PRESS RELEASE!
I have decided to step away from the game of hockey. It feels weird to say retire, but I guess that’s what it is.
I’m not sure if a Twitter thread is an appropriate forum to announce this but when you were a bubble guy, there’s no press conference, banner
1/18
Hey Leaf Nation - I know things aren’t off to a hot start right now. And I know that’s frustrating. But guess what - Mitch isn’t at home counting his money. My guess - He’s struggling with the amount of pressure he’s putting on himself to perform so that this
(1/6)
when it wasn’t!
That’s it. Thanks for reading and taking part in my Twitter retirement press conference.
I wish all of you the best and I look forward to enjoying this game from the stands again! See you around the rinks.
-PH
On July 1, 2019 Auston Matthews received a signing bonus for $15,200,000
Today that same signing bonus is worth:
$14,430,000 if he put it under his mattress
$56,300,000 if he received it in
#bitcoin
people, not hockey robots. Remember that a big part of performance is mental. Let’s do our part to be agents of constructive/ positive influence and not add to or create further issues. Rant over.
#LeafsForever
🔵⚪️
(6/6)
Chychrun hasn't played a 70 game season yet. Meanwhile the NHL's all time ironman is a chubby dude who loves cookies, is associated with hot dogs, and once said he'd quit hockey if he couldn't have Coca-Cola in the dressing room. Habits are good but min-maxing isn't everything
Morgan Rielly of the
@MapleLeafs
became the third NHL defenseman to record 45+ points through the first 41 team games in a season since 1995-96.
The others:
Brian Leetch in 2000-01 (11-37—48 w/ NYR)
Bryan McCabe in 2005-06 (15-32—47 w/ TOR)
#NHLStats
Doesn’t matter to me if Matthews gets a few games for that cross check.
What makes me happy is he finally went back at someone instead of meme facing. Little piss and vinegar 👍🏻
Deeply saddened by the passing of Johnny Bower. I worked a few events with him and he was one of the kindest, humblest, and most philanthropic alumni I had the privilege of meeting. Leaf Nation lost a special person today. Rest In Peace Mr. Bower
Toronto playoff idea: Someone set up a drive-in movie sized projector screen in
@TrinityBellwood
and host a
@MapleLeafs
viewing party for fans? $20/ head and all proceeds go to front line workers. $10 m if you show up in a Leafs jersey.
fell off a cliff the moment I was traded out of Toronto. I could never rekindle that spark I had when wearing a Leaf jersey. It was like my hockey path was always destined to allow me to wear my boyhood colours; the blue and white. And wow, am I ever blessed to have gotten
6/18
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
I read all your comments, saw all your messages, photos, & links, & relived the memories you shared with me.
Never in a million years did I expect that level of response! I hope the next Twitter retirement gets the same support 🙏🏻
Excited to share my diploma arrived this week from
@SNHU
recognizing my BS Business Administration degree.
Graduated with a 3.93 GPA: good enough for Summa Cum Laude & President’s List Honors
#humblebrag
Thank you to the
@NHLPA
for providing education support to players.
Fun fact: The bench was heated so my butt was hot to the point that I had to sit on a shower towel - But my fingers and toes were numb from the cold. Great winner by
@Bozie42
though!
inhelpful energy, how about we take a second and direct our passion in a constructive manner. One where we appreciate the fact we have a guy like Mitch on the roster - one of the best players in the league! Yes, his contract comes with a lot of responsibility. But there
(3/6)
need to feel the weight of Leaf Nation on his shoulder as well. It can be very lonely to feel like you’re letting down your team, the fans, the media, a whole city all at once.
And btw - that goes for every other guy on the roster who gets vilified as well. These are
(5/6)
Leaf team can live up to everyone’s lofty expectations for them. So, instead of writing about your wish list of replacement guys you’d rather have, that Mitch is overpaid, concocting hypothetical trades that involve getting rid of him, calling Dubas an idiot, or other
(2/6)
are very capable people in positions of influence to hold Mitch accountable; most notably himself, followed by his teammates, the coaching staff, and Leaf management alike. As fans we should take it upon ourselves then to try to raise him up because I guarantee he doesn’t
(4/6)
One of my first days in Toronto Dion gave me his number and told me to message him if I ever needed anything. He knew I was from Toronto but that didn’t matter because he wanted to welcome, include, and assist everyone on the team as best he could. It’s disappointing how
(1/3)
BREAKING: If Dion Phaneuf could do it all over again, he would have stopped Salutegate before it ever happened. Today, Phaneuf will officially announce his retirement from hockey and be honoured tonight by the Leafs. My interview with him...
team, an incredible defensemen, and most importantly a tremendous human being. He shouldered a lot of backlash and responsibility in Toronto, the toughest market in the NHL, with class and dignity.
Enjoy retirement my friend, you have earned it.
(3/3)
I thought the Leafs played extremely well last night. In a one game showdown like game 7, anything can happen.
That was an effort which all players and fans can be proud of. The fellas left it all out there.
