soft, warm statistics of life about Citizen Sakic: Goals - Reached his only hockey goals, becoming a player, becoming a good teammate, becoming a champion. Assists - Raised funds to provide more than 7 million meals for Food Bank of the Rockies. Points - Won titles in the NHL, the Winter Olympics, the World Junior Championships, the World Cup of Hockey, the World Championships and, his first, the Canadian National Midget Championships. ..."

Sakic humble on and off ice

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July 8

Denver Post

"Joe Sakic might have been the nicest superstar who ever played in the NHL. But he was not an annoying kind of nice. He would not roam around a room asking: "Hey, how you doing? How's things? How's the family? Can I bring you a Gatorade?" You know, those people who are so overbearingly pleasant, you want to wring their neck? Sakic wasn't like that. Sakic, instead, was amazingly consistent as a player and a person. You would never know if the Avalanche won or lost by looking at him after a game. "There's a book about 'Level5' leaders and all the great ones have skill and other things but the last level that makes them special is humility. Joe had that," said Edmonton coach Pat Quinn, who won ..."

Sakic to retire after 20-year NHL career

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July 8

Denver Post

"Twice in a Colorado Avalanche sweater, both times with the captain's "C" near his shoulder, Joe Sakic has accepted the Stanley Cup from NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. Now, the face of the franchise is walking away. He will announce his retirement at a news conference Thursday, sources close to Sakic confirmed. In 1996 in Miami, Sakic triumphantly raised the most famous trophy in professional sports. It was notable for many reasons, the most important being that it represented Denver's first major-league championship. In 2001 in Denver, Sakic quickly and deftly handed off the Cup to veteran defenseman Ray Bourque, who had waited years to experience the triumphant moment and get the trophy ..."

Timeline: Joe Sakic through the years

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July 8

Denver Post

"July 7, 1969: Born in Vancouver, British Columbia. The official references to him being born in Burnaby, where he was raised, are incorrect. 1985-86 season: Scores 83 goals in 80 games for Burnaby in bantam hockey. Joins the Lethbridge Broncos of major junior's Western Hockey League for the final three games of the season at age 16. 1986-87: Piles up 60 goals and 73 assists for the Broncos, then is relocated to Swift Current. Dec. 30, 1986: Is aboard the Swift Current team bus when it crashes on a trip to Regina, killing four teammates - Trent Kresse, Scott Kruger, Chris Mantyka and Brent Ruff. June 1987: Claimed by the Quebec Nordiques with the 15th choice of the NHL entry draft. He is ..."

Joe was super long before he was Super Joe

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July 8

Denver Post

"In 1988 at age 18, Joe Sakic concluded a 160-point season for the Swift Current Broncos. It was the last time he played in the world's hockey shadows. Sakic went directly from the Western Hockey League to the NHL's Quebec Nordiques, a jump forecasted by those he played for as a teenager. Sakic's long hockey road is about to come to an end, as two sources close to him have confirmed he will announce his retirement from the Avalanche on Thursday afternoon. Lorne Frey, who was the assistant coach and general manager of Swift Current when Sakic played for the Broncos from 1986-88, said Super Joe was a super kid. "When we initially saw him, he participated in an under-17 camp in Camrose, ..."

Avalanche's Sakic to retire from the NHL on Thursday

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July 7

Denver Post

"The news that Avalanche fans had hoped never to hear is nevertheless official: Joe Sakic has decided to retire from the Avalanche. The Denver Post has confirmed that the Avalanche captain will retire Thursday at a 1 p.m. news conference at the Inverness Hotel. After a 20-season career that is sure to land him in the Hockey Hall of Fame, Sakic had mulled a 21st. Instead, he'll walk away as the Avalanche's all-time leading scorer with 625 goals and 1,641 points in 1,378 games — all with the same franchise. Injuries started to catch up with Sakic last season, limiting him to only 15 games. He had surgery for a herniated disc and wasn't able to make it back for the final weekend of games last ..."

Sakic gets Olympic invitation

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July 3

Denver Post

"If Team Canada thought Joe Sakic was going to retire, would it have extended the Avalanche great an invitation to its Olympic orientation camp? That was a question many Avalanche fans were mulling Thursday after Hockey Canada executive director Steve Yzerman invited Sakic and 45 others - including the Avs' Ryan Smyth - to participate in the Aug. 24-27 orientation camp in Calgary, Alberta. Yzerman said at the NHL draft in Montreal that he intended to invite Sakic to the camp, regardless of whether Sakic had declared his intentions for next season. Sakic, who turns 40 on Tuesday, has told the team his decision, general manager Greg Sherman said. But the team has not made that public yet, and ..."

Sakic makes decision, will wait on announcement

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June 27

Denver Post

"Joe Sakic has made up his mind what he'll do next season. But whether the Avalanche captain has decided to retire or play a 21st NHL season remains a mystery. Avs general manager Greg Sherman said Friday night he met with Sakic recently in Denver and received word from him what his plans are. But Sherman would not say what they are, and said it could be a week or more before a public announcement is made. The team said Sakic, who turns 40 on July 7, is going on a family vacation, and nothing will be announced until at least after he returns. "He made his intentions clear, and in the coming weeks it will be addressed," Sherman said. In a conversation with The Denver Post late last week, ..."

Yzerman eyes Sakic for 2010 Olympics

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June 26

Denver Post

"If Joe Sakic wants to play for the Canadian Olympic team next year, Team Canada general manager Steve Yzerman would be very interested in having him. "If he intends to play, I'd like to bring him to camp," Yzerman said Thursday after Canada introduced its coaching staff, led by Detroit's Mike Babcock, at NHL draft festivities. Sakic, the Avalanche captain, still is mulling whether to return for a 21st NHL season. He said he will decide soon, possibly in the coming week. A three-time Canadian Olympian, Sakic led his country to the gold medal in 2002 at Salt Lake City, earning most valuable player honors. "I probably will give him a call, regardless of what he's doing," Yzerman said. "Even ..."

New GM Sherman joins club waiting on Sakic's decision

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June 5

Denver Post

"New Avalanche general manager Greg Sherman said Thursday that many big player-personnel decisions remain before next season, but one that is out of his hands is whether captain Joe Sakic will play a 21st NHL season. Like his predecessor, Francois Giguere, at this time last year, Sherman is just waiting to hear from Sakic about his plans. "Joe can make the decision on his terms," Sherman said. "Certainly, Joe has earned the respect and the time to make his decision." Sakic, who turns 40 on July 7, missed all but 15 games last season because of back and finger injuries. He might have to take a sizable pay cut from the $6 million he made last season if he returns, because of Avalanche salary ..."