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When I was home for a quick trip in November 2022, I jumped at the chance to attend the jersey retirement ceremony for Marian Hossa, one of the best to ever wear the Chicago Blackhawks sweater.
Hossa and the Hawks
Marian Hossa, originally from Slovakia, signed with the Blackhawks on July 1, 2009. He gave the team instant credibility and I strongly believe without him there would have been no Stanley Cup celebrations in Chicago. Hossa made his debut against the San Jose Sharks on November 25, 2009, and scored two goals including a shorty. Countless memories and three Cups later, Hawks fans owe a lot to #81.
Can’t Miss This!
I had just returned from leading a tour to Turkey, Israel, and Egypt, and was due back in Colombia the next day, but there was no way I was going to miss this special occasion. I drove out to the United Center in Chicago with my brother and we took our seats up in the 300 level, the same seats from which we’ve watched countless Hawks games since the 2002-2003 season, to take in the ceremony.
Hossa vs Nashville
My absolute favorite moment was his game-winning goal against the Nashville Predators in Game 5 of the first round of the playoffs. I was fortunate to be in attendance for that game on April 24, 2010, and it still gives me goosebumps just thinking about it. Hossa had taken a 5-minute major for boarding with just over a minute left in regulation and the Hawks down 4-3, quite possibly costing the team the game and the series, but Patrick Kane tied it with a shorthanded goal with just 13.6 seconds left.
With overtime looming, the Hawks still had to kill another four minutes of Hossa’s penalty. The Hawks did just that, and as the penalty expired, Hossa jetted out of the box and in front of the Predators net to bury a shot past Pekka Rinne and win the game. The United Center erupted in pandemonium – it was the loudest I had ever heard it to that point. The Hawks had all the momentum and a 3-2 series lead heading into Game 6 in Nashville, which they won 5-3 to clinch the series and progress towards their first Stanley Cup championship since 1961.
The Ceremony
The following are some of the videos I took of the ceremony from my seat. I know you can find better quality videos elsewhere, but I had to share these. I’ll leave this post at that and let you enjoy. The ceremony was the highlight of both that night and a very difficult season for me. In case you’re wondering, the game against the Pittsburgh Penguins ended in a 5-3 defeat.
Anyway, I believe this was only the first of many more retirement ceremonies for players from the Blackhawks Stanely Cup runs. I only hope I can be there to thank them for so many incredible memories.
Introduction by Eddie Olcyzk:
Olczyk introducing Hossa’s Blackhawks teammates to the ice:
Marian Hossa welcomed to the ice:
The Stanley Cup making a special guest appearance:
Hossa and his former Blackhawks teammates taking a picture with the Stanley Cup:
Hossa’s speech (partially cut at the end due to phone memory issues!):
Hossa and his family watching the banner raising:
#81 on its way up to the rafters:
