Former NHL enforcer announces his retirement at 29-years-old in heartfelt post
Kurtis Gabriel is the epitome of a throwback to the old school. An enforcer not afraid to drop the gloves with anyone at anytime. That attitude is likely the only thing that has kept him in the NHL for as long as he has been.
Gabriel was drafted in the 3rd round by the Minnesota Wild in 2013 and eventually made his NHL debut with the team. Gabriel was always known for his fists and in 51 NHL games logged 153 penalty minutes. Last summer Gabriel signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs, but he was unable to make their team and he was eventually traded to the Chicago Blackhawks.
Today Gabriel announced his retirement in an emotional Twitter post.
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!
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!
We wish Gabriel well in whatever comes next!
| POLL | ||
Do you think fighting will eventually be banned from hockey? | ||
| Yes, and it should be | 16 | 6.4 % |
| Yes, but it shouldn't be | 85 | 33.9 % |
| No, but it should be | 21 | 8.4 % |
| No, and it shouldn't be | 129 | 51.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
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