Joe Sakic Night

As much of an admitted homer as I am, I doubt that anybody can disagree with me in my absolute awe of one of the greatest hockey players of all time, Joe Sakic.

Joe Sakic is one of a dying breed. Not too many players in any sport, let alone just in hockey, ever spend their entire career with the same team. Not only with the same team, but remaining at such a high skill level from day 1. He may have possessed the most potent and dangerous wrist shot in the entire game. Just ask any goalie that had to face it! 2 time Stanley Cup winner, Conn Smythe trophy winner, Hart Trophy winner, Lady Byng Trophy winner, Gold Medal Winner, MVP of the Olympic Tournament, 2 time 50 goal scorer, over 600 career goals, etcetera, etcetera! What hasn't this guy done?

As aweinspiring as his numbers have been through the years, what makes him even more of an amazing player is how he handles himself on and off the ice. I don't think a person in the league who has ever played him has anything bad to say about him. He's just a classy guy. He scores his goal and immediately looks for the guy who passed him the puck. He gets the cup handed to him and immediately gives it to Ray Borque, and just says he did it because he "thought it was the right thing to do..." A guy who, because Steve Yzerman wasn't selected to an Olympic team, refused to wear the number 19 out of respect. In a time where we see football players change their name to "ochocinco", and try to post tweets in the middle of games, it is so refreshing to know that people like Joe Sakic still exist.

I have always loved watching the Avalanche play. From when they first got to Colorado up until now. Joe Sakic has always been a part of those teams. I have to say that it's already a little weird to see somebody else with a C on their sweater. But I have to say that I, and everybody else that has watched him play, have been absolutely blessed to watch him. So, on Joe Sakic night, I want to boil all of this down to one simple thing. Thank you. Thank you, Super Joe. Thanks for the memories.