The leadership role for Canada in Men’s Hockey at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver is now up for grabs. Colorado Avalanche superstar Joe Sakic is retiring from the only franchise he has every played for. Quite likely he will be the last player in the NHL to play for only one organization over an entire career. It is unlikely that Sakic will play in the upcoming Olympics although Steve Yzerman has extended him an invitation to Team Canada’s training camp in August.
Sakic leaves the game with two Stanley Cup titles, an Olympic Gold Medal and a Lady Byng Trophy for sportsmanship and outstanding play to go along with a League MVP Award. Known as ‘Burnaby Joe’ by fans around Vancouver, the Burnaby, B.C. born Sakic, leaves the NHL among the top 15 players of all time in goals, assists and points and leads the Avalanche record books in almost every offensive category.
Whether Joe plays in 2010 or not, it would be great for former Olympic Team Member and Team Canada Men’s Hockey Executive Director Steve Yzerman to offer Sakic some role with the Team. Joe Sakic deserves to be part of Team Canada in Vancouver for the 2010 Winter Olympics, he’s earned it!
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