Domi
TORONTO -- Saying he just "couldn't put on another
jersey," longtime Toronto Maple Leafs enforcer Tie Domi retired
Tuesday.
"I love hockey, I love the Toronto Maple Leafs, this is my
home," Domi said, his voice cracking with emotion during a packed
news conference at the Air Canada Centre. "There were other
interests, but I couldn't see myself wearing another jersey other
than the blue and white."
Domi said he has taken a job with The Sports Network, Canada's
version of ESPN.
"I may leaving the ice, but I'm not leaving hockey," Domi
said. "I am excited and nervous in my new role, but I promise to
bring the same person that had the passion, dedication and the
enthusiasm to the broadcast arena that I delivered to the ice."
The 36-year-old Domi was something of a hockey dinosaur as the
role of enforcer decreased while speed and skill have been
emphasized in the new NHL.
The Leafs bought out the remaining year of his contract during
the offseason. They are paying him $833,000 over two years,
two-thirds of the $1.25 million he was owed.
"We want to thank Tie for his many years of service to the
organization," Leafs GM John Ferguson said in June while
announcing the buyout. "He became a fan favorite for a reason."
Domi spent the final 11 seasons of his career in Toronto. He's
fourth all-time in NHL penalty minutes with just over 3,500.
He played 1,020 career games in the league with the Leafs,
New York Rangers and Winnipeg Jets.