Hossa joined by family, teammates as Blackhawks retire No. 81

CHICAGO -- Marian Hossa was all smiles as the Chicago Blackhawks lifted his No. 81 to the rafters at United Center prior to their game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday.

Former Blackhawks color analyst Eddie Olczyk, who now does the same job for the Seattle Kraken, emceed the 45-minute ceremony upon Hossa's request.
"As the great [former Blackhawks play-by-play man] Pat Foley used to say, who's the boss? Hoss is the boss,'" Olczyk said to cheers.
Hossa, the only player to wear No. 81 in Blackhawks history, was given a standing ovation as he came onto the ice.
"I miss you guys," said Hossa, who talked of the first NHL jersey he ever received.
"When I was 11 years old, my Slovak hockey team came to Quebec City to play in a pee-wee tournament. One of the families wanted to buy me a gift, a jersey of my choice. I did not hesitate: a red Chicago Blackhawks jersey, No. 28, Steve Larmer," he said. "It was the first ever Blackhawks jersey I wore, and I remember it vividly today."
Hossa was joined at the ceremony by his wife Jana, daughters Mia, 11, Zoja, 9, and Emma, who was born Aug. 18. His parents Frantisek and Maria, and brother, Marcel were also in attendance.

Blackhawks CEO Danny Wirtz presented Hossa, who Wirtz said always celebrated milestones by buying a new watch, with an Audemars Piguet watch.
Hossa was also joined by former Blackhawks teammates, forwards Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and Patrick Sharp and defensemen Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook and Niklas Hjalmarsson. Hossa and those six players won the Stanley Cup with the Blackhawks in 2010, 2013 and 2015 and posed for a picture with the Cup at Sunday's ceremony.

Current Blackhawks players watched the ceremony from the bench.
The Blackhawks showed a video montage of Hossa's time with the team. During his speech, Hossa had a special message for young hockey players.
"Focus on your goal, work hard, have fun, and one day, you'll be able to achieve your dreams," he said. "Because it's so important to keep pushing yourself to reach the mountain top."