Thanks For Everything, Super Joe
Avalanche fans, and hockey fans around the world, gather to celebrate one of hockey's most shining ambassadors.
It was a night hockey fans won’t soon forget. After one of the most illustrious careers ever to grace the ice, Joe Sakic’s #19 Jersey was officially retired and raised to the rafters last night, to hang alongside 77 (Ray Bourque) and 33 (Patrick Roy) as a monument to some of the greatest hockey ever played and the first championship trophy to be paraded down the streets of Denver. In another nice gesture, the city renamed a portion of 19th Street in Lodo near Market “Joe Sakic Way” until the 19th of October. I think it should be permanent, myself, but I won’t argue.
The ceremony was just what you would expect for Joe – classy and impactful, without excessive flash. He carried himself with the appropriate humility, but also accepted his place in history and seemed genuinely appreciative of the night’s festivities. As he entered the arena, cameras followed him through the locker room (where his locker stall is enshrined – not even Patty Roy got that treatment) as he greeted the current team, then through the tunnel and onto the ice. He clearly relished every moment – as he should. Watch the view from Section 144 as the banner gets raised -
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And lest you forget… there was a hockey game last night. It’s just nice to see hockey back in the picture. Joe dropped the puck for the ceremonial face-off, which oddly enough involved Adam Foote and Rob Blake. Then, the future of the team, Matt Duchene, took the opening faceoff. No pressure, huh kid? Just jump in at 18 years old and take the faceoff that belongs to Joe Sakic. And while you’re at it, you want to quarterback the Broncos too? But let me say this… that kid, and his kid buddy O’Reilly, look good. They play with unbridled energy. We’ll see how the grind of an 82 game season against the best in the world affects that, but if this is what we have to look forward to, there’s going to be some good hockey at the Pepsi Center once again, and it will be sooner than you think. It’s LaCroix’s version of the Kid Rocks… what do you call them? The Snowballs? Either way – this young team looks promising. The defense played with tenacity, and Anderson was *gasp* great in goal. 19 saves in the 3rd period (gotta love every appearance of 19), many of them acrobatic, and many of them shorthanded. San Jose at a full 2 minutes of 5 on 3, and the Avs killed it off brilliantly. It’s been a long time since the Pepsi Center crowd has chanted the name of the home team goalie, but it happened last night.
That’s right – hockey is back in the Rocky Mountains, and while this team may not contend seriously for the playoffs this year, the future is bright for the boys in burgundy, and I for one can’t wait to see how it goes.
I think it would make me sad if there were ever a discussion over who the greatest Avalanche player of all time was, and the immediate decision was not Joe Sakic. Sad… and kinda angry.
Thanks Joe. You gave me a love of hockey. I am forever grateful.