BLOG: Duncan Keith Thanks Chicago in His Goodbye to Hockey

Earlier today, Blackhawk great Duncan Keith
announced his retirement after 17 years in the NHL
, all but one of which he spent in Chicago.
With his 8-year-old son Colton by his side, Keith spoke about the end of his hockey career surrounded by family, friends and teammates from the Edmonton Oilers organization, where he closed out his time on the ice. Through withheld tears, the star defenseman reminisced on his time in the league and thanked those that helped him throughout his career, including many from the Blackhawks organization.

RELATED LINKS
BLOG: Keith Announces Retirement from NHL
VERDICT: Keith, the Quintessential Hockey Player
25 IN 25: Keith's Teeth
25 IN 25: DK1K
GALLERY: Duncan Keith Through the Years
Here's what the former Chicago blueliner had to say in his emotional goodbye to the game of hockey.
On thanking the city of Chicago...
I do want to start by thanking the Blackhawks organization for giving me a chance to live out my childhood dream and be able to pull on an NHL sweater. The Chicago Blackhawks, Original Six. Big thank you to Rocky Wirtz, Danny Wirtz and the entire Wirtz family for giving me that opportunity. I know there's a lot of people in that organization that pulled for me to be drafted and give me a shot in the league. I have a huge thank you to Dale Tallon, I know he was instrumental in drafting me to the Blackhawks.
On starting his professional career...
I started out my pro career in Norfolk in the minors, and I owe a big thank you to Trent Yawney. He really helped me lay down the foundation for a pro career and taught me what it was all about to be a defenseman at this league and believe in me, that I could play defense being a smaller defenseman, and using my quickness and my speed, and my heart and determination. So thank you to Trent.

On his bond with Brent Seabrook...
When I think of those teammates, and the special bonds and memories that we've created, one guy that sticks out to me the most is Brent Seabrook. I was fortunate to play with him for over 1,000 games as defense partners, as defense teammates. I think we have the record for defenseman to play the most games together on a team in the NHL. So a lot of great memories with Brent...
...Brent was instrumental in my my hockey career when I won my two Norris trophies. I always my played my best hockey playing with Brent Seabrook, a big strong right-handed shot defenseman. I couldn't ask for a better player, a better person to play my whole career in Chicago with him. Thankful he was there, I think you guys joke around that I might not have made it to every practice or game had I not had him picking me up to get to the airport on time, and so very thankful for for teammate like Brent. A selfless leader that was huge for, not only just my career, but I think everybody else in Chicago at that time.

On the Chicago Blackhawks fans...
I'd like to thank the Blackhawk fans as well for their passion and their support over the years for my time in Chicago. They really guided us and helped us, cheer us on through the ups and downs and I got a lot of fond memories of my time in Chicago. When I decided to turn the page and leave Chicago, it was a very hard decision, but one decision that, looking back on, was one of the best decisions to make, and an emphasis on that was so I could be closer to my son Colton and play in front of him more.
And Keith's son, Colton, on the end of his dad's career, which ended the press conference...
He's been in the NHL his whole life, and it's different that he is gonna be retiring for his life.