Saku Koivu retires

[JSK81 400]

After 18 seasons in the NHL, the older Koivu brother decides to retire.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=461409

Thank you, Saku, for all the great moments.

[chippa13 1844]

I always liked and respected Saku, even when he was with the hated Canadiens.

[althoma1 574]

I've always liked Saku; especially when he was with the beloved Canadiens. I see what you're saying though chippa - there are certain guys you can't hate even when they're on rival teams. Bergeron would be one of those guys on the Bruins.

Saku has always been and still is a classy player and person. He was also very talented and provided a lot of great memories. Hopefully he'll stay involved with the game in some capacity.

[RadioGaGa 162]

The standing ovation he got the night he returned from Cancer in Game 80 of the regular season, after being diagnosed prior to Training Camp was phenomenal.

The fans giving him a standing Ovation in his last game in Montreal as a member of the Ducks was a close second.

If I'm not mistaken, he was named 1st, 2nd & 3rd Star that night

[ibeck 38]

Amazing the impact a player can have on a city. Pained me to watch gomez wear 11 when he was in montreal. Q

[RadioGaGa 162]

I was thrilled when Gally changed to 11. He embodies a lot of what Saku did as a player. Needed to get the bad karma of Gomez off #11.

Muller

Koivu

Gomez

...one of these things is not like the others...one of these things doesn't belong!

[215BroadStBullies610 434]

Always liked the way he played. Smart and skilled while having the ideal work ethic.

[chippa13 1844]

Gallagher still has a little bit of punk in him that guys like Muller and Koivu didn't. Maybe a little maturity will take care of that because I like most of his game.

[RadioGaGa 162]

I don't consider him a "punk" but I see why you would. I just think it's the chip he's had to have on his shoulder all his life, playing this game at that size.

Like I said...my glasses are rose coloured...I do see why you would say that. I think Marchand is a punk! haha

[chippa13 1844]

I think everybody thinks Marchand is a punk. I can't count how many times I've watched him and muttered, "just play the damn game".

[JSK81 400]

I wish people wouldn't even mention Marchand in a thread dedicated to one of the classiest players.

[RadioGaGa 162]

I wish people wouldn't even mention Marchand in a thread dedicated to one of the classiest players.

I thought that after I posted it. My bad!

[psh 25]

Other than how utterly reliable and classy he was, the two enduring memories I'll have of Koivu are:

1. The broken stick off of the faceoff in Turin. Gold medal game tied, Koivu's stick snaps on the faceoff and he races to the bench, Sundin controls, hits Forsberg with a pass who, in turn, drops it to Lidstrom. Goal. Essentially a 5 on 4. Koivu's best shot at a gold medal was lost in the most cruel of fashions.

2. Koivu donating the PET scanner to Montreal General Hospital after his recovery from cancer. He said he made the donation in Montreal and not Finland because he was so grateful for the support he received from the community. But, what was most remarkable to me was his statement about the scanner saving his life and his feeling moved to donate one to the community because he thought everyone should have access to the same lifesaving technology. Koivu is a guy who truly values what is important. Hockey will miss him. Professional sports, and the world in general, needs more like him.