Joe Sakic (born 1969) is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre of Croatian origin, who has played his entire National Hockey League career with the Quebec Nordiques/Colorado Avalanche franchise. In his 19-year tenure, Sakic has won the Stanley Cup twice, various NHL trophies, and has been voted into 13 NHL All-Star Games. Named captain of the team in 1992, he is regarded as one of the strongest team leaders to ever play in the league, and has been able to motivate his team throughout his entire career to play at a winning level. Over the course of his career, Sakic has been 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 to be one of the best in the NHL, has been the source of much of his production. At the conclusion of the 2007–08 NHL season, he was the 8th 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 gold medal in 50 years, and was voted as the tournament's most valuable player.
