After 20 years, "Super Joe" Sakic is retiring from the NHL: http://avalanche.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=436611 His stats are simply amazing, all the while remaining an excellent human being with more modesty than your local convent. As a HUGE Sakic fan, I will miss him dearly. Joe was my absolute favorite player in the NHL, and I have (2) Sakic jerseys. I'm considering going to the opening night game in CO to see his jersey retired to the rafters. The past few seasons, I would purchase extra tickets for the CBJ vs. COL games for friends and family, letting them enjoy- in person- how awesome Joe was. I really don't have a reason to do that anymore. I hope that he remains in hockey, in some way (mgmt., coaching, etc.). It will make the NHL a better league if he's in it. I promise. So Joe, thanks for all those great years, the great games, and the most twisted wrister in the biz! HUGE THUMBS DOWN TO: - Gary Bettman. The commish of the NHL couldn't take 10 minutes out of his busy (off-season) day to write a note to Joe thanking him for helping make the NHL great as an ambassador of the sport and excellent role model for youth players. Punkass. - ESPN for their complete lack of coverage of this historic event. Nothing on TV. Nothing on radio. Apparently some kid dunking over LeBron is more news-worthy, and somehow MMA makes the front page of their website. You fail.
Yep, Sakic was/is a class act. Seeing him, Yzerman, LaFontaine, Gretzky, Lemieu, etc. play was a pleasure to say the least... my God... think of the incredible hockey talent we've had in the last 20 years!
