After almost a decade away from hockey, Phil Sauve makes grand return to Hershey

In 2008, Phil Sauve hung up the skates and retired from playing professional hockey. Friday night in Chocolate Town, he robbed Eric Lindros of a goal in his first game in almost a decade.

“I haven’t played in nine years since I retired,” Sauve said after Friday’s game. “I actually got on the ice last Monday just to try and get some rust out. It was alright out there, but I can’t wait until tomorrow morning and the day after that is going to be pretty hard.”

Sauve spent three seasons in Hershey from 2000 to 2004, earning the first win for the Bears in Giant Center history.

To make his return to Hershey in a Bears sweater for the first time since 2004 was something that meant a lot to the netminder. “It was awesome. I really enjoyed my time here. Just coming back here, I haven’t been here in awhile. To be here with my family, honestly, I’m honored. It’s a great experience for us.”

Sharing memories with other former teammates, something that was done a lot over the last few days, is a special event that he won’t be forgetting anytime soon. “That’s what hockey’s about. We form friendships throughout the years. We all go our different ways and different directions once our careers are over, and just to be back together is just a great experience for us.”