Joe Sakic

Joe Sakic is a Canadian center on the Colorado Avalanche.

Sakic has been one of the pillars of the franchise since being drafted 15th overall in 1987, while the franchise was still located in Quebec. He broke into the league in 1988, finishing his rookie season with 62 points. In only his third career season, he was named co-captain of the team. After leading the Nordiques back to the playoffs after a number of last place finishes, Sakic moved to Colorado with the team, where he became a center piece of one of the most successful teams in the late ‘90s. In 1996, he was named playoff MVP and awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy after captaining the Avalanche to their first Stanley Cup. That season he recorded a career high in points with 120. Over the next few seasons he suffered a number of injuries, but continued to perform at an elite level. In 2001, Sakic won the NHL scoring trophy with 118 points, including 54 goals. He also won the Lester B Pearson award and the Lady Byng as the league’s most outstanding and classiest player. He followed this incredible season by leading Colorado to another Stanley Cup title. Sakic has continued to perform well, despite his age and Colorado’s recent run of disappointing seasons. He is the second oldest player, behind Gordie Howe, to record 100 points in a season, and has over 600 goals and 1000 assists in his career, good enough for 8th all time in points and 14th all time in goals. Sakic has played in 12 All Star Games, and is the all time leader in assists during All Star contests.

Sakic has played for Team Canada at 7 different international tournaments. He won 4 gold medals at the 2002 Winter Olympics, the 1994 World Championships, the 2004 World Cup and the 1988 World Juniors. He also won silvers at the 1991 World Championships and 1996 World Cup. His gold medals at the World Championships and the Winter Olympics, combined with his Stanley Cup victory, makes him one of an elite number of players who have won all three trophies.