Hockey folk hero John Scott — the onetime, short-time Shark who stole the show at last year’s NHL All-Star Weekend — announced his retirement Wednesday.
A quick word before we share a couple of his going-away comments. In covering the Sharks and the NHL for 26 seasons, I never met a player who was as polar opposite of the perception most had of Scott, who played for San Jose in 2014-15.
Physically imposing by standing 6-feet-8 (out of skates) and weighing 260 pounds, Scott is as grounded and sincere as can be. He’s unassuming, selfless, easy-going, funny, supportive and as popular a teammate as anyone you’d meet.