Avalanche to retire Milan Hejduk's No. 23

The Colorado Avalanche will raise a sixth jersey to the rafters this season.

The club will retire former Avalanche captain Milan Hejduk's No. 23 jersey on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018 prior to a game against Minnesota.

A legend takes his place in the rafters...#HeresToHejduk pic.twitter.com/6bcFZFqLHR

- Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) September 13, 2017

"Milan was a tremendous player, a great teammate, a winner and a true professional in every sense," said Avalanche president and general manager Joe Sakic.

"Milan was one of the most humble players I ever had the privilege of competing with," continued Sakic. "He was a quiet leader who led by example and always represented this organization and himself with class. His number 23 certainly belongs in the Pepsi Center rafters."

Hejduk played all 14 of his NHL seasons with the Avalanche, and helped the team win the 2001 Stanley Cup. He finished his career with 375 goals and 805 points in 1,020 games, and served as team captain for one season. He also won the 2003 Maurice Richard Trophy as the NHL's leading goal scorer that season.

Hejduk's No. 23 will join the numbers of Joe Sakic (19), Peter Forsberg (21), Patrick Roy (33), Adam Foote (52), and Ray Bourque (77) as those retired by the club.

"I am truly honored to have my jersey raised to the rafters alongside those great Avalanche players," Hejduk said.

"I realized my lifelong dream of not only playing in the NHL but also winning a Stanley Cup and to spend my entire career in Colorado was very special. Thanks to all the Avalanche fans for your support, I can't wait to see everyone on January 6th."

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