After a 13-year career and over 800 games played, Taylor Pyatt is ready to hang up the skates.
“I had a few more injuries this year, a few more concussions. It’s just time for me to sort of step away,” Pyatt told TB (Thunder Bay) News Watch this week. “I’m proud of what I accomplished in my career, but now’s the time to take a little time away from the game and we’ll see.”
Picked eighth overall by the Isles at the 1999 NHL Entry Draft, Pyatt broke in with New York and proceeded to play for Buffalo, Vancouver, Arizona, New York (Rangers) and Pittsburgh before spending last season in Switzerland with Geneve-Servette -- where he played alongside his brother, Tom.
Pyatt’s most successful NHL stint came with the Canucks from 2006-08. He posted consecutive 37-point campaigns and scored a career-best 23 goals in ’06-07.
In 2012, he helped the surprising Coyotes advance to the Western Conference final by scoring six points in 16 playoff games, averaging over 15 minutes per night.
Pyatt wouldn’t rule out a return to the game in some capacity ldown the road, but sounded as though his playing days were essentially behind him.
I think it’ll start to hit me a little more in the fall when everyone starts going back to training camp and is starting to play again,” he said.