Martin St. Louis walks away from the game a champion for the little guy
MSL (Elsa Getty Images)
Martin St. Louis is calling it a career today. His accomplishments alone are enough to get him into the Hall of Fame, but when you factor in his diminutive size they become all that more impressive.
Generously listed at 5’8″, MSL played 16 years in the league and captured both the Hart and Lester B. Pearson awards in 2003-04 for MVP honors as voted by the media and his peers. Also on his resume are 3 Lady Byng Trophies, 2 Art Ross scoring titles and 1 Stanley Cup.
Martin St.Louis (Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports)
MSL had defied the odds with hard work and determination to not only play in the NHL but to thrive. In a league dominated by far bigger men, he is a champion for the little guy. At one time, players between 5’6″ and 5’10” weren’t all that rare. Theo Fleury, Joe Murphy, Pat Lafontaine and Marcel Dionne at one time during the 80’s and 90’s thrived in the league. Now you are hard pressed to find a handful of small guys that can dominate a game. Today almost everyone in the NHL is at least 6′ tall.
Oddly enough, two smaller players that are making some noise in the NHL are on MSL’s former teams. Tyler Johnson in Tampa Bay and Mats Zuccarello in NY have both openly stated their admiration for MSL and how he has inspired them to defy the odds.
Marty walks away from the game a champion in every way. However, one of the lasting impressions he will leave behind is being the hero to all the undersized hockey players in the world today. Here’s to a brilliant career and a great life after hockey.
[su_quote cite=”MSL via NBC” url=”https://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2015/07/02/curtains-on-broadway-martin-st-louis-calls-it-a-career/”]”I have been blessed to play for 16 years in the NHL; it has been an amazing ride. I would like to thank the Tampa Bay Lightning and New York Rangers organizations and owners for providing me the opportunity to play the sport I love for so many years. I could have never played for so long or accomplished all that I have without the unwavering love and support from my wife, Heather, our three sons, Ryan, Lucas, and Mason, and my parents. I have had the good fortune of working with some incredible players and trainers throughout my career who I am grateful to also call good friends. I am also thankful to all of the fans who have supported me through the years; it has meant so much to me. I have dedicated my life to being the best player I could be and now want to turn more of my focus to my three boys. I look forward to this next chapter of my life and the time I will have with my family.”[/su_quote]
OFFICIAL: Martin St. Louis announces retirement from the National Hockey League. #NYR pic.twitter.com/B8PKD7xqZz
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) July 2, 2015
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