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Veteran NHLer Taylor Pyatt says it's time to call it a career

Taylor Pyatt is calling it a career. The Thunder Bay former NHLer, who spent the past season playing in Switzerland and was a member of Canada’s Spengler Cup squad, confirmed on Monday he’s stepping away from the game.
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Former NHLer Tayor Pyatt spent last season in Switzerland, but says it's time to retire from hockey at 33. (Leith Dunick, tbnewswatch.com)

Taylor Pyatt is calling it a career.

The Thunder Bay former NHLer, who spent the past season playing in Switzerland and was a member of Canada’s Spengler Cup squad, confirmed on Monday he’s stepping away from the game.

His body just couldn’t take the constant beating, said the 33-year-old, who played his final season alongside younger brother Tom.

“I had a few more injuries this year, a few more concussions. It’s just time for me to sort of step away. I’m proud of what I accomplished in my career, but now’s the time to take a little time away from the game and we’ll see,” said Pyatt, taking part in the celebrity pro-am at the Staal Foundation Open at Whitewater Golf Course.

Pyatt last played in the NHL in 2013-14, picked up by the Pittsburgh Penguins after being released by the Rangers.

He scored four times in 34 games with the Penguins and did not dress for the playoffs.

For his career the former first-round pick of the New York Islanders finished with 140 goals and 280 points in 859 games.

He added another 10 goals and 29 points in 64 NH playoff games and finished with 14 goals and 25 points in 38 games last season with Geneve Servette in the Swiss A League.

Pyatt said he might have interest getting back in the game at some point in time down the road, but for now he just plans to relax.

“I just want to get through the summer here and enjoy myself. I think it’ll start to hit me a little more in the fall when everyone starts going back to training camp and is starting to play again.”

He said he’ll always cherish his final season playing with brother Tom.

“We never really had a chance to play together at all,” he said. “There’s a six-year age difference. I left home when I was 16 to play and he was pretty young. So it was fun to be able to spend a lot of time with him, play on the same line, drive to practice every day together. I really enjoyed it.”

Tom Pyatt, who is on his honeymoon this week, was third on the team with 33 points in 50 games.



Leith Dunick

About the Author: Leith Dunick

A proud Nova Scotian who has called Thunder Bay home since 2002, Leith is Dougall Media's director of news, but still likes to tell your stories too. Wants his Expos back and to see Neil Young at least one more time. Twitter: @LeithDunick
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