Joe Sakic (born July 7, 1969 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada) is a professional ice hockey player. He plays as a centre. (Although media guides list his birthplace as Burnaby, he was actually born in Vancouver; he grew up in Burnaby.) A fan favourite in the Vancouver region, a street in Burnaby has been named, "Joe Sakic Way" in his honour.

Playing Career

Joseph Steven Sakic was drafted 15th overall by the Quebec Nordiques in the 1987 NHL Entry Draft , he moved with the franchise as they became the Colorado Avalanche, later leading them to the Stanley Cup in 1996 and 2001. Sakic is known for his prolific offensive skills and is the captain of the Colorado Avalanche.

The son of Croatian immigrants (his father is from Imotski , his mother from Lika), Joe didn't speak English until he entered kindergarten. During his time in the minor leagues, he was named the 1988 Canadian Major Junior Player of the Year.

He had 2 goals and 2 assists in Canada's gold medal win over Team USA in the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City and was named its MVP, and also played a part in Canada's triumph in the 2004 World Cup of Hockey.

He and his wife Debbie have three children, son Mitchell, and fraternal twins Chase (boy) and Kamryn (girl).

Awards

• 1996 - Conn Smythe Trophy
• 2001 - Hart Memorial Trophy
• 2001 - Lady Byng Memorial Trophy
• 2001 - Bud Light Plus/Minus Award
• 2001 - Lester B. Pearson Award
• Played in 9 NHL All-Star Games - 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2002, 2004.

Records

• Most game-winning goals in playoffs (6)
• Colorado Avalanche franchise record for points (1,402)

Career Statistics

International Play

• 1991 - Played for Canada in the World Championships
• 1994 - Played for Canada in the World Championships
• 1996 - Silver medal for Canada in the World Cup of Hockey
• 1998 - Played for Canada in the 1998 Winter Olympics
• 2002 - Gold medal for Canada in the 2002 Winter Olympics
• 2004 - Gold medal for Canada in the World Cup of Hockey

|- style="text-align: center;" | width="30%" |Preceded by:
Claude Lemieux | width="40%" style="text-align: center;" |Conn Smythe Trophy Winner
1996 | width="30%" |Succeeded by:
Mike Vernon

|- style="text-align: center;" | width="30%" |Preceded by:
Chris Pronger | width="40%" style="text-align: center;" |Hart Memorial Trophy Winner
2001 | width="30%" |Succeeded by:
Jose Theodore

|- style="text-align: center;" | width="30%" |Preceded by:
Pavol Demitra | width="40%" style="text-align: center;" |Lady Byng Trophy Winner
2001 | width="30%" |Succeeded by:
Ron Francis

|- style="text-align: center;" | width="30%" |Preceded by:
Jaromir Jagr | width="40%" style="text-align: center;" |Lester B. Pearson Award Winner
2001 | width="30%" |Succeeded by:
Jarome Iginla