After nine seasons in the NHL, Blackhawks forward Daniel Carcillo officially announced his retirement Thursday in an articled published in The Players' Tribune.
Carcillo, 30, called it a "Bittersweet Day," walking away from the game he loves, but is ready to focus full-time on something much bigger off the ice.
In honor of his former teammate and close friend Steve Montador, who died in February and suffered from depression, Carcillo created a not-for-profit organization called Chapter 5, which helps former and current players transition to life after hockey.
[MORE: Carcillo opens up about Montador, calls for change]
“Today, I’m retiring from the National Hockey League,” Carcillo wrote.