Confirmed with Link: Petr Sykora Retires

[Wingman77]

Important player in our franchises history, part of one of the most important lines, always found his way in the finals, a big playoff performer, came back here at the end of his career and provided this team with a nice unexpected offensive season, and one cannon of a shot

Best of luck to Sykora in his retirement, thanks for everything

Former NHLer Petr Sykora retired on Monday, according to a Czech website.

The two-time Stanley Cup winner hasn’t played in the NHL since 2011-12 or in a game this season in Europe. He last skated in the Swiss League during in 2012-13.

According to the report, Sykora was waiting for an NHL offer, but didn’t pick one up, so he called it quits during the weekend.

Sykora finished his NHL career where it started — in New Jersey with the Devils, for whom he played almost seven seasons before bounced around the league with the Ducks, Rangers, Oilers, Wild and Penguins, ending up with 323 goals, 398 assists and eight 50-plus point seasons.

Sykora’s best campaign was 2000-01 when he recorded 81 points, including 35 goals, in 73 games. Along with his NHL career, he spent some time in the KHL and Czech Leagues, and played for the Czech Republic Olympic team in 2002.

http://nhl.si.com/2014/03/17/petr-sykora-retires-devils-penguins/

Click to read more...

 

[Richer's Ghost]

This 17 did more than others...

*Salute*

and then there was 1...

 

[Better Call Sal]

Damn, I really miss the A-Line.

 

[cj225]

First player jersey I ever bought..one of my favorites!

 

[Richer's Ghost]

The first authentic jersey I ever bought.

 

[Better Call Sal]

Sykkie was my buddy's favorite player forever. He has an autographed Penguins Sykora jersey, a game used preseason jersey (Number 40) from his last run with us and even an Oiler #71 player shirt. He's going to be crushed by this news.

My first two authentic jerseys were Elias and Arnott, so the A-Line was really influential on my young hockey years. I can't believe only Patty is left.

 

[Classic Devil]

Much love to Sykkie. He'll always be important to the Devils, and I hope to see him back in the organization in some capacity ASAP. It'd be awesome to have him just hanging out like Marshall does.

 

[AfroThunder396]

I'm really glad he came back in 2012. Said all the right things and played his ass off. Really raised my opinion of him and made his Devils legacy quite a bit better IMO.

 

[Classic Devil]

I'm really glad he came back in 2012. Said all the right things and played his ass off. Really raised my opinion of him and made his Devils legacy quite a bit better IMO.

No question. That rewrote his history as a Devil.

 

[Wingman77]

I'm really glad he came back in 2012. Said all the right things and played his ass off. Really raised my opinion of him and made his Devils legacy quite a bit better IMO.

No question. That rewrote his history as a Devil.

"I'll drive the bus"

His enthusiasm that year was was a breath of fresh air for that team

Always get a kick out of this goal on the last day of the season that year

 

[The 29th Pick]

Thanks Sykkie

 

[Brodeur]

and then there was 1...

Nice, I've been looking for that photo (from ESPN the Magazine circa 2000/01).

I started following the NHL Draft in earnest after the Cup win in 1995. Even though I didn't really have any idea who was who at that point, I remember the announcers being shocked when Sykora kept dropping and then we snatched him at #18.

Ran into him after Anaheim eliminated Detroit in 2003. I joked how he had Curtis Joseph's number (Devils eliminated CuJo in 2000 and 2001, then he signed with Detroit). He autographed my jersey and added #17 to his signature. I thought that was a nice touch since he was wearing #39 with Anaheim.

And in terms of random regular season goals, the one that Patty scored off the dummy+deflection play in Winnipeg is one of my favorites. If somebody could post the gif of Elias letting Sykora fall to the ice and then laughing at him on the bench, it'd be greatly appreciated.

 

[Richer's Ghost]

we need the Chico saga that was the Sykora and Elias roommates and chinchilla story.

 

[Better Call Sal]

Here's the whiff, I can't find him laughing though.

 

[NJDevils7]

He scored absolute favorite goal of all time

@ 1:25

 

[Colin226]

Here's the whiff, I can't find him laughing though.

That was so awesome when it happened.. Man, to think watching this team used to be fun, not a chore

 

[The 29th Pick]

Here's the whiff, I can't find him laughing though.

LOL I wanted to post that gif but couldnt find it.....poor Sykkie !!

 

[Mory Schneideur*]

We should have brought him back for a year.

 

[Cowbell232]

His legacy as a Devils was definitely restored by being a retread here.

However, his shot... Absolutely a beauty. Not many guys can whip it around like he could.

 

[TaiMaiShu]

He scored absolute favorite goal of all time

@ 1:25

Awesome find and amazing chemistry there. I vividly remember that same play against Brian Boucher too! Not sure if it was a PO game or not though.


And his last big contribution before Josefson was in the lineup for his speed.

 

[Bleedred]

Absolutely love this guy. Can't say a bad word about him. Predicted 20 goals for him before the 11-12 season. Enjoy retirement Sykkie!

 

[glenwo2]

According to the report, Sykora was waiting for an NHL offer, but didn’t pick one up, so he called it quits during the weekend.

Why oh why didn't Lou bring him back?

Even if he scored only 10-15 goals this year, those goals could've been the difference between being in a playoff spot and being where we are now : DONE.

 

[Feed Me A Stray Cat]

Was my favorite player when I was younger. Great career.

 

[Bleedred]

Why oh why didn't Lou bring him back?

Even if he scored only 10-15 goals this year, those goals could've been the difference between being in a playoff spot and being where we are now : DONE.

I can understand why Lou didn't bring him back this year. I don't understand why he didn't bring him back last year. He waited the entire lockout (I'm sure he turned down some offers in the Summer of 2012) to remain with the Devils. The lockout ended and Lou didn't want him back, and I'm sure the offers he had gotten from other teams were off the table.

That's one of the reasons I'm skeptical Lou will bring back Jagr next year, though Sykora wasn't exactly our leading scorer either. I would almost bet there were some reasons why he wasn't brought back in 12-13, other than being old. Whether it was a problem in the locker room, or quite possibly a health problem in which Lou thought he would be a liability if he re signed.

 

[glenwo2]

If Jagr can still go at 40+, Sykie could've given it a go at 37(which is what he is now).

It stinks that not even Lou would give him one final hurrah for at least the rest of the season.

And I seriously DOUBT it was a problem in the locker room since he always got along with Elias.

And if there was a health issue, we would've heard of it by now.

Lou probably FORGOT ALL ABOUT HIM(old people get Senile, you know?).