Sakic retired from the NHL on July 9 , 2009 .
Had Sakic 's jersey number retired prior to the Avalanche 's 2009 -- 10 season opener on October 1 , 2009 , at Pepsi Center .
Sakic retired from the NHL on July 9 , 2009 , and had his jersey number retired prior to the Avalanche 's 2009 -- 10 season opener on October 1 , 2009 , at Pepsi Center .