Scott Gomez‘s days of playing NHL hockey are done.
The 36-year-old centreman discussed his decision with Doyle Woody of the Alaska Dispatch News at his home of Airport Heights, Alaska.
“This has been my life,” Gomez told Woody. “It’s so weird to think I’m never going to play hockey again.”
Gomez began his career with the New Jersey Devils, putting up a 70-point Calder Trophy-winning rookie campaign in 1999-2000 after being selected 27th overall the year prior. He won two Stanley Cups with the Devils, first in 2000 and then in 2003.
He finishes his career with 181 goals and 575 assists for 756 career NHL points in 1,079 games played over the course of 16 seasons spent with the Devils, New York Rangers, Montreal Canadiens, San Jose Sharks, Florida Panthers, St. Louis Blues and Ottawa Senators.
Over the last couple of seasons, Gomez had been playing on a series of one-year deals around the league, and had seen his playing time slowly dwindle until he decided to call it a career.
“People say, ‘You’ll find something.’ But saying that, there will never be that feeling again, of even playing a preseason NHL game. You’re playing at the highest level there is,” he said.
“But I’m done. I’m done.”
