Wings' Holmstrom Decides To Hang 'Em Up
By: Jeff Riger
Tuesday at Joe Louis Arena another longtime Red Wings player decided to call it quits. Tomas Holmstrom, after having all the success that anybody could hope for, announced his retirement in a press conference geared towards the fans, his family and the media. Holmstrom played in over 1,000 games as a Wing and won four Stanley Cups, plus accomplished many other achievements. Argue if you will, but Holmstrom will go down as the best net front presence in the history of the game. To master any one thing in the NHL is pretty impressive, especially considering that many believed Holmstrom did not have what it takes to play in the league at all.
Below are some of the more interesting quotes from Homer on his retirement day...
On when he decided to retire:
"During the lockout, yeah. Nobody was really calling me or whatever, I tried to really stay away from it until the lockout was over and then I was going to announce it."
On people wondering why he put his body through so much abuse:
"Some people might think that I'm crazy all those years, taking thousands of cross checking's to my neck, to my head, to my back and then have my team mates shooting 100 mile per hour pucks at me too. But, I had the greatest job in the world."
On his relationship with Nick Lidstom...
"Nick Lidstrom took care of me, he showed me around! I didn't know he was going to be such a good friend 15 years later. A Great captain, really good friend and all the car rides for 15 years. I can't remember how much we have been talking, or maybe I was doing the talking? He's a great listener for sure."
On missing the game ...
"Yeah, for sure I will miss it. I love to come to Joe Louis, I spent lots of time here, even when practice was over to stay here and talk to the boys, just hang around, that's what it was all about. I think you play better when you have a good environment like that."
Watch the Homer retirement press conference below.
