It is with emotion that the former Slovak striker Marian Hossa saw his number 81 being hoisted to the heights of the United Center on Sunday, moments before a duel between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Pittsburgh Penguins.
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Surrounded by his family, the 43-year-old man became the eighth player in the history of the “Hawks” to receive such an honor, after Glenn Hall, Keith Magnuson, Pierre Pilote, Bobby Hull, Denis Savard, Stan Mikita and Tony Esposito .
Hossa spent the last eight seasons of his career with the Chicago organization, amassing 415 points in 534 games and winning three Stanley Cups.
He was joined on the ice by the nucleus of athletes who gave life to this modern dynasty: forwards Patrick Sharp, Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane, as well as defensemen Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook and Niklas Hjalmarsson.
Numbers 19, 88 and 2 — belonging to Toews, Kane and Keith, respectively — will no doubt also be retired over the next few years.
“Obviously, I’ve played with so many great players,” Hossa humbly told the National Hockey League website. I have to thank them and our coaching staff and staff at the time. Without them, I wouldn’t be here today.”
High praise for a complete player
Hossa has rubbed shoulders with several great players during his 1309 game career. He also played with the Ottawa Senators, Atlanta Thrashers, Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins. It was with them that he met Sidney Crosby.
“He was an excellent player, recalled number 87. I remember that in our first games together, he easily passed me in our defensive recesses. We praise him a lot for his offensive skills, but he was very reliable defensively.
One of the biggest reasons the Blackhawks have failed since 2016, Kane says, is Hossa’s retirement.
“You can understand how important he was in the team by noting the failures of the team since his retirement, he launched. He is a quality person and his presence was crucial for us.