Joe Pavelski Claims First American Century Championship Title

Joe Pavelski, the recently retired NHL center, has added another significant achievement to his athletic career, securing his first American Century Championship title on Sunday. Pavelski, who previously played for the San Jose Sharks and Dallas Stars, showcased his skills on the golf course at the prestigious celebrity tournament.

The American Century Championship, an annual event held at the Edgewood Tahoe Resort in Nevada, draws a host of celebrities and athletes. The tournament features not only the main golf competition but also engaging side events such as the Long Drive Challenge, Chip Challenge, and the Hole-In-One Contest.

Pavelski emerged victorious with a final score of 73,outperforming his closest competitor,former Major League Baseball pitcher John Smoltz,by nine points. The top five finishers also included contry music star Jake Owen, ex-Major League Soccer forward Taylor Twellman, and Golden State warriors point guard Steph Curry, highlighting the diverse talent pool at the event.

several other NHL figures participated in the championship. T.J. Oshie, who also recently retired, finished tied for 32nd place, while Florida Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk secured 36th place. Pavelski joins an elite group of hockey players who have won the championship, following in the footsteps of NHL legends Mario Lemieux and Dan Quinn.

Lemieux claimed the title once in 1998, while Quinn holds a remarkable record with five wins in 1992, 2001, 2002, 2004, and 2012. quinn’s five victories place him second in championship wins, trailing only former MLB pitcher Rick Rhoden, who has eight titles.

Pavelski concluded an impressive 18-season NHL career in 2024. He began his journey in 2006 with the San Jose Sharks,where he spent 13 seasons,serving as captain for his final four. He then moved to the Dallas Stars in 2019, playing five seasons before his retirement. Throughout his career, Pavelski amassed 476 goals and 592 assists for 1,068 points in 1,332 regular season games, ranking him seventh in goals and sixth in points among American-born players. In the playoffs, he recorded 74 goals and 69 assists for 143 points in 201 games, placing him second in goals and fourth in points for American players.