Fans Stunned as Former Leafs Defenseman Announces Retirement in Surprising Fashion
Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
A major surprise in the NHL as a former Maple Leafs defenseman suddenly retires from the league for an unexpected opportunity.
Defenseman Tyson Barrie has retired from the National Hockey League after 14 seasons. Barrie, 34, had played with the Colorado Avalanche, Toronto Maple Leafs, Edmonton Oilers, Nashville Predators, & Calgary Flames.
Barrie was acquired by the Toronto Maple Leafs alongside Alex Kerfoot in 2019 as part of the deal that sent Nazem Kadri to Colorado.
A solid puck-moving offensive defenseman, Barrie played just one season for Toronto before signing with the Oilers in the offseason.
Barrie was someone expected to contend for a PTO contract, but has instead decided to retire from Hockey, and for a surprising reason.
Fans Reacted to the News Of Tyson Barrie's Retirement
Tyson Barrie spoke to DNVR and spoke on his retirement, something that came to a shock to some fans who didn't realize Barrie had retired from the NHL.
It was made official by the NHL a day later that Barrie had indeed retired, ending a career of 822 games in the league.
As to why Barrie is retiring from Hockey, the indication is that he is going to be spending some more time focusing on his own personal business ventures.
Barrie is the co-founder of beer brand, 'Chilly Ones', a company he helped kickstart last year. Barrie is expected to dedicate more time to the brand and helping to spearhead it's growth.
What This Retirement Means for His Legacy
Outside of Toronto is likely where Tyson Barrie will be remembered for being one of the top offensive defensemen of the 2010's, although he won't be on the upper echelon of the greats.
Barrie was a top performer for Colorado and their top defenseman in the years before Cale Makar. Barrie was never Makar, but Barrie was key in the playdriver role that Makar greatly expanded upon with the Avalanche.
In Toronto, Barrie will be remembered for the fact that he was a solid puck-mover, one of the Leafs first real transition threats beyond Morgan Rielly.
He may also be remembered for being the return for Nazem Kadri, who won the cup with Colorado, which had been a tough blow to the Leafs, but still value extracted from Barrie and Kerfoot.
It's likely that Tyson Barrie will be remembered for his ability to generate offense and be a cog in the early 2010's Avalanche, as well as a solid defenseman in his one year with Toronto.
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