Peter Forsberg Retires

Added on Feb 15, 2011 by J Merrill in

NHL

Peter Forsberg has announced he will no longer be playing hockey, and effective immediately has retired from the Colorado Avalanche and the NHL. Citing problems with his left foot, after attempting a comeback that was just two games old, Forsberg announced that he will end his fantastic career. In response, the Colorado Avalanche announced that they will be retiring his number 21 at a game next season.

An emotional Forsberg, with his fiancée Nicole Nordin at his side, said “The time has finally come I’m retiring from the game of ice hockey. I’ve played hockey all my life, but I’ve come to the decision that I’ve played my final game. It’s perfect for me to announce my retirement in Denver, as a member of the Colorado Avalanche.” He continued “One thing’s for sure, I won’t second-guess myself. I really tried and I tried and I tried. I’m really sure about the decision. I’m done, period. I can’t do it.”

Forsberg said he made the decision after speaking with his family, and he called Colorado General Manager Greg Sherman to discuss the matter. He said “It was not an easy decision, believe me. The process was extremely tough throughout my career. I had 25 surgeries and I promised Nicole here that I would not put my health at risk anymore.”

Forsberg talked about the two game she has played in, since signing a deal with the Avalanche. He said

“The first game went actually so-so, but I had to take into consideration that it had been a few years since I played over here. After the game, I started to feel that my foot was slipping a little bit. In the second game it was becoming more evident that it was not going to work out. I had the brace and it felt good in practices. I thought it was good, that I could play with it. I was struggling there at the end of the game. I couldn’t really do what I wanted to do on the ice. I had (retiring) in the back of my mind. I was not in a good mood that we lost again. I had a feeling after the game that maybe it’s better to leave the game. We had a discussion in the morning. I said I can’t protect myself. After the game I wasn’t 100-percent sure.” He continued “When we came home, I promised Nicole that I was not going to play. I couldn’t defend myself on the ice.”

Forsberg said he was really happy that the Avs gave him the opportunity to come back and play. He said “I feel like this was the last time. I’m really happy that I got the chance from the Avalanche to come back here and try for the last time and knowing for sure that I’m not going to play anymore. Maybe I was a little selfish to come over, but in the back of my mind it feels good now. I feel like I’m ready to retire.”

He concluded “When I look back, I’ll be feeling pretty good about my career,” said Forsberg, who also won Olympic gold medals for Sweden in 1994 and 2006. “I hope people here remember that when I walked out of the rink, I gave everything.”