Are We Sacked Without Sakic?

Canadian hockey player Joe Sakic will have to respectfully decline an invitation to attend Canada's 2010 Olympic hockey team orientation camp this August.

The 40-year-old Burnaby, B.C. native held back tears and officially announced his retirement in a Denver news conference after a career that spanned 20 seasons in the NHL.

The first question from the media came: why not play one more season and represent Canada in the Olympics?

"Two years ago, I thought for sure I'd be able to make it through the Olympics, but when I hurt my back, I had an idea that this was probably going to be my last year," said Sakic, admitting the back injury cost him a lot of leg strength also. "I tried real hard to come back and see if I can do it. But you have to face reality, and I didn't think I could be the player that I want to be, so it was time for me go."

He ruled out any possibility of making an Olympic comeback this fall or winter, saying he doesn't feel he can elevate his game to the level required. He, however, said he would be honoured to accept an off-ice role with the team if one is offered to him.

He finishes his career as one of the most decorated hockey players to ever play. Sakic is a three-time Olympian, having participated in the 1998, 2002 and 2006 Olympic Winter Games. As a long-time captain of the Colorado Avalanche, Sakic was a part of two Stanley Cup titles (1996, 2001) and served as captain of the team for 16 consecutive seasons, making him the second-longest serving captain in NHL history.

Steve Yzerman, Executive Director of Team Canada for the 2010 Games, had invited Sakic to attend the August camp and vie for a position on Team Canada for a fourth time.

"(Sakic's) humility and the class with which he always conducted himself I greatly admired," Yzerman said in a statement. "He was a great leader and competitor who always played his best hockey at the most important times. Joe possessed one of the quickest and most accurate wrist shots I have witnessed. I believe he retires as one of the greatest clutch players in the history on the NHL."

In 2002, Sakic was named Olympic MVP after lifting Team Canada to its first gold medal in 50 years. He led Canada in scoring (4-3-7) and was the third top scorer in the tournament. He went on to captain the Canadian team at the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Turin.

Sakic also helped Canada win gold at the 2004 World Cup of Hockey, the 1994 IIHF World Championship and 1988 IIHF World Junior Championship.

"I always admired Joe's talent and determination as a player, and I was honoured to be his teammate when we won a gold medal for Canada in the 2002 Olympics," said Mario Lemieux, who also played alongside Sakic on their way to gold at the 2004 world championship tournament.

"In addition to his tremendous accomplishments on the ice. Joe also was a first-class person and leader. I want to congratulate him on an exceptional career."

Injuries over the last two years kept Sakic from playing to his full potential. He retires as the eighth-leading scorers in league history with 1,641 career points.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said that Sakic will be remembered as a "consummate professional who led by example, led by achievement and led by his commitment to the highest standards of skill and sportsmanship. While the "C" on his jersey stood for captain, it also stood for courage, character, class, Canada and Colorado. We thank Joe for his many contributions and wish him and his family all the best in the future."

 

SOURCE: http://www.tsn.ca/