Avs great Joe Sakic appointed to Hockey Hall of Fame selection committee

TORONTO — Colorado Avalanche president of hockey operations Joe Sakic has been appointed to the Hockey Hall of Fame selection committee.

Sakic, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2012, will fill the vacancy left by Bob Clarke’s retirement at the end of 2022.

Sakic, a native of Burnaby, B.C., was a first-round pick of the Quebec Nordiques in the 1987 NHL draft.

He spent his entire 20-year NHL career with the Quebec/Colorado franchise, leading it to two Stanley Cups as a player and another last season as an executive.

He finished his playing career after the 2008-09 season with 1,641 points (625 goals, 1,016 assists) in 1,378 games.

An NHL first team all-star on three occasions, Sakic also played for Canada at three Olympic Games, winning gold and being named tournament MVP in 2002.

Sakic joined the Avalanche's front office in 2011 and was named general manager in 2014. He held the post until assuming a new role as president of hockey operations after last season.

"I wish to express our appreciation and gratitude to Bob for his distinguished service as a member of the Selection Committee over the past nine years and at the same time we are thrilled to welcome Joe as our newest member,” Hall of Fame board chair Lanny McDonald said in a release.

The selection committee will next meet June 21 and 22 to determine the Class of 2023 inductees.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 11, 2023.