I was rather shocked to catch the news during the Flyers thrashing of the Islanders (finally and is it should be with the line-up) about Brett retiring just five games into the season. He still had another year with his deal in Phoenix and they had a ceremony to un-retire his father’s number for him. Too bad though. Thanks to the lockout, so many other great players didn’t have the opportunity to retire on a high note; Mark Messier and Ron Francis namely.
However, despite his reputation for being a cancer on the team (rumored reasons for being dumped by Dallas and Detroit) and his alcoholism (something Bobby has battled too), I salute and applaud his years in the NHL. He is the third highest goal scorer in NHL history. He has two Stanley Cup rings. He is pretty witty like my personal hockey hero Jeremy Roenick. And he has his own legacy in hockey without having to fall back on his father’s reputation as the Golden Jet.
Good luck Brett and thanks!