In an interview on the Spittin' Chiclets podcast, former NHL forward Wojtek Wolski announced that he is retiring from professional hockey.

"I actutally talked to the GM today and thought about it, but didn't tell my wife. I think I'm going to retire..I guess this is it, ya I guess I'm retiring boys." Wolski said on the podcast.

Wolski, 34, was drafted in the first round, 21st overall by the Colorado Avalanche in the 2004 NHL entry draft. He spent seven years in the NHL with Colorado, Phoenix, the New York Rangers, Florida, and Washington. In 451 regular season games, he put up 267 points (99 G, 168 A), 113 penalty minutes, and was a +17. In 29 career playoff games, he tallied 17 points (8 G, 9 A), 8 penalty minutes, and was a -4.

Following his NHL career, he went to the KHL and played six and a half years there. Wolski played for Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod, Metallurg Magnitogorsk, and Kunlun Red Star. In 288 regular season games, he had 210 points (90 G, 120 A), 194 penalty minutes, and was a +39. In 46 playoff games, Wolski recorded 28 points (10 G, 18 A), 39 penalty minutes, and was a +11.

He went on to win the Gagarin Cup as KHL champions with Metallurg Magnitogorsk during the 2015-16 season.

In October of 2016, Wolski suffered a serous injury, which many thought may have ended his career. He slid head first into the boards, fracturing two vertebrae, suffered a concussion, and even spent time in the ICU. Wolski went on to miss the remainder of the 2016-17 KHL season, but made a full recovery and returned the following season.

During the 2019-20 season, Wolski signed a contract to play with HC Ambri-Piotta during the 2019 Spengler Cup. In 3 games, he had no points, 2 penalty minutes, and was a +/-0. HC Ambri-Piotta lost in the semi-finals against HC Ocelari Trinec, the team Wolski went on to join following the tournament.

Internationally, Wolski has represented Canada on one occasion, the 2018 Winter Olympics. Because no NHL players were allowed, Hockey Canada selected the best available Canadian players based in European leagues. In 6 games, Wolski put up 4 points (3 G, 1 A), 0 penalty minutes, and was a +3 as Canada won the bronze medal by defeating the Czech Republic.

We would like to wish Wojtek Wolski all the best in retirement, and congratulate him on a great career.

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