6erikjohnson6 Today, I am retiring from the NHL. I keep pinching myself. 18 years in the NHL, the greatest league in the world. I dreamt of just playing one game as a kid in Minnesota. To have played over 1000 games, lifted the Stanley Cup, been an All Star, played in the Olympics and made some of my best friends; I am profoundly grateful of everything this game has given me. I would have signed up for this career a million times over. To say I have been blessed would be a massive understatement. Thank you to everyone who has supported me along the way. To my FAMILY, I love you so much. Thank you for your unconditional love and support. To my friends, thank you for being along for the ride. To all my coaches & management, thank you for pushing me and making me better. To all the support staff, thank you for your longs nights, endless effort, fixing me up, laughing at me & with me, and dealing with me always giving you shit! To my teammates, thank you!!!Whether I played with you one game or one thousand, I am grateful for our time together. I’ll always miss winning together, the long road trips, dinners, parties, & battling together to close out a tight game. You guys are my brothers and I will always be there for you. I would like to acknowledge and thank the teams I have played for. St. Louis, I loved living and playing in your city, it was an honor. Buffalo, thank you for the opportunity to be a Sabre. Philly, I had one of my favorite years of my career in your city. I miss it. The right people are in charge & you will contend soon. Finally, to the Colorado Avalanche. Wow. Thank you. What an honor to retire as an Av. The Avs will always be a huge piece of me. I came to Denver as 22 year old kid and I retire as a 37 year old…kid. I will always be an Av at heart. What this city, organization, & fan base has meant to me I will never take for granted. The amount of love I feel from all the fans is incredible to me. Winning the Stanley Cup for this city was my highest honor. I’ve been lucky enough to be in Denver for 15 years and I will always live here. It’s home. My wings may be clipped but I’ll see you on the other side. I’m excited for what’s next. With new teeth! Love, EJ
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