"My time in Montreal was special beyond playing hockey," Koivu added in his statement. "My time in Montreal was special beyond playing hockey," Koivu said. Saku Koivu has announced his retirement There were bad times as well. Saku Koivu retires: Former Canadiens captain hangs up his skates New, 39 comments It took awhile for him to come to his decision, but Saku Koivu is stepping away from the game. Then it will be Saku's turn. In only his second season, Koivu was among the league scoring leaders with 13 goals and 25 assists in early December when he suffered the first of his serious knee injuries. "I am grateful to them for allowing me to experience NHL hockey in California," Koivu said. Anaheim Ducks' Saku Koivu skates by sign with his name on it prior to an NHL hockey game against the Montreal Canadiens in Montreal, Saturday, January 22, 2011. Most recently in the NHL with Anaheim Ducks. Thank you for being an inspiration to so many! "Orange County has truly been a blessing for us," Koivu said. This is a space where subscribers can engage with each other and Globe staff. We are still retiring numbers from legendary players that have won multiple cups. UPDATED: Read our community guidelines here. NHL, the NHL Shield, the word mark and image of the Stanley Cup, the Stanley Cup Playoffs logo, the Stanley Cup Final logo, Center Ice name and logo, NHL Conference logos, NHL Winter Classic name, and The Biggest Assist Happens Off The Ice are registered trademarks and Stanley Cup Qualifiers name and logo, NHL.TV, Vintage Hockey word mark and logo, The Game Lives Where You Do, NHL Winter Classic logo, NHL Heritage Classic name and logo, NHL Stadium Series name and logo, NHL All-Star logo, NHL Face-Off name and logo, NHL. ... Saku. December 5, 2014 SAKU KOIVU RETIRES FROM NHL AFTER 18 SEASONS. There will be no storybook homecoming in Montreal for Saku Koivu or a season spent elsewhere as a mentor. What a career by Saku Koivu in the NHL as he retires today! "Orange County has truly been a blessing for us," Koivu said. If no results appear, use Enter to do a full site search. Saku Antero Koivu (pronounced ; born November 23, 1974) is a Finnish former professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL). He set the bar high both on and off the ice and truly showed. Saku should someday have his number retired just not right now. All Rights Reserved. Former Montreal Canadiens captain Saku Koivu announces retirement after 18 years Koivu, 39, played for Montreal from 1995 through 2009 and was … Later that same season, the Canadiens moved out of the historic Montreal Forum into their new home, then called the Molson Centre. Merci pour tout! Saku Koivu's Montreal story - Centre universitaire de santé McGill / McGill University Health Centre - Duration: 5:36. The former dynasty, which Savard had at least maintained as a contender with Stanley Cups wins in 1986 and 1993, went into a downward spiral that took a decade to reverse. As a professional he won nine international medals, including four in the Olympics (bronze in 1994, 1998 and 2010; silver in 2006). The memories flooded back Wednesday when the gifted and dauntless centre announced his retirement after 18 NHL seasons, including 10 years as the Canadiens captain. The 39-year-old played his final five seasons with the Anaheim Ducks skating alongside fellow Finnish great Teemu Selanne, but his career will mostly be remembered for the great highs and devastating lows he experienced in Montreal. He was an inspiration, a mentor, a friend, and an unbelievable competitor. "Thank you with all my heart to Dr. and Mrs. David Mulder and Dr. and Mrs. Blair Whittemore and the staff at Montreal General Hospital for saving my life.". He showed me what it meant to be, 2. — … Read our, I'm a print subscriber, link to my account, Avoid the use of toxic and offensive language. Bonne chance! Saku Antero Koivu (s.23. Saku is truly one of the greatest guys I've ever met. But his NHL figures are modest considering what he may have produced had his career not been marred by a succession of knee injuries, his 2001-02 bout with non-Hodgkins lymphoma and a horrific eye injury in 2006 that left him with restricted peripheral vision. Many Habs fans will remember Captain Saku Koivu best for his famous return to play after battling cancer. 18 seasons 255 goals 832 points! The Finnish national hockey team will retire Saku Koivu 's number 11 ahead of the opening game of the 2016 World Junior Championship being held in … Saku Koivu saluted at Montreal retirement ceremony Former Canadiens captain Saku Koivu waves to the crowd during a ceremony to honor his career on Thursday night in Montreal. Koivu thanked the Turku coach who helped hone his skills, Vladimir Jurzinov, and his agent for most of his career Don Baizley, who died of cancer in June, 2013. The Canadiens selected Koivu in the first round (No. His former teammates took to twitter to comment on his retirement, including defenceman Sheldon Souray, who wrote: “Saku Koivu is a MAN among … "Looking back at my 22 years of pro hockey, first in Finland and then in the NHL, I feel truly blessed and fulfilled," Koivu said in a statement released through the NHL Players Association. "Thank you to the fans and lovely people of Montreal for your support and love, and for providing my family and me with wonderful memories that we will always cherish as well as the immense support during my illness. The Zamboni word mark and configuration of the Zamboni ice resurfacing machine are registered trademarks of Frank J. Zamboni & Co., Inc.© Frank J. Zamboni & Co., Inc. 2021. At a certain point though cups will no longer be the barometer for jersey retirement. Enter Search Term. The NHL uses cookies, web beacons, and other similar technologies.