Joseph Steven Sakic (; born July 7, 1969) is a Canadian retired professional
ice hockey player and current hockey executive. He played his entire 21-year
National Hockey League (NHL) career with the
Quebec Nordiques/
Colorado Avalanche franchise. Named
captain of the team in
1992 (after serving as a co-captain in
1990–91), Sakic is regarded as one of the most able team leaders in league history and was able to motivate his team to play at a winning level. Sakic led the Avalanche to
Stanley Cup titles in 1996 and 2001, being named the
most valuable player of the
1996 playoffs, and honored as the
MVP of the NHL in 2001 by the
hockey writers and his
fellow players. As such, he is one of six Avalanche players in franchise history to participate in both of the team's Stanley Cup victories. Sakic was also named to play in 13
NHL All-Star Games and selected to the NHL First All-Star Team at
centre three times.