Colorado Avalanche C Joe Sakic Inspires Greatness
By Ross Sellers
Colorado Avalanche legend Joe Sakic was such a leader in the game that he continues to inspire greatness.
There is a reason no one will ever wear the No. 19 within the Colorado Avalanche organization ever again; there is a reason the No. 19 will forever hang from the rafters long after Joe has left the organization, and there is a reason why players like Jonathan Toews still sport the number today.
Indeed, in one of Toews’ first games ever in the NHL he faced off against Joe Sakic — his childhood hero — and he won. Both are sporting the No. 19, and Joe Sakic was only a few years away from seeing that number lifted to immortality.
Toews would also only be a few years removed from donning the “C” himself, something Sakic wore as an Avalanche and Nordique for nearly 17 years.
I only bring this up about Jonathan Toews because it shows the impact a childhood hero can have toward the growth and development on a future and aspiring hockey player.
Toews is without a doubt — in my mind — the best center in the game today because of everything he brings to the ice when he steps on it.
Perhaps the most important quality that he brings to his game is leadership, something that Sakic radiated in both Stanley Cup runs, and something that he is still providing today for the Colorado Avalanche.
If you don’t know by now then you must be living under a rock, but Patrick Roy has resigned from the organization, and Joe Sakic is the sole leader behind decisions concerning hockey operations now.
So, the vision of this team will once again be entirely lead by Joe Sakic, their success will hinge on his ability to formulate a roster, and his leadership in that regard will ultimately determine how well the Avalanche do in the future.
He’s in a familiar role for the Avalanche, and as much as his previous accolades — such as handing the Cup to Ray Bourque in a classy move, his lack of quotability, or the unfettering nature of his leadership in two Stanley Cup runs — he will now be under more scrutiny then ever before.
What I mean is that Joe Sakic is attempting to take the Avalanche back to contention, back to relevance and back to dominance.
Colorado Avalanche fans know what the glory days looked like, and they expect nothing less of their team because of those moments of glory.
So, even though Joe Sakic lead this team to two Stanley Cups within the first 6 years they existed in Colorado, his job becomes more strenuous now.
Sakic is tasked with bringing that success back to Colorado from a management position, a position where he cannot control the performance of the players.
It’s now or never in Colorado, the team needs to make the playoffs next year, and Joe Sakic will be instrumental in that run as he searches for a head coach capable of facilitating that result.
Next: Barrie Deal Vindicates Sakic
As much as I appreciate what he brought to this team in the glory days, my focus toward those glory years is milked over by the role he now holds with the Colorado Avalanche, and the future of next season.