Key Colorado Avalanche Stanley Cup players from the past: Joe Sakic
By Sean McKenna
*This is the first in a series that will highlight certain impact players from each of the past Colorado Avalanche Stanley Cup-winning teams. This weekly series will dive into both stars and lesser-name players, and should reprise some of the glory of past champions.*
The Colorado Avalanche have had a tremendous amount of success since moving from Quebec in 1995. Three Stanley Cups in twenty-eight years, countless awards handed out to individual players, and expert coaching mark the franchise since its move to Colorado.
The only way to begin a series examining the impact of players from past Stanley Cup-winning teams is to profile none other than Mr. Avalanche himself, Joe Sakic.
Joe Sakic was selected in the first round of the 1987 NHL draft by the Quebec Nordiques. The 5’11”, 185-pound center debuted in the NHL during the 1988-89 season with Quebec, scoring 62 points in 70 games.
Soon, Sakic would cement himself as a cornerstone of the franchise. During his time in Quebec, Sakic made an immediate impact. This impact continued to where it became expected, and Sakic delivered to the tune of 234 goals over his Nordiques career.
It’s what happened once Quebec moved the team to Colorado that Avalanche fans will remember Sakic for.
In 1995, the team began to play as the Colorado Avalanche. During that season, Sakic led the way with the best statistical season of his career, amassing 120 points by way of 51 goals and 69 assists. Colorado finished the season with 104 points and won the Pacific Division that year, catapulting them into the playoffs.
Sakic did not slow down in the playoffs. Over 22 games, he scored 18 goals and added 14 assists, winning the Conn Smythe trophy as the playoffs’ most valuable player. The Avalanche won their first Stanley Cup and could not have done it without Joe’s contributions.
Sakic would not be Mr. Avalanche if he just stopped there. He continued his career with the Colorado Avalanche and remained at this high pace for years. During his Avalanche tenure, Sakic amassed 392 goals to go along with 624 assists which totaled 1,016 points.
Sakic was also an integral part of the 2001 Avalanche Stanley Cup-winning team. This was Sakic’s best season awards-wise, as he won the Hart Memorial Trophy for the NHL’s most valuable player and won the Lady Byng trophy for best sportsmanship and gentlemanly behavior on the ice. Sakic also won what was then called the Lester B. Pearson trophy, awarded to the most outstanding player during the regular season.
Joe also led the team in scoring during the regular season with 118 points, second in the NHL only to Jaromir Jagr.
Sakic shone bright during this playoff run. After star Peter Forsberg went down with an injury after the semi-finals, it was believed the Avalanche would not be able to overcome the injury. Sakic had different thoughts, putting the Avalanche on his back to win the franchise’s second Stanley Cup, defeating the New Jersey Devils in seven games. Sakic was the leading scorer for the team during that run, totaling 26 points during the playoffs.
In true gentlemanly fashion, upon receipt of Lord Stanley’s chalice from Commissioner Gary Bettman, Sakic immediately gave the Cup to Ray Bourque, who had been waiting 26 years to hoist it. I’m sure Lady Byng was happy seeing that.
Sakic played several more seasons in Colorado, retiring in 2009. The Avalanche retired Joe’s #19 jersey prior to the next season. Sakic was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2012.
For those of you new to Colorado Avalanche hockey, and those of you who’ve followed since 1995, Sakic should be at the forefront of people to know when talking Avalanche hockey. He was an unbelievable player, a great leader, and made a lasting impact on the franchise.