Denver, CO - Joe Sakic took a ceremonial walk on the red carpet outside the Pepsi Center, just the start of his starry night as the Colorado Avalanche honoured their long-time captain, who retired over the summer.

View Large

Joe Sakic acknowledges the applauds of the Colorado Avalanche as Sakic's number was retired at the Pepsi Center on October 1, 2009 in Denver, Colorado.

Photograph by : Getty Images

ARTICLE TOOLS

• Printer friendly
• E-mail

Font:

• *
• *
• *
• *

After stepping into the arena, Sakic was greeted by fans lined up to see the face of their franchise for two decades. He then took a ceremonial walk into the Avalanche locker room and was greeted by players who respectfully wore his No. 19 jersey during a ceremony to raise his uniform to the rafters.

"I know just by standing here now, I know I'm going to miss this game," said Sakic. "I'm going to miss this dream playing in front of such great fans, especially this time of year knowing it's the home opener. You kind of get that itch."

The crowd responded, surprised by Sakic's punch at light humour, but with his wife and children on hand, he continued to thank the organization.

"This is something I can honestly tell you I never could have imagined or dreamed my career would have gone like this 36 years ago when I first wandered and dreamed of playing hockey," said Sakic.

A virtual lock for the Hall of Fame, the 40-year-old Sakic announced his retirement back in July.

The Burnaby, British Columbia native spent his entire 20-year career with the organization that drafted him, a feat rarely accomplished in today's sports world with athletes changing addresses at a high rate through free agency.

He led the Avs to a pair of Stanley Cup titles and also won the Hart Trophy in 2000-01.

A first-round draft pick of the Quebec Nordiques back in 1987, Sakic departed the game as the franchise's all-time leader with 625 goals, 1,016 assists and 1,641 points. Over that span, he recorded nine seasons of 30-or- more goals and six years of 100-or-more points.

"All I can say is you made everyone around you better and a true champion," said Pierre Lacroix, president of the Avalanche. "Thanks for the memories."