Former Leafs tough guy Ryan Reaves pens heartfelt goodbye to hockey
After 16 NHL seasons, Ryan Reaves is calling it a career.
The longtime enforcer stated earlier in the offseason that he was hoping to find another home. After seemingly failing to receive any offers, Reaves took to Instagram on Wednesday to officially announce his retirement.
"It’s hard to put into words what you meant to me. What you mean to me," Reaves said. "I had dreams of being an athlete. Football, hockey - it didn't matter. I learned at a young age that I just wanted to lay people out. The physical part of sports was what I was drawn to. I always knew that's what I wanted, but tell 10-year-old Reavo he was going to play in the NHL for 16 seasons? I don't think he'd believe you.
"It’s hard to make this league. It’s even harder to stay in it. For everything I put into my 16 years, the game gave me back x1,000.
"But unfortunately, Father Time remains undefeated. Every hit, every fight—it’s taken its final toll on me. I love this sport more than almost anything in this world. It has taken me to places I never thought I’d go and has introduced me to people I’ll cherish for the rest of my life. The fans, the haters, the ups, the downs…I wouldn’t trade it for anything."
Reaves fell just shy of the 1,000-game mark, finishing with 962. His career saw him suit up for the St. Louis Blues, Pittsburgh Penguins, Vegas Golden Knights, New York Rangers, Minnesota Wild, Toronto Maple Leafs, and San Jose Sharks.
"I never thought this day would come. I thought I was invincible. I thought I could play forever, but like all good things, it must come to an end.
"Today, I retire from the sport I’ve loved since I was 5 years old. It was a hell of a ride. Thank you to everyone who supported me throughout this journey. There are too many to single out, so you’ll hear from me at some point ... Mic drop, gloves drop. Reavo out."
Near the end of his career, Reaves signed a three-year deal with the Maple Leafs and played a combined 84 games with the organization. While he didn't possess the skill to be a game-changer, he was said to be a huge presence in the locker room, making it no surprise to see several of his teammates, including Mitch Marner, congratulating him on his impressive career.
"Happy retirement legend," former Maple Leafs teammate Mitch Marner commented.
For the time being, Reaves gets to enjoy some downtime with his family. What lies ahead after that remains to be seen, though his fun and outgoing personality should make for plenty of opportunities once he officially turns the page on his playing career.
After 962 NHL games, Reaves leaves having carved out a unique career that few could have predicted when he first laced up the skates as a five-year-old.
Nick Turchiaro/USA TODAY Sports
