“The franchise’s missing piece” – Hall of Famer Marian Hossa will have No. 81 retired by Blackhawks this 2022-23 NHL season
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Marian Hossa
After being inducted into the Hall of Fame in November 2021, Chicago Blackhawks forward Marian Hossa will now be having his No. 81 retired by the team during the 2022-23 NHL season against the game with Pittsburg Penguins.
Sidney Crosby, Kris Letang, and Evgeni Malkin will be present during the ceremony to witness and congratulate their former teammate. Hossa played in different NHL teams throughout his career, one of them being the Penguins who will have their match against the Blackhawks that day.
Marian Hossa’s journey with the NHL teams and his future plans with Chicago Blackhawks
He was the first player to wear the No. 81 in the franchise and will be the last to do so. As the days pass by, Marian Hossa is getting closer to joining the seven players whose jersey number was retired by the team.
The 3-time Stanley Cup Champion had to end his professional career due to a progressive skin disorder after the 2016-17 season. He participated in 19 seasons with the Blackhawks after his grand 12-year contract on July 1, 2009. Though he left the ice after the 2016 season, he did sign a comeback contract with the team for 1 day in a game against the Seattle Kraken.
Hossa stated, “As a kid, you know you dream to play one day in the National Hockey League, the best League in the world,”. “Then your goal is to win the Stanley Cup. Your goal is not going into the rafters or going into the Hall of Fame, but I guess somebody really liked my game over those years and this success we’ve had.
He further stated, “I was lucky to play with so many great players and great coaching staff. Thanks also to them. It’s amazing news for me and my family. I’m overwhelmed. It still didn’t sink (in). It’s amazing.” Apart from Blackhawks, and Penguins, he also played with Ottawa Senators, Atlanta Thrashers, and Detroit Red Wings.
He had a total career point of 1,134 in 1,309 games with 525 goals and 609 assists. For the Blackhawks he recorded, 415 points in 534 games with 186 goals and 229 assists, and 73 points in 107 playoffs with 21 goals and 51 assists.
Blackhawks chief executive officer Danny Wirtz said, “To me, the greatest free agent signing in Chicago sports history, Marian was the franchise’s missing piece”. Hossa did indicate that he wishes to help the organization in any way or form after his retirement, and has been in talks about it with the staff members and directors.
But as of now nothing is confirmed yet, “I’d love to come to visit the city and work with the Blackhawks in certain areas, but we haven’t reached the final note, like what exactly it’s going to be. But I know it’s going to be something”.
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Kaushani Chatterjee
(2140 Articles Published)