Throughout Joe Pavelski's storied career, he has always displayed the leadership and skill it takes to be a champion.
On Sunday, he finally lifted a trophy in professional sports - although not on the ice. Pavelski went wire-to-wire in the American Century Championship to win the annual celebrity golf tournament at Lake Tahoe.
Pavelski has long been a participant, even finishing runner-up to tennis player Mardy Fish last year. But he had never hoisted the hardware, much like his oh-so-close moments in his hockey career. Twice had Pavelski made the Stanley Cup Final, once with San Jose and once with Dallas, only to lose in six games each time.
He had been a part of a Stars team who lost back-to-back in the Western Conference Final before retiring just shy of 40-years-old. In fact, Pavelski turned 41 Friday as he raced out to the first round lead in the stableford competition. Players earn points based off of their score for each hole, and Pavelski racked up 73, nine more than second place John Smoltz.
Pavelski said that the golf course and Lake Tahoe has meant a lot to him and his family over the years, and was speechless at finally winning the tournament. Before Dallas, he had spent his whole career only a few hours away in San Jose.
For Stars fans, it was extra painful to reconcile with Pavelski coming so close almost every year he was with Dallas and retiring without hoisting the Stanley Cup. No other trophy could come close to the impact of lifting the Cup, but nonetheless seeing Pavelski as a champion at last is the least he deserves.
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