EDMONTON – Edmonton Oilers veteran Ryan Smyth has announced his retirement, after playing nearly two decades in the National Hockey League.
Friday afternoon, Smyth sat at a table with Oilers GM Craig MacTavish, who pulled out a box of tissue for the left-winger prior to the announcement.
“Mac T has extended me for six more years,” Smyth joked, as he began his retirement speech.
“There comes a time in my life when you have to turn the page and today I am doing that.”
Smyth began by thanking Glen Sather for giving him the opportunity to play in the NHL, calling it a “dream come true.” He went on to thank numerous players, coaches, trainers, and the fans who helped him throughout his career. He also thanked long-time Oilers locker room attendant Joey Moss.
“To my teammates, best of luck in your careers and enjoy every game because you don’t know when it will your last,” said Smyth.
He also thanked his family for their support throughout the years.
“I have a wonderful family… to enjoy the rest of my life with. I want to thank my kids for their understanding and patience when daddy has not been there… I love you.
“I want to thank my parents…mom, the endless times you tied up my skates when I was younger. Dad, your work ethic seemed to rub off on me. But both of you, for putting on a lot of miles to watch games, I love you guys.”
To his wife, Smyth said, “you’re a great mother and an even better wife. Thank you for believing in me.
“You are my soulmate… I love you.”
While the tissue was brought out for him, Smyth remained composed throughout his speech.
“I didn’t want to be the guy known as ‘cryin’ Ryan,’ from the trade,” he said with a laugh, referencing his 2007 trade to the New York Islanders.
The 38-year-old Banff, AB native has spent the majority of his career in the copper and blue, donning the Oilers jersey 970 times as of Thursday evening. The only player to wear the Oilers jersey more was Kevin Lowe.
Smyth was drafted 6th overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft.
The left-winger spent 12 seasons in the City of Champions before being traded to the New York Islanders, on what proved to be an emotional day for number 94.
Watch below: John Sexsmith’s story from 2007, on the day Ryan Smyth left Edmonton for New York
His time away from Edmonton wasn’t long, though, in 2011, Smyth was re-acquired by the Oilers.
Over the span of his NHL career, Smyth has played in 1,268 regular season games, scored 386 goals – 296 as an Oiler – and sat in the penalty box for a total of 974 minutes.
Earlier this year, Smyth scored his 126th career power play goal with the Oilers, tying Glenn Anderson for the team record.
Smyth also played for Team Canada at the 2006 Olympics in Torino and won gold with the team at the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City.
Watch below: Ryan Smyth’s full retirement announcement
After Smyth’s announcement, MacTavish thanked him for the passion he brought to the game of hockey and the city of Edmonton as a whole.
“When I think about Ryan and his contribution on the ice, it was always about the passion to play to game,” he said. “There are many players that have worn the Edmonton Oiler jersey, but there are no players that have worn the jersey that had more passion than Ryan Smyth.”
Smyth will hang up his skates after his last NHL game against the Vancouver Canucks on home ice Saturday night; a game he hopes to win.
Watch below: A look back at some of Smyth’s contributions to the City of Edmonton
Watch Below: Fans at Thursday’s Oilers game react to reports Ryan Smyth is retiring
Photo gallery: Ryan Smyth through the years
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