Read on Twitter
PRESS RELEASE!
I have decided to step away from the game of hockey. It feels weird to say retire, but I guess that’s what it is.
I’m not sure if a Twitter thread is an appropriate forum to announce this but when you were a bubble guy, there’s no press conference, banner
1/18
I have decided to step away from the game of hockey. It feels weird to say retire, but I guess that’s what it is.
I’m not sure if a Twitter thread is an appropriate forum to announce this but when you were a bubble guy, there’s no press conference, banner
1/18
raising, or puck drop at centre ice. 
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="😂" title="Gezicht met tranen van geluk" aria-label="Emoji: Gezicht met tranen van geluk">
So here it is:
It’s strange to think that something which has been a part of me since before I can remember will no longer be a part of my future. This was not an easy decision, but in order to be honest with myself, it was time to
2/18
So here it is:
It’s strange to think that something which has been a part of me since before I can remember will no longer be a part of my future. This was not an easy decision, but in order to be honest with myself, it was time to
2/18
confront the reality that hockey had become unenjoyable for me. I was no longer committed to getting better and therefore I was getting worse. It was an unsustainable trajectory not only for my career but also for my mental health, and therefore it was better to stop
3/18
3/18
altogether.
Also, life comes at you fast! With a young family of my own, having to pack up and move every 6 or 8 months, being away from extended family (sometimes 10 hours apart) - it just wasn’t worth it anymore.
But perhaps most importantly,
4/18
Also, life comes at you fast! With a young family of my own, having to pack up and move every 6 or 8 months, being away from extended family (sometimes 10 hours apart) - it just wasn’t worth it anymore.
But perhaps most importantly,
4/18
I’m doing it on my own terms with my health - something not to be taken for granted. Especially after playing a highly competitive and physical game professionally for over a decade. Not to mention the 15 years before that.
Admittedly, my passion for the game really
5/18
Admittedly, my passion for the game really
5/18
fell off a cliff the moment I was traded out of Toronto. I could never rekindle that spark I had when wearing a Leaf jersey. It was like my hockey path was always destined to allow me to wear my boyhood colours; the blue and white. And wow, am I ever blessed to have gotten
6/18
6/18
that opportunity. Once that was over, it was as though I had accomplished the pinnacle of all my hopes and dreams. Did I dream of hoisting a Stanley Cup? Heck yeah! But as a boy - to even make it to the NHL was a long shot. So what are the odds
7/18
7/18
I got to play for “my” team too? There’s some things in this world which you just can’t explain.
And now it’s time to move on to the next chapter; where I can put my education, zest for knowledge, and passion towards a new endeavour - closer to family.
I’ve already
8/18
And now it’s time to move on to the next chapter; where I can put my education, zest for knowledge, and passion towards a new endeavour - closer to family.
I’ve already
8/18
expressed my sincerest thanks and gratitude to my family so I don’t need to do that again here, but I did want to thank each and every one of you for supporting and following my hockey career. Our potential social impact as players was something I never took lightly, and I
9/18
9/18
always tried to represent my family, my team, and the community in a positive light.
In fact, one of the things I am most proud of from my playing days was my willingness to get involved in the community. None more special than visiting and contributing to SickKids
10/18
In fact, one of the things I am most proud of from my playing days was my willingness to get involved in the community. None more special than visiting and contributing to SickKids
10/18
Hospital Toronto. I’m sure I got more out of those visits than the kids.
Some things I know for certain: I always tried my best; I cared deeply about my team; I wanted to win for everyone in the dressing room, as well as everyone in the stands (especially everyone in the
11/18
Some things I know for certain: I always tried my best; I cared deeply about my team; I wanted to win for everyone in the dressing room, as well as everyone in the stands (especially everyone in the
11/18
top bowl!); and most of all I cared about being a good teammate.
With that said, I want to extend a HUGE thanks to all my teammates, equipment staff, and all the team personnel who made the day-to-day operations tick - I see you guys too! I have made some life long
12/18
With that said, I want to extend a HUGE thanks to all my teammates, equipment staff, and all the team personnel who made the day-to-day operations tick - I see you guys too! I have made some life long
12/18
friendships from this game, both players and staff, and for that I am eternally grateful.
A thank you to all my coaches and GMs. Although not all of our relationships were equal, even the ones where we butted heads, I know there were meetings I wasn’t involved in where
13/18
A thank you to all my coaches and GMs. Although not all of our relationships were equal, even the ones where we butted heads, I know there were meetings I wasn’t involved in where
13/18
you went to bat for me and helped give me an opportunity to live and continue living my dream. So thank you.
Last but certainly not least, Thanks to you: the fans, the critics, and the media. The combination of you all makes this crazy sport of hockey worth playing.
14/18
Last but certainly not least, Thanks to you: the fans, the critics, and the media. The combination of you all makes this crazy sport of hockey worth playing.
14/18
I’ll never forget the feeling of coming out of the tunnel onto a fresh sheet of ice, with the potential to bring each and every one of you out of your seat with a good play, hit, fight, or goal. It was an honour to provide you some entertainment and let you escape from
15/18
15/18
your day-to-day lives if even for just a few moments.
Finally, if I can offer any advice to parents of young hockey players out there; let them decide how much they want to play. I played multiple sports growing up - It was never just hockey. I played flag football,
16/18
Finally, if I can offer any advice to parents of young hockey players out there; let them decide how much they want to play. I played multiple sports growing up - It was never just hockey. I played flag football,
16/18
basketball, volleyball, competed in track and field, golf and competitive soccer. I truly believe I loved hockey as long as I did because I didn’t burn out of it. If your kids are lucky enough for hockey to become a job that’s great - But I promise they’ll miss the days
17/18
17/18
when it wasn’t!
That’s it. Thanks for reading and taking part in my Twitter retirement press conference.
I wish all of you the best and I look forward to enjoying this game from the stands again! See you around the rinks.
-PH
That’s it. Thanks for reading and taking part in my Twitter retirement press conference.
I wish all of you the best and I look forward to enjoying this game from the stands again! See you around the rinks.
-PH
