50 Things Every Avs Fan Should Know: Chapter 2

Entering its 28th season, the Colorado Avalanche organization holds decades of history. Joe Sakic became a household name for those early members of Avs Faithful and continues to have an influence on the team to this day.

Joe Sakic, current President of Hockey Operations, played his entire 20 season career with the Quebec Nordiques turned Colorado Avalanche. Sakic went on to work in the front office starting in March 2011 as an Executive Advisor/Alternate Governor. He was then named the Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations in 2013.

Sakic was drafted 15th overall by the Quebec Nordiques in the 1987 NHL Entry Draft. On October 6th, 1988, he made his NHL debut kicking off his historic 20 season career.

In 1992, Sakic was named captain of the Nordiques and eventually the Colorado Avalanche. He is the first person in NHL history to have won the Stanley Cup as a captain and General Manager within the same organization.

Joe Sakic was the first player in franchise history to be awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy in 1996. The Conn Smythe Trophy is awarded annually to the most valuable player on his team during the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Sakic is the only Avs player to win the Ted Lindsay Award (2001) for most outstanding player in the regular season as judged by members of the NHL Players Association.

Sakic represented his home country of Canada for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games, held in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he helped Team Canada bring home gold in men's hockey. He played alongside Avalanche teammates Adam Foote and Rob Blake.

Named to the 2004 NHL All-Star Team, Sakic was the first Avs player to be named as All-Star MVP after scoring a hat trick.

Joe Sakic is the only Avs player to win the NHL Foundation Player Award (2007) in recognition of his commitment and service to charities in his community.

Two days after his 40th birthday, July 9th, 2009, Joe Sakic announced his retirement from the National Hockey League.

On July 7th, 2022, Joe Sakic was awarded the Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year Award. The Jim Gregory award is voted on by a panel including all 32 NHL general managers, NHL executives and members of the media.