FEATURE: Kris Versteeg Officially Announces Retirement

On the first day of his life as a former professional hockey player, Kris Versteeg remains in awe of what transpired during his 11 seasons - five with the Blackhawks - in the NHL.

"Looking back, I can't believe pretty much everything is real - it seems like such a dream that it was even a possibility I would have this career," said Versteeg, who officially announced his retirement Tuesday. "I'm sure I'll know more truly how I feel as the seasons go on and I'm not playing, but at this moment just knowing it's over it's hard just because of everything you put into it. But it's also satisfying knowing everything that I achieved and the friendships I made and the people I met."

Versteeg played in 643 career NHL games, including 294 during two stints with the Blackhawks from 2007-10 and '13-15, respectively. While the Lethbridge, Alberta, native also played for the Maple Leafs, Flyers, Panthers, Hurricanes, Kings and Flames, it is Versteeg's time with the Blackhawks, with whom he helped win Stanley Cups in '10 and '15, that he remembers most fondly.

"My first-ever game in Calgary, my hometown, playing with the Blackhawks was a fond memory but the 2010 Stanley Cup is by far the memory that will last with me for a lifetime because of the group of guys," said the 33-year-old Versteeg, who attempted an NHL comeback in 2019-20 and played six games with the Blackhawks' AHL affiliate before stepping away. "We were just like a brotherhood in the way everyone hung out together going to dinner and movies. They're still some of my really good friends to this day. It's just wild how one group of young kids kind of shocked the whole world. It was so fun to be a small part of that.

"The group we had made it fun and the city coming back to life with hockey made it even more fun," Versteeg added. "It was wild to see people of all ages and genders coming back to be fans of the Blackhawks. It was really an amazing time to be alive."

When asked which teammates he bonded with the most during this stints with the Blackhawks, Versteeg began rattling off names, including Dustin Byfuglien, Troy Brouwer, Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Andrew Ladd, Ben Eager, Brent Sopel, Adam Burish, Patrick Sharp, Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook before finally settling on "there have been a lot."

It was experiences and interactions with players, coaches and team personnel ranging from the top of the organization to the bottom that will remain etched in Versteeg's memory, including his favorite on-ice story and it involved former Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville.

During a Nov. 3, 2008 game against the Avalanche at the United Center, Versteeg raced down the wing and shot the puck through his legs. While that type of move is more commonplace in today's NHL, it was not something often done at the time.

"I came off and I was sitting on the bench and Quenneville was like, 'Did you just do that? Did you just do that? Leave that juniors stuff at home,'" Versteeg recalled with a laugh. "Later, we went into the room and he came in and then brought me into a little hallway and he's screaming at me, 'Did you just do that? Did you just do that?' I was thinking, 'Holy cow, that's twice in the last 10 minutes.'

"We came into the rink the next day and during a video session he showed it and everyone started laughing," Versteeg continued with the story. "Then we go out to practice and every drill Byfuglien and Kane were shooting the puck through their legs just to rub it into me. As I look back, it was so funny."

Having fun was a big part of Versteeg's game and he was known for often lightening the mood in the dressing room with a song or his quick wit. That trait along with with high-end offensive skills and dogged determination to battle through injuries are hallmarks of Versteeg's career.

"I think the people that will remember me and were fans think of me as someone who tried to have fun while I gave everything I had," Versteeg said. "I played with tenaciousness and that fear that small guys in those days had to have. If you were small in those days and you weren't slightly crazy or tough or tenacious you would never have survived. I'm proud of where I grew up and the people who shaped me in order to have it."

For now, Versteeg will continue to self-isolate with his wife, Brittany, and young sons Jaxson (4 years old), Maddox (3) and daughter Brynn (8 months) in their home in Brooklin, Ontario. When hockey returns, Versteeg plans to serve as a TV analyst for Sportsnet in Canada.

After reflecting on his career, Versteeg had a message for Blackhawks fans.

"I really want to thank them for giving me the ride of my life," Versteeg said. "I never thought I'd be a Hall-of-Famer but the way they treated me I sure felt like one. I just want to thank them for the feelings and moments they gave me and all the great memories. I want to thank every one of them."