SEDALIA — Speaking before his namesake golf tournament that serves as a fundraiser for the Food Bank of the Rockies’ children’s programs, Avalanche captain Joe Sakic Thursday said he agonized and even waffled in the months leading up to the announcement of his decision to play a 20th NHL season in 2008-09.
“It was a long summer, obviously, with a lot of things to think about,” Sakic said before teeing off at Sanctuary on the day after the Avalanche announced he had agreed to a one-year, $6-million contract and decided not to retire.
“I’m excited with the decision I made, looking forward to the start of the season and getting on the ice. I’m going to start skating (Friday). The body and mind (are) fresh and ready to go and I’m excited about it.”
Sakic, 39, said the hernia problem that limited him to 44 games last season was a major issue in his deliberation.
“There was a lot of wavering, yeah,” he said. “It was a frustrating year with the injury. Three months of rehab wasn’t a lot of fun. At that point, I was contemplating what I wanted to do and it took longer than I thought. I’m happy I took the time I needed to come to this decision.”
Sakic conferred with his wife and three children — Mitchell, 12, and twins Chase and Kamryn, 8. He smiled and charactertized the household sentiment as “mixed. It wasn’t unanimous in the house.” Then he added, “No, Deb and the kids were supportive whichever way it went. Except for Mitchell. He demanded I play. He’s the one who just demanded. … I had the final vote.”
Sakic has lent his name and support to the Food Bank of the Rockies’ children’s programs for 11 years, and Thursday’s Joe Sakic Celebrity Classic followed last week’s fund-raising dinner at Inverness.
“What the Food Bank does for the community keeps growing,” Sakic said. “There’s 185,000 children who are in need of food and this tournament right here, we provide one million meals for them. Half of those kids are under 5. They can’t support themselves and it’s important that we give back, support the cause, and try to provide nutrition for them.”
The Thursday availability was planned before Sakic made his decision and re-signed, and Sakic will appear with Avalanche officials at a more extensive news conference next Tuesday.
Sakic, a Canadian citizen, wasn’t taking sides, but he made a joking reference to the major event going on in Denver this week. As his availability was beginning Thursday, he asked if he could step out from behind a podium and address the handful of media members more directly.
He stepped to his left and said, “It’s a Democratic thing.”
Terry Frei: 303-954-1895 or tfrei@denverpost.com
