Burnaby Joe Sakic is part of the Class of 2013 to be inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame, along with athletes Russ Howard, Alison Sydor, André Viger, Kirsten Barnes, Brenda Taylor, Jessica Monroe-Gonin, Kay Worthington, Jennifer Walinga and builders Murray Costello and Jean-Guy Ouellet.
Canada's Sports Hall of Fame announced today the class of 2013, including Burnaby Joe Sakic, who began his journey to becoming a sport hero in the Lower Mainland suburb of Burnaby. Rounding out the group of athletes that is being recognized with Canada's highest sporting honour are game-changing curler Russ Howard, versatile cycling champion Alison Sydor, five-time Paralympian Andre_ Viger and the 1992
women's coxless 4 rowing olympic gold medallists Kirsten Barnes, Brenda Taylor, Jessica Monroe-Gonin, Kay Worthington and Jennifer Walinga. The builders who were announced as inductees are hockey visionary Murray Costello and sport development architect Dr. Jean-Guy Ouellet.
In attendance at the announcement were inductees Murray Costello, Dr. Jean-Guy Ouellet, Alison Sydor and Kay Worthington, as well as three-time Olympic gold medallist Marnie McBean, inducted in 1997 for rowing, Dr. Bruce Kidd, inducted in 1968 for track and field and who is now the chair of the honoured member selection committee, Ron Ellis, inducted in 2005 for hockey, Don Jackson, inducted in 1962 for figure skating and Dr. Gaétan Tardif, director of administration on the Canadian Paralympic Committee board of directors.
Growing up in Burnaby, Sakic showed promise at an early age. While attending Burnaby North Secondary School, he scored 156 points in just 80 games with the Burnaby Minor Selects hockey team.
Sakic is a fan favourite in his hometown and even has a street named after him, Joe Sakic Way, near the Bill Copeland Sports Centre. During his 21 NHL seasons, all with one organization, Sakic was able to amass two Stanley Cups in 1996 and 2001, a Conn Smythe Trophy, a Hart Trophy, a Lady Byng Trophy, and the Lester B. Pearson Award. He also found time to win an Olympic gold medal, gold at the World Championships, gold at the World Cup of Hockey, gold at the World Junior Championships and a Memorial Cup.
Sakic was a catalyst for change, a leader who looked for solutions within the group and was never looking for an easier path to success. He was the person who made those around him better. He was that player who made a team more confident, not because of what he said but because of what he did. When you think of Canadians, descriptions of unassuming, understated, unselfish, dependable, and team players are often used and this description would be fitting for Sakic.
The official inductions will take place on Oct. 16.
