Joe Sakic retired Thursday after a spectacular 20 year career in the NHL. Sakic spent his entire career with the Avalanche organization (Quebec Nordiques moved to Denver for the 1995-96 season) and led them to the first major sport championship in Denver. Sakic became the face of the Avalanche and was one of the most popular sports figures in Colorado. Patrick Roy and Peter Forsberg were also popular in Denver, but neither of them played as long as Sakic for the Avs. Losing Sakic will be a big blow to the Avalanche in the coming season...both on the ice and off.

Joe Sakic was best known for his laser wrist shots. He could simply flick his wrists and opposing goalies had to scramble to stop the pinpoint placed pucks. Sakic was such a gifted offensive player that he could score from nearly anywhere on the ice. Sakic was not only a scorer but a team player. He would make an extra pass even if he had a shot. He would get back and help on defense when the opposing team had an odd man rush. Sakic is what you call a team player, whatever the team needed he did. When trying to compare Joe Sakic with other sports names from Denver, the only one that fits is John Elway. Both of these players were great athletes, but they played with a winning attitude and motivated their teammates by playing with great energy. When their team needed them, they put the team on their back and led the way. Needless to say,  losing Joe Sakic is the biggest loss for Colorado sports fans since the retirement of John Elway.

Super Joe was not only super on the ice. He was a great citizen and became a big part of the Denver community. Sakic was one of the classiest and admirable sports figures Denver has ever seen. In a time when players are getting caught with 'performance enhancing drugs', shooting up night clubs, killing pedestrians while driving drunk (and the list goes on and on), Sakic stands out as a true icon. Sakic was a family man, an excellent teammate and an important part of the Denver community. The best word to describe Joe Sakic is CLASS. Sakic had more class than most players will dream of having.

While I want to thank Joe Sakic for the awesome years he spent in Denver, it's now time to look to the future. The Avalanche are coming off their worst season since moving to Denver. They finished last in the western conference and were the 3rd worst team in the entire NHL (giving them the 3rd pick in the 09' draft). The Avs picked Matt Duchene with their first round draft selection. Duchene is highly thought of around NHL circles, many experts thought he could have been the first pick. Duchene will be a key for the future of the Avalanche organization. The future will be filled with young unproven players and Matt Duchene will lead the way. Hopefully Duchene can play 20 years and when he retires, Avs fans can compare him to Joe Sakic, one of the best players to ever play in the NHL.