Joe Sakic Joe Šakić is of Croat origin. He was born in Vancouver to a family of immigrants from Croatia, (his father Marijan is from Imotski, his mother Slavica from Lika). Joe didn't speak English until he entered kindergarten. Growing up, his boyhood idol was Wayne Gretzky. Although media guides list his birthplace as Burnaby, British Columbia, he was actually born in Vancouver; he grew up in Burnaby and attended Burnaby North Secondary School. He is a fan favourite in the Vancouver region, and a street in Burnaby has been named "Joe Sakic Way" in his honour. He is affectionately known as "Burnaby Joe" to the fans in the Vancouver region.
His brother, Brian, played center for the Flint Generals in the United Hockey League.
