The Montreal Canadiens organization has just made an important announcement.

After 6 seasons in the National Hockey League, defenseman Chris Wideman has decided to announce his retirement.

Given how much he loved being in the Canadiens’ locker room, how well-liked he was as a teammate, and how much he loved playing hockey, this must have been an extremely difficult and heartbreaking decision for him.

Official statement:
Defenseman Chris Wideman announced his retirement on Tuesday following six NHL seasons with the Canadiens, Ottawa Senators, Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers.

See below a letter from Wideman:

«There was a point in time during my career that I thought I’d never have the opportunity to write a note like this, and to leave the game with even more love than when I started playing at 3 years old – but I can. It is the greatest accomplishment of my professional career.

After much thought, I have decided it is best for my health and my family to retire from playing hockey professionally. I made numerous attempts at rehabilitation, therapy and many different treatments, but eventually it became apparent that returning to the game I love would not be possible.

While this is a difficult day for me, it is also a day of reflection and gratitude.

I am incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to live out my childhood dream of playing in the National Hockey League.

When I left Miami University in the Spring of 2012, I could never have imagined how incredibly rewarding the next 12 years would be.

Those years brought many reasons to celebrate. Although there were certainly challenging times, I am lucky to have a support system of family and friends that were there consistently encouraging me to keep on going.

From an early age, my mother told me, «If you don’t believe in yourself, nobody else will believe in you.» That adage remained in the back of my mind as my career met quite a few roadblocks along the way.
 

He was an important player and mentor to many young players within the organization, including Cole Caufield.

Wideman can be very proud of what he has accomplished here and throughout his career.