Ryan Getzlaf and why leaving on your own terms matters

Mike McKenna
Mike McKenna(MikeMcKenna56)
Ryan Getzlaf and why leaving on your own terms matters

It’s not often fans get the opportunity to say goodbye to a hero. But that’s exactly what happened Sunday night in Anaheim, when Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf skated in his final NHL game.

Making it to the NHL is incredibly difficult. Staying in the league is even harder. But playing 1,157 games with one franchise? That’s exceedingly rare.

Getzlaf didn’t just spend a career in Orange County: he thrived. The 6-foot-4 center from Regina, Sask. tallied 1,109 points during the regular season. He won a Stanley Cup with Anaheim in 2007. And Getzlaf wore the captain’s ‘C’ on his Ducks sweater for 12 seasons.

With those credentials, Getzlaf should be a Hall of Famer. He is in my eyes. I think the only question is whether he’s a first-ballot inductee.

But to me, Sunday night’s celebration wasn’t about Getzlaf’s scoring output or accolades. It was about an athlete choosing to end his career on his own terms, walking away at peace with a sport that has given him so much.

When the Ducks posted this picture after the game, it gave me goosebumps. I could feel the emotion. Because I’ve lived it.

I played my last professional game with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms on April 13, 2019 – a 3-2 shootout win over the Hartford Wolfpack. I was fortunate – I knew in advance that it was going to be my final start. My parents flew in. My wife and daughters were there. Even my longtime goalie coach Chris Economou, who was at my first AHL game 13 years before, was in attendance.

It was a perfect ending. I made the last save of my career to win a game. But if my mind hadn’t already been made up that I was going to retire, who knows where or when my last game would have taken place? And that wasn’t something that I was willing to accept.

Hockey players spend their entire youth chasing the dream of playing professionally. We miss events on the weekend. School dances. Dates. Parties. The things so many high-schoolers look forward to – they’re afterthoughts for us.

Making it to the NHL takes a level of dedication that’s hard to explain to people that haven’t lived it. But it’s also the reason why it’s so hard to step away. For most of us, every winter since the age of four or five has been spent on skates playing competitively.

Some players simply cannot stop. Maybe they aren’t willing to admit that injuries are piling up and their bodies are failing. Or they simply aren’t good enough any longer. But the stark reality is that NHL teams always have young talent – at low cap hits – pushing for playing time. Veteran players are increasingly expendable.

When I was contemplating my own exit from the game, it felt that it was really important to walk away from hockey before someone told me I had to. I didn’t want to go an entire off-season waiting on a contract that might never come. And I had even less desire to attend NHL training camp on a professional try-out agreement. With a young family to think about, I needed some degree of certainty.

But what I really feared was getting hurt. I never missed a game in my life due to injury. And I didn’t want my career to end with me watching from the stands. I wanted to be on the ice.

I’m sure Getzlaf had similar thoughts. And there’s no doubt it was of utmost importance for him to finish his career playing for the Ducks. Getzlaf could probably continue playing if he really wanted to. He had a resurgent season offensively, posting 37 points in 56 games.

But at some point, injuries accumulate. Spending hours on the trainer’s table takes a toll physically and mentally. It becomes tedious and tiresome.

And then there’s the family aspect. Getzlaf has four children. I have two. And I know firsthand how professional hockey takes away time with your kids. You never get those moments back.

I loved how the Ducks paid tribute to their long-time captain. From the moment he pulled into the Honda Center, all eyes were on him. But in the best way.

As you can see in the video above, Getzlaf is entrenched in the Anaheim community. He’s made such a positive impact. What a nice touch by the Ducks to invite so many people that Getzlaf is connected to. There is nothing more rewarding than knowing a fan base has appreciated your work on the ice as much as in the community. It’s humbling.

I knew the pre-game ceremony for an iconic player like Getzlaf would be special. Gifts are expected, and judging by the smile on Getzlaf’s face, his new side-by-side off-road vehicle was a winner. Maybe it was the custom paint job. But I think it was mostly because former Anaheim teammate Teemu Selanne was driving it.

Amazing.

But the best storyline of the night didn’t play out until just under three minutes remaining in regulation, when Getzlaf completed a perfect backhand, no-look pass to Ducks teammate Adam Henrique. It was his 34th assist of the season – and the final one of his career.

Perfect.

Now a new challenge awaits Getzlaf, whatever that may be. It can take time to find a sense of purpose after a lengthy playing career. And thankfully for Getzlaf, he’s made enough money that retirement should be an afterthought financially. That gives him flexibility in his post-playing career.

He could take a few years off to spend time with his family. Or go straight into hockey management. There may not be a right or wrong answer, and only Ryan Getzlaf knows what comes next.

Watching Getzlaf get to enjoy every moment of his final game really struck a chord. It felt very familiar. And it’s something I wish more pro athletes would be able to experience.

I am completely at peace with my playing days. And I hope Ryan is, too. Congratulations on an amazing career.

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