Sports Radio Interviews

Joe Sakic: My Body Prevented Me From Playing Next Season

To me, the great thing about Joe Sakic is that when he speaks, he conveys the message that playing this game is a privilege.  Joe makes it sound like he’s 7-years-old; getting his joy from looking down the bench and hearing his coach call his name.  He knows he isn’t bigger than the game; the game has provided a forum to display his hard work and skills.  The disappointment in his voice over not being able to suit up for Canada in his home province of British Columbia in next year’s Olympics is disheartening.  Who knows though?  Since he is so passionate about returning for those two weeks, maybe he can train hard enough, find somewhere other than the NHL to play, and still be selected.  Joe Sakic joined 104.3 The Fan in Denver to discuss how difficult this whole process was, when he knew it was time to go, and when it really hit him he was retiring.

How difficult was this day where you announced your retirement?

“When you get older, you know this day is coming, and you don’t know when, and you think you’re ready for it, it was tough, it was tough.  And, I really found it tough because I started writing out my speech and everything on Sunday; oooh, it was a tough time… I was looking forward to the end of my speech… I thought it was gonna be easy.  I think it was also tough because this is it, this is the end, this is officially when you’re officially announcing you’re leaving the game you played your whole life, and the game that you love.  Then, yeah, you remember all the good times, playing on these teams, and winning championships.  And, at the time, you’re not that emotional – you won a Stanley Cup, perfect, you’re so excited, but the emotion doesn’t come.  Maybe when it was when I turned 40 two days ago – I started getting a little more emotional.”

How did you know this day was coming?

“I always said to myself, ‘I’ll know when it’s time to go and that’s when I can’t be the player that I wanna be.’  I expect a lot out of myself; there’s nothing like being on the bench and a coach is looking down on you and just saying, ‘I want him on the ice, now,’ playing for whatever situation.  I kinda always felt when that would stop, it was time for me to go.”

Would you have played forever if your body held up?

“I don’t know if I would have played forever, but I definitely would have played next year, for that chance to come back and play, and obviously play in your hometown Olympics.  How many people have that opportunity?  I worked as hard as I could for as long as I could, at the end of the day, the only reason I’m not coming back is I don’t feel like I can do what I wanna do.  And, that’s when I always told myself, it was time to leave.”

Listen to Joe Sakic on 104.3 The Fan in Denver

Tags: Colorado Avalanche, hockey, Joe Sakic, NHL