Edmonton Oilers
Oilers’ Mike Green Officially Announces NHL Retirement
Mike Green is officially retiring from the NHL, noting he sees his next calling is to help those who are less fortunate.
Last week, there was speculation Mike Green was set to retire from the NHL. It hadn’t been confirmed by Green himself or the Edmonton Oilers, but Elliotte Friedman noted as much during an episode of 31 Thoughts the podcast.
On Wednesday, Green made it official through an interview with The Athletic’s Tarik El-Bashir (subscription required).
Green told The Athletic he intends to retire after a 15-year career that included stops in Washington, Detroit and, briefly, Edmonton. Just 34, Green says he’s healthy and leaving the NHL is not about whether he can still play. Instead, he says he’s gained a new perspective on life during the NHL’s COVID-19 stoppage and that his next chapter includes working for the greater good.
Green Realizes There Is More to Life Than Hockey
“Being an athlete isn’t the only part of who I am,” Green said. “I am a husband, father, son, brother, uncle. I’ve been very fortunate to turn my passion into my profession, but at this point in my life, I’m considering other things that I feel called to do.” He added that too many people are hurting and he believes he can help. “I want to focus my energy differently, ground myself in the community, in family. But I also want to become a change agent for good.”
It was the injury he suffered in Edmonton and the time away, and then the NHL mandated pause that gave Green time to reflect.
“That hockey was abruptly removed from my life, it was tough for a while. But as the future was more and more uncertain, I became more aware of the things that are now the big things in my life — like my daughter crawling and laughing, teaching my son to fish. These are things you think you’re present for, and you think you’re around for when you’re playing. But your mind as a professional athlete, a lot of times, is thinking about the big stage and performing.”
Hopefully during his reflection time he realizes just how good a hockey player he really was. Green scored two 70-plus point seasons between 2008 and 2010 and finished second in the Norris trophy voting in those two seasons. He posted 150 goals and 501 points over 15 separate seasons.
It will be interesting to see what Green does first as a retired hockey player. Saying he realizes he’s been very fortunate, and a lot of people not so much, what causes will Green get behind?
Next: Tarasenko Requires Further Surgery, Will Miss Start of Next Season
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