Joe Sakic

Born:July 7, 1969Draft:1987 Nordiques, 15th overall
Hometown:Burnaby, BCPosition:Center
Known For:600 Goal ClubShoots:Left
National Team:CanadaCurrent Team:Colorado Avalanche
(President of Hockey Ops)

Joseph Steven Sakic (born July 7, 1969) is a Canadian professional ice hockey executive and former player. He is currently the President of Hockey Operations for the Colorado Avalanche. He played his entire 21-year National Hockey League (NHL) career with the Quebec Nordiques/Avalanche franchise. Named captain of the team in 1992 (after serving as a co-captain in 1990–91), Sakic is regarded as one of the greatest team leaders in league history and was able to consistently motivate his team to play at a winning level. Sakic led the Avalanche to Stanley Cup titles in 1996 and 2001, being named the most valuable player of the 1996 playoffs, and honoured as the MVP of the NHL in 2001 by the hockey writers and his fellow players. He is one of six players to participate in both of the team’s Stanley Cup victories. Sakic was also named to play in 13 NHL All-Star Games and selected to the NHL First All-Star Team at centre three times.


Over the course of his career, Sakic was one of the most productive forwards in the game, having twice scored 50 goals and earning at least 100 points in six different seasons. His wrist shot, considered one of the best in the NHL, was the source of much of his production as goalies around the league feared his rapid snap-shot release. At the conclusion of the 2008–09 NHL season, he was the eighth all-time points leader in the NHL, as well as 14th in all-time goals and 11th in all-time assists. During the 2002 Winter Olympics, Sakic helped lead Team Canada to its first ice hockey gold medal in 50 years, and was voted as the tournament’s most valuable player. He represented the team in six other international competitions, including the 1998 and 2006 Winter Olympics.

Joe Sakic, Colorado Avalanche
Joe Sakic, Colorado Avalanche (THW Archives)

Joe Sakic Statistics

Deeper Dive

Staff History

  • NHL Colorado Avalanche (Senior Advisor/Executive Advisor/Alternate Governor) 2011-2013
  • USHS-CO Mullen High (Assistant Coach) 2011-2013
  • QC Int PW Colorado Thunderbirds (Assistant Coach) 2012-2013
  • NHL Colorado Avalanche (Ex. VP of Hockey Operations) 2013-2021
  • NHL Colorado Avalanche (General Manager) 2014-2022
  • NHL Colorado Avalanche (President of Hockey Operations) 2022-present

Achievements

As a Player

  • IIHF Hall of Fame (2017)
  • Hockey Hall of Fame (2012)
  • NHL Foundation Player Award (2007)
  • 12x NHL All-Star Game (1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2007)
  • World Cup Gold Medal (2005)
  • NHL All-Star Game MVP (2004)
  • NHL First All-Star Team (2001, 2002, 2004)
  • Olympic All-Star Team (2002)
  • Olympic Best Forward (2002)
  • Olympic Gold Medal (2002)
  • Olympic Most Valuable Player (2002)
  • Triple Gold Club (2002)
  • Lady Byng Trophy (2001)
  • Hart Memorial Trophy (2001)
  • Ted Lindsay Award (2001)
  • 2x Stanley Cup Champion (Avalanche – 1996, 2001)
  • Conn Smythe Trophy (1996)
  • World Cup Runner Up (1996)
  • World Championship Gold Medal (1994)
  • World Championship Silver Medal (1991)
  • CHL Player of the Year (1988)
  • U20 WJC Gold Medal (1988)
  • WHL (East) First All-Star Team (1988)
  • WHL Most Goals (78) (1988)
  • WHL Most Points (Bobby Clarke Trophy) (160) (1988)
  • WHL Player of the Year (Four Broncos Trophy) (1988)
  • WHL (East) Second All-Star Team (1987)
  • WHL Player of the Year (Four Broncos Trophy) (East) (1987)
  • WHL Rookie of the Year (Jim Piggott Trophy) (1987)

As an Executive

Sources