Earlier this week, longtime Philadelphia Flyers left winger Simon Gagne decided to call it a career. He spent 11 of his 14 NHL years with Philadelphia. He also played for the Los Angeles Kings, Tampa Bay Lighting, and the Boston Bruins. Was it really time for him to step away from the game?
Gagne was drafted by Philadelphia in the first-round of the 1998 NHL draft. He wouldn’t appear in his first game until the 2000 season. In his first year, he made an immediate impact, scoring 20 goals, 28 assists, and 48 points. His best year for the Flyers came in 2005-2006. Gagne had a career high in goals and points with 47 goals and 79 points. That’s a decent year. Gagne was a two time All-Star and won the Stanley Cup in 2012.
Last season was his roughest as a professional hockey player. Gagne played in 23 games for the Boston Bruins, the lowest ever. He scored 3 goals and had one assist. His father passed away during the season and he decided to take time away from hockey. Some media members thought it would be the end of his career.
On Tuesday he announced his retirement. According to ESPN, Gagne said, “Today, I want to thank my trainers and teammates. You inspired me to surpass myself. You made me understand that you need more than talent; it takes sacrifice and discipline and you need to work harder than your rivals. I also wish to thank my fans. Every evening, you energized me and inspired me to perform.”
This is the right time for Gagne to leave the game. He had a solid career with 291 goals, 310 assists for 601 points. He had an impressive +/- rating at +129. His career highlights include winning a Stanley Cup, a gold medal, and participating in two All-Star games. There was nothing left for him to play for in the game of hockey. Gagne was one of the best left wingers to suit up for Philadelphia. He may not go into the Hockey Hall Of Fame but he will be remembered as a respectable player in the NHL. Gagne will be missed because of his ability to score goals and find his teammates on the ice.
What do you think of Simon Gagne retiring from the NHL?
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