Joe Sakic's Career Highlights: Only a Snow Blower Could Stop Him

When Joe Sakic officially announces his retirement, the NHL will not only be losing one of its best players of all-time, it's also going to be losing one of its best leaders and captains, and from nearly all accounts, an incredibly classy person. A rarity in the modern sports culture, Sakic spent his entire 20-year career with the same organization (Quebec/Colorado), scoring 625 goals and finishing with 1,641 points (eighth most all-time).

Awards and Milestones

Is it possible that Sakic was underrated during his career? I know, it's crazy to suggest a player that good could ever be underrated by anybody, but I asked the same question about Steve Yzerman when he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame back in June. The same theory applies here with Burnaby Joe: most of his career, his prime, anyway, was lost in the shadows of not only Wayne Gretzky, but mostly Mario Lemieux. Take, for example, the 1995-96 season when the Avalanche, in their first season in Colorado, won their first Stanley Cup.

Statistically, it was Sakic's best season, as he scored 51 goals to go with 69 assists for a total of 120 points. Such a number would have led the league this season by seven points. During the 1995-96 campaign, however, 120 points was good enough for just third place ... 41 behind Lemieux. Honestly, I don't think Sakic cares all that much, seeing as how he not only took home the Cup that season, but the Conn Smythe trophy as playoff MVP, as well, in what was one of the best playoff performances in recent league history.

His 34 points (including 18 goals) in 22 games is tied for ninth most all-time, while he's one of only 18 players to ever record 30 points in a single playoff run.

While the '95-96 season was, statistically, his best, the 2000-01 campaign brought Sakic the most hardware. The Avalanche won their second Stanley Cup, defeating the New Jersey Devils in seven games, while Sakic won the Hart Trophy as league MVP, the Lester B. Pearson Award, and the Lady Byng Trophy.

By the Numbers

2 -- The number of times in his career that Sakic scored 50 goals. Also the number of times his name appears on the Stanley Cup.

5 -- The number of times in his career that Sakic eclipsed the 40-goal plateau. It's also the number of times he recorded at least 100 points in a season.

7 -- The number of times in his career that Sakic registered over 60 assists.

19 -- The number of game-winning goals Sakic scored in his playoff career.

"How Do You Like Them Apples, Gilmour?"

Behold, the glory of Colorado Avalanche announcer Mike Haynes calling Sakic's 1999 fight with Doug Gilmour, then playing for the Chicago Blackhawks.



The Only Thing That Could Stop Him

A snow blower.

His Top 10 Goals

We end on this note. Sakic's top 10 goals in the NHL, as compiled by RDS.