One of the hardest working hockey players ever announces retireme

It's difficult to put in to words the impact that hockey has had on my life. As sit here today, preparing to announce my retirement, I reflect on the past 12 years. A young kid from Regina, Saskatchewan who loved the game of hockey and dreamt about one day playing in the NHL to now, starting a new chapter in my life. My career started off like any other kid... minor league hockey in my hometown and quickly escalated after being drafted to the WHL. Fortunately, I was drafted to my hometown team, the Regina Pats and was able to live at home while played for the next 4 years. In 2009 was drafted by the Washington Capitals. ended up playing the better part of my career for the Hershey Bears ultimately making Hershey 'home' to my family and I. Playing for 7 years in chocolate town was a time in our lives that we will cherish forever. In April of 2017 not only was my youngest daughter born but fulfilled a lifelong dream of playing in the NHL. My wife, our oldest daughter Lyla, 9- day old Lakelyn, my parents and Mother-in-Law were all there for it. Stepping out on to the ice as a Washington Capital with players that idolized was a moment will never forget. Over the next 5 years found myself playing overseas in Slovakia, back in Pennsylvania for the Reading Royals and finally landed in Rockford, IL for my last 4 years. It's been wild.