Adam McQuaid, 2011 Stanley Cup Winner With Bruins, Officially Retires

Adam McQuaid, the tough-as-nails stay-at-home defenseman who won the 2011 Stanley Cup as a member of the Boston Bruins, announced his official retirement from the game. "I guess technically I would say today is probably the first time that I would say that I'm done, publicly, but I guess I've known for awhile now that I wouldn't be playing again," he said in a phone interview from his home in Boston.

"I probably had a pretty good idea at that time that the chances of me playing again were really slim but I still wanted to go through the process of seeing what might be possible," he said. 

"It got to a point where I felt like I really kind of tapped out my body."

He said he feels much better these days and the last thing he wants is sympathy. In fact, he said there are many people who deserve his thanks for supporting him throughout his 11-year career.

"I am beyond fortunate to have been able to play as long as I did and to have the experiences that I did. I don't look back on my situation and think, 'Oh, things got cut short … or poor me,' by any means."

The rugged Prince Edward Island native last played two years ago for the Columbus Blue Jackets. As mean and tough as he could be on the ice, the soft-spoken McQuaid was the epitome of a gentleman off of it and always accomodating to folks. 

One of the fiercest fighters in the league while he played, McQuaid was a quintessential crease-clearer and beloved teammate. Though known for being a defensive defenseman, arguably the biggest play of his career happened in the offensive end when he pinched down low to keep the puck in the zone in overtime of Game 7 of the First Round series vs. the Canadiens in 2011. Seconds later, Nathan Horton sent the Habs home thanks to McQuaid's assist.

Including playoffs, McQuaid played 580 NHL games. He becomes the second D-man from the 2011 Bs to retire in the last two months as Johnny Boychuk called it a career in late November. 

Enjoy retirement, Adam. You sure as hell earned it.