Enjoy this brief audio tribute to Saku Koivu, as Engels and Hindle discuss their favorite memories of Saku's time with the Montreal Canadiens.
We also hope you enjoy the two blogs below, which feature Koivu's legacy and career as a Canadien.
Consider the forum as your space to share your favorite Koivu memories.
A Chance to Give Back to a Giver: by Eric Engels
Yesterday, Saku Koivu stoically delivered well-considered answers to questions that forced great introspection on the events that shaped his development; not only as a player, but as a person.
As he recalled his experiences in Montreal -- the city he still refers to as home -- he essentially framed the event of his return as the culmination of his era as a Canadien (even if it was to occur with him on the opposite side of the ice, wearing a jersey he won't be celebrated for come Saturday night).
He had prepared a statement, though not in writing.
It was delivered from the heart, flowing as if it were memorized; expressing thoughts that may have been too overwhelming to fully consider before he and his new teammates arrived in Montreal.
But here, on his first day back since leaving the Canadiens two summers ago, it all seemed to have crystalized for him.
Koivu's stoicism, his humility in admitting he felt undeserving of the potential for his legacy to be grouped with those that shaped the Canadiens' history with the richness of Stanley Cup bounty, and his retrospective analysis of how he approached his role and how he'd like to be remembered, served as instant reminders of human qualities that should be revered in society.
As for the wish he expressed, that he be remembered as a Montrealer first, and a Canadien second, it will most certainly be granted.
As a Montrealer, Koivu made an indelible contribution to the city through his charitable foundation. His PET scan machine, at the Montreal General Hospital, has been used by thousands, all of whom would've been forced to make the two-hour trek to Sherbrooke, Que. under the discomfort and duress of dealing with terrifying realties.
He's also the man who captained nine editions of the Montreal Canadiens, most of which overachieved as a direct result of his contribution. Considering he never made it out of the second round of the playoffs in this town, that says a lot about his legacy as a player. But it doesn't say enough.
To know the story of Saku Koivu, is to know that time, and time again, he battled and beat circumstances that most wouldn't have bothered with; whether it was winning a loose puck from a player twice his size, or fighting for his life and his career when both were put in serious jeopardy.
Quite simply, as a Montrealer, and as a Canadien, he was a giver.
He was also a leader, not only for his teammates, but for the people of this city that recognize the similes between a hockey game and the arduous path of life.
Fans and media members alike may have never unanimously supported Koivu, but if you asked all parties to come to a consensus on what they hope to see from a player that is privileged enough to represent a franchise like the winningest Canadiens, Saku embodies it:
Relentless, respectful, incredibly aware and incredibly loyal to representing the franchise as it's meant to be represented. As I said, he gave.
These were qualities Koivu wore so openly on his sleeve. You'd have had to have been blind not have seen them.
And if you were blind...
Tonight marks an occasion to give back to a giver. It will be another special memory among a litany of ones that ultimately define the most recent era of Montreal Canadiens hockey-- an era that would've been classified as the darkest of the franchise's history had it not been for Koivu's brightness.
Don't miss it.
Saku's Return; Bittersweet Reflections of A True Champion: by Steven Hindle
The Montreal Canadiens are renowned for their processional ceremonies that honor the players of their past, and although the return of Saku Koivu will not be a lavish, hour-long ceremony like the plethora of celebrations that stemmed from the team's Centennial season, it might as well be.
Why, you ask?
It's quite simple, really; Saku Koivu was
The Captain for an entire generation of Montreal Canadiens fans. Of more importance, Saku was the captain of the Canadiens most recent generation of Hab fans. The ones who, like Koivu, have yearned to bring a Cup to Montreal since 1993.
Yet that was not to be Koivu's fate in Montreal.
Over the span of 13 years, 9 of which he served as captain, Saku and his Habs never ultimately managed to reach their true potential, not once reaching the Stanley Cup finals despite numerous attempts, but it wasn't for lack of effort.
During those 13 years Koivu had the opportunity to play in 1148 regular season games for the Canadiens. He played only 792.
The difference between those two numbers, an astonishing 356 games(that would be the amount of games Saku missed over 13 seasons in Montreal), is the most likely culprit as to why the Canadiens never managed to capture a Cup during Koivu's tenure, but damn if he didn't try.
He served a generation and provided them with more than a decade's worth of memories.
Saku was a warrior, on and off the ice. His nearly innumerable injuries, his surreal battle with cancer and his sublime recovery, his work within the community and efforts to make the city he called home for 14 years a better place, all recognized by an absolutely rabid fan base which did nothing but love the honorable Finnish captain.
Koivu played 792 regular season games for the Habs, registering 191 goals, 450 assists and 623 penalty minutes. Over his career with the bleu-blanc et rouge, Koivu averaged .81 points per game and .78 penalty minutes per game, a true testament that he was much more than a flashy, skilled player. He was never afraid to step up and his innate quality to lead by example was a prime example why the team bestowed Saku with honor of being named the 1st European captain in team history.
During the 9 years that he served as captain, Koivu averaged .83 points per game, racking up 121 goals and 313 assists in 526 games.
And he was even better when he had the chance to play when it mattered most, in the post-season as he averaged .93 points per game(48 points in 52 games) in the playoffs.
But the numbers still cannot speak to the impact and immense respect he earned throughout his years in a Habs jersey.
Saku Koivu became an adopted member of the city of Montreal, a member of the Habs family, and he will never be turned away - no matter the color of his jersey.
It's a shame that Saku never managed to raise that 25th Stanley Cup banner to the rafters of the Bell Centre, yet for as much as Koivu himself recognizes that, he knows that his time in Montreal has meant much more to him than just playing a game.
And his time in Montreal meant more than not winning a Stanley Cup to his fans.
But that all falls into the "what could have been" category as this evening a nation of Hab fans, far more than the 21,273 who will be in attendance, will have their opportunity to pay homage to a leader they love and for that man to thank those fans that helped make him into the champion Saku Koivu is today.
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