BLOG: Hossa Reflects on Career Before Jersey Retirement

Ceremony is set to start at 4:30 p.m. CST on Sunday and can be seen on NBCSCH, MyTeamsApp (In Market) & ESPN+ (Out of Market). More info regarding the event can be found here.
On Sunday evening, Marian Hossa will watch as his number 81 rise high into the rafters of the United Center, becoming the seventh player in Chicago Blackhawks history to have his jersey retired.
When the former right winger first joined the NHL back in 1997, he set a goal for himself to one day win the Stanley Cup. He first made it to the cusp with the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2008 Stanley Cup Final, then in 2009 with the Detroit Red Wings -- both times watching his opponent lift Lord Stanley at the end of the series. Finally, in 2010, he reached his ultimate goal with the Blackhawks, helping lead the team to their first of three championships in his first six years with the team.
"I had my goal and I was focusing to achieve that goal," Hossa said on Wednesday evening ahead. "Even after losses, I tried to still focus on my goal and my determination. I think the discipline got me there and obviously, I played with so many great players. I have to thank them, the coaching staff and management [because] without them, I wouldn't be here."

In his 19 seasons in the NHL. spanning five different teams, Hossa notched a total of 1,134 points with 525 goals and 609 assists through 1,309 regular-season games. In 107 Stanley Cup Playoff games with Chicago, he tallied 73 points (21G, 52A) while hoisting the Cup in 2010, 2013 and 2015. His career ended at the age of 37 after suffering from a painful skin condition that forced him to step away from the game.
Going into Sunday evening, the Stara Lubovna, Slovakia native couldn't fathom the emotions he'll feel watching as his banner rises to the United Center rafters.
"When I look up and look at those jerseys hanging there, it just hits me again," Hossa said. "It's just amazing feeling that in a few days, my 81 will be."
Although he played his last game in 2017, Hossa still keeps in contact with his former teammates, especially Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane. He keeps tabs on the two veteran forwards, often texting them after watching the Blackhawks highlights in the morning while his children get ready for school.
Seeing his former teammate become the first player out of their three-cup run receive the honor, it reminds Toews just how much time has flown since their Stanley Cup reign.
"It'll be special," Toews said of Hossa's jersey retiring. "It definitely brings you back and I realize time has flown by since he was a Blackhawk. We can all imagine the reaction he's going to get from the fans and how much he means to Chicago. It'll be pretty cool to see that. It's a special moment for him to get his jersey retire, which doesn't happen every day, but it's much deserved and we'll all be pretty lucky to be a part of that with him."
While the team on the ice looks much different than the one Hossa left in the summer of 2017, not only does he have obvious connections with Kane and Toews, but also with current head coach Luke Richardson during in his first years with the Ottawa Senators, facing the veteran defenseman though the two just missed each other in their respective Ottawa tenures.
Richardson described Hossa as a tough player to face on the ice but admired person everywhere he went.
"He was a big part of the organization through their championship years," Richardson said. "In Ottawa, I was there after he played there as well, and he was always well liked. He was hard to play against, but kind of a gentleman at the same time. So, I think anywhere, he's gone I think he's done very well and made other players better. It's not surprising that they're going to honor him here so I'm sure it'll be a special night for him on Sunday."
Locker stall mate Kane recalled the moment he heard the rumors back in the summer of 2009 that Hossa could possibly join the team. Referencing it as the 'greatest free agent signing in Chicago sports,' he reminisced on how impressive the former Blackhawk was offensively and how much he brought to the team in key moments or in the locker room.

"He always seemed to be very even-keel no matter what was going on," Kane said. "Whether highs or lows with the team or highs and lows with himself personally, he always seemed to be the same person. So, I think he knew it was a long season, a lot of games and didn't waste any energy on getting too high or too low."

When he first joined the league, Hossa said he felt his playing styling was more as a defensive forward instead of someone who scored goals. Once he joined the Red Wings and played with Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk, he felt he began to find the back of the net a lot easier.
Once he joined the Blackhawks, he was able to combined his two skills together. He knew he could work with the talent around him to help lead the team to multiple playoff runs.
"When I joined the Detroit Red Wings in that year, it gave me so much even when we lost, I learned from the best to play the right way," Hossa said. "I think when I came to Chicago, I saw so much talent, so I knew I didn't have to worry about scoring goals that much like maybe other teams."
Looking back on his career, he continues to think of the hard-fought battles that he and his teammates did in order to secure the Stanley Cup and feels grateful for the opportunity that the team gave him.
Throughout the week leading up to Sunday, Hossa returned to Chicago last Friday to make appearances to promote his new book, 'Marian Hossa: My Journey from Trencin to the Hall of Fame' and catch up with old teammates. When he and his family landed in the city, he noted the smiles that lit up their faces to show how much Chicago has meant to them.
Although, Hossa has been doing other side projects since his last hockey game, he still wants to stay connected with the Blackhawks and hopes to one day join a small role within the organization.
"I want to be connected with this team, I want to be connected with the city, where we had the success, the best years, and definitely like to be a small part with the Blackhawks organization," Hossa said. "It's been a long time, but I'll try to make sure I'm going to make the right decision with what part I will take."