“it’s time”

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With those words to open a tweet, Henrik Lundqvist announced his retirement form the National Hockey League on Friday.

Goalie Henrik Lundqvist (#30) of the New York Rangers makes a glove save in the first period.

Legions of New York Rangers fans will breath a sigh of relief that thier club will not have to face their former hero.

“It’s time,” Lundqvist posted on his Twitter account. “For the last 30 years I have devoted my life to the game of hockey … and now it’s time to walk away from the game I love and begin a new chapter.”

Lundqvist, 39, played his entire 15-year NHL career on Broadway.  One goal never reached was hoisting the Stanley Cup.  There is little he did not accomplish otherwise.

In 2020, the Rangers bought out the final year of Lundqvist’s contract; he signed a one-year deal with the Washington Capitals for the 2020-21.

All of that was cut short when Lundqvist was diagnosed with a heart issue requiring open heart surgery.

“There are many things I love about this game: From the excitement I felt as an 8-year old at my first practice to the 15 years of butterflies I had every time I took the ice in the greatest city in the world,” Lundqvist said. “I’m extremely grateful for what hockey has brought me and taught me in life. Those lessons will never leave me.”

https://twitter.com/SInow/status/1428735686404976640?s=20

He retires from the NHL ranked sixth in NHL history in wins, seventh in saves (23,509), eighth in games played (887), ninth in starts (871), ninth in time on ice (51,816:51) and 17th in shutouts.

Cheers to The King.