At 36 years of age, Mike McKenna announced his retirement from playing hockey via Twitter with a typically heartfelt, honest and thoughtful letter.

Whatever else he was and how he might have been viewed as a player, McKenna was one of the nice guys on the AHL circuit and had time for people. Time is truly the greatest gift you can give anyone.

Drafted 172nd overall by Nashville Predators in 2002, McKenna would rarely feature in the NHL (35 games) during a professional career that begun way back in 2005.

Certainly the St. Louis native earned his stripes in minor hockey by positing impressive stats (.925Sv% and 46-6-8 record) with the now defunct Las Vegas Wranglers of the ECHL during his first two seasons.

A first taste of the big time arrived during the 2008-09 campaign with the Tampa Bay Lightning and though not setting the world alight, did post a shutout in the process of putting together a losing 4-8-1 record.

By my count the goaltender suited up for 25 different professional teams, with the majority of those in the American Hockey League which must have placed a great strain on his family.
McKenna regularly bounced from city to city during his career, rarely staying anywhere for more than one season and NHL call-ups could often take you far away from the affiliate where your loved ones were based.

Yes it’s professional sport and that’s one of the hazards but that can certainly take it’s toll when that situation is in effect for 8-9 months of the year.

As per the American Hockey League communications department, McKenna ranks 8th all-time in wins (231), 9th in appearances (477) and T-10th in shutouts (27).
Certainly not numbers to be sniffed at and he was one of the most sought-out free agents every summer for organisation’s seeking depth and a dependable AHL goaltender.

In post-season play, the American goaltender posted a winning 34-31 record and a 0.912 Sv%.

Twice a losing Finalist with Syracuse and Texas in 2017 and 2018 respectively, I had a birds eye view of the veteran netminder almost stealing a championship for the Stars with outstanding performances between the pipes that forced Toronto into a seven game series.
If anyone deserved a championship it was Mike and I would not have begrudged him one even if it had come against the team follow.

At least he was able to finish his career with some NHL outings albeit with teams struggling in the standings.

An articulate and insightful thinker about hockey, I would not be surprised if retirement from playing turns into a coaching career or one in broadcasting as an analyst.
Though I’m sure he’s going to take the opportunity for time out with his family after asking them to sacrifice so much during his days of pulling down the mask.

The AHL is full of hard-working earnest guys like Mike McKenna and they deserve as much respect as any who call time. A consummate pro who always gave whatever team he played for a chance to win and didn‘t moan about his lot despite what was thrown at him .

Happy retirement Mike McKenna and best wishes in whatever is to follow.