Funny note. First time I met Babs was after he watched a summer skate, pre training camp. He says, “You’re pretty good eh. But why don’t I know who you are?” So I reminded him of this goal 😂😂
#oops
?
basketball, volleyball, competed in track and field, golf and competitive soccer. I truly believe I loved hockey as long as I did because I didn’t burn out of it. If your kids are lucky enough for hockey to become a job that’s great - But I promise they’ll miss the days
17/18
Back in 2013 a friend of mine went on a date with Peter Holland. Once the season ended and the Leafs were eliminated from making the playoffs she texted him saying “enjoy golfing”.
and ever since I’ve tried to aspire to that level of pettiness.
your day-to-day lives if even for just a few moments.
Finally, if I can offer any advice to parents of young hockey players out there; let them decide how much they want to play. I played multiple sports growing up - It was never just hockey. I played flag football,
16/18
Update: Russian quarantine day 4. Making “To-Do” lists so I feel like I’m accomplishing something in my day. If you have any suggestions for me to add to my list, let me know. Thanks.
I got to play for “my” team too? There’s some things in this world which you just can’t explain.
And now it’s time to move on to the next chapter; where I can put my education, zest for knowledge, and passion towards a new endeavour - closer to family.
I’ve already
8/18
that opportunity. Once that was over, it was as though I had accomplished the pinnacle of all my hopes and dreams. Did I dream of hoisting a Stanley Cup? Heck yeah! But as a boy - to even make it to the NHL was a long shot. So what are the odds
7/18
Hospital Toronto. I’m sure I got more out of those visits than the kids.
Some things I know for certain: I always tried my best; I cared deeply about my team; I wanted to win for everyone in the dressing room, as well as everyone in the stands (especially everyone in the
11/18
I’m doing it on my own terms with my health - something not to be taken for granted. Especially after playing a highly competitive and physical game professionally for over a decade. Not to mention the 15 years before that.
Admittedly, my passion for the game really
5/18
always tried to represent my family, my team, and the community in a positive light.
In fact, one of the things I am most proud of from my playing days was my willingness to get involved in the community. None more special than visiting and contributing to SickKids
10/18
confront the reality that hockey had become unenjoyable for me. I was no longer committed to getting better and therefore I was getting worse. It was an unsustainable trajectory not only for my career but also for my mental health, and therefore it was better to stop
3/18
raising, or puck drop at centre ice. 😂
So here it is:
It’s strange to think that something which has been a part of me since before I can remember will no longer be a part of my future. This was not an easy decision, but in order to be honest with myself, it was time to
2/18
expressed my sincerest thanks and gratitude to my family so I don’t need to do that again here, but I did want to thank each and every one of you for supporting and following my hockey career. Our potential social impact as players was something I never took lightly, and I
9/18
misunderstood and unappreciated he was as captain from time to time. But if I can offer a peak behind the curtain for the fans and the media who were often responsible for putting his head on a stake, Dion was the heartbeat of our
(2/3)
top bowl!); and most of all I cared about being a good teammate.
With that said, I want to extend a HUGE thanks to all my teammates, equipment staff, and all the team personnel who made the day-to-day operations tick - I see you guys too! I have made some life long
12/18
altogether.
Also, life comes at you fast! With a young family of my own, having to pack up and move every 6 or 8 months, being away from extended family (sometimes 10 hours apart) - it just wasn’t worth it anymore.
But perhaps most importantly,
4/18
I’ll never forget the feeling of coming out of the tunnel onto a fresh sheet of ice, with the potential to bring each and every one of you out of your seat with a good play, hit, fight, or goal. It was an honour to provide you some entertainment and let you escape from
15/18
you went to bat for me and helped give me an opportunity to live and continue living my dream. So thank you.
Last but certainly not least, Thanks to you: the fans, the critics, and the media. The combination of you all makes this crazy sport of hockey worth playing.
14/18
We’ve acquired Jake McCabe, Sam Lafferty, a conditional 5th round pick in 2024 and a conditional 5th round pick in 2025 from Chicago in exchange for a conditional 2025 1st round pick, 2026 2nd round pick, Joey Anderson and Pavel Gogolev
At this point, this may have more entertainment value to me than watching Phil and Tiger play for their 100th million.
@HayesTSN
grinding out <200 with
@odognine2
in his ear - get them a TV contract
friendships from this game, both players and staff, and for that I am eternally grateful.
A thank you to all my coaches and GMs. Although not all of our relationships were equal, even the ones where we butted heads, I know there were meetings I wasn’t involved in where
13/18
How are we supposed to take Canada’s top doctor, Dr Tam, seriously when the government puts out these statistics? Not supposed to kiss while having sex ... the misinformation campaign is showing its head.
One of my favourite pictures from my time with the Leafs. Sorta romantic skating through centre ice with the Leaf logo under my feet. The blurry quality adds to it since it reminds me of images from MLG which is where I saw Sundin, Domi, Clark, & Gilmour skate over that same logo