Chris Drury's Quiet Exit

You know you're getting old when everything hurts; and what doesn't hurt, doesn't work.

Retiring at age 35 would sound like a pretty good deal to most of us.  So Chris Drury's retirement from the NHL is not a tragedy in any real sense of the word. It's a disappointment that Drury's injuries kept him from reaching his full potential with the Rangers. Making him Rangers Captain was a case of putting a square peg in a round hole. It was a strain on everyone.

Lynn Zinser of the NY Times, who has known Drury since he was at Boston University, has written the best recap of Drury's legacy that I've read.

Lynn Zinser / NY Times:
A Reluctant Sports Star Discreetly Takes His Leave --

When Chris Drury announced his retirement from the N.H.L. on Friday, of course it was in the most low-profile way possible. There were no news conferences, no television appearances, no teary-eyed remembrances of a 12-year career. He had the players union release a statement and that was it. It did not even contain a quotation from Drury.

And you can be almost certain you won’t hear from Drury again...

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Drury's texted farewell message to Rangers fans:

It was a great honor and privilege to be a New York Ranger for the past four years, and I will always be grateful for the opportunity to fulfill that childhood dream. The Rangers are a first-class organization with great people in the hockey, public relations, team services and community relations departments.

I would also like to thank Ranger fans. They always inspired me to do the best I could in whatever role I was asked to play. Playing before them in The Garden was a thrill of a lifetime. I wish all the fans and the entire Ranger organization the best of luck in the future.

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Drury's last and only goal of the 2010-11 season:

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USA Today:
Chris Drury's career [photos] --

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