Kurtis Gabriel announces retirement from hockey
NHL and AHL grinder Kurtis Gabriel has announced his retirement from hockey.
Gabriel released the following statement on Twitter in his announcement:
“This is definitely not an easy decision, but I feel like I need to listen to my body, my heart, and my mind, and they are telling me it is time to retire from playing professional hockey.
I could not be more grateful for the career I have had. If you would have told me at seventeen years old, when my amazing mum, Kim, suggested that I try out for the local Newmarket Hurricanes (because it was “only fifty dollars and some of your team mates were too,”) that I would be where I am at twenty nine, I would not have believed you! What a ride we have had Mum. What a journey it has been!
Thank you to my unbelievable support system: my loving family, girlfriend & her family, friends, teammates, coaches, management, trainers, team staff, billets, fans, and anyone who has ever supported me even in the smallest way through all these years. I never could have done it without you all.
The life experiences and lessons that were packed into the time since I committed to hockey are truly priceless. I will cherish them and apply them to my life going forward. And one thing is for sure..hockey created the conditions for me to be tested to my limits. The suffering that came from it, physically but mostly mentally, was the catalyst that pushed me to “awaken” spiritually. I am forever grateful for that.
I actually find it fitting that I end this journey in the off-season. I got to where I am because of what I did in the off-season for thirteen years.
I am excited to see what life will be like in this next chapter!”
Gabriel retires at just 29 years old after a nine season career in professional hockey. He spent his career playing in the Minnesota Wild, New Jersey Devils, Philadelphia Flyers, San Jose Sharks, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Chicago Blackhawks organizations, with 371 AHL games where he had 39 goals, 33 assists, and 72 points. He managed to get into 51 NHL games with the Wild, Devils, Sharks, and Blackhawks, with two goals and three assists in his NHL career.
Gabriel was also one of the more outspoken players in the league towards mental health and the rights of gay people and people of colour. He was the first player to play a game with Pride Tape, and also continue to use it past Pride Night.