Getzlaf Thanks Family, Friends and More in Emotional Retirement Speech

After 17 spectacular seasons as an Anaheim Duck, Ryan Getzlaf has officially decided to call it a career.

Getzlaf officially declared his future plans Tuesday in a surprise ceremony, to him at least, at Honda Center.
"This is much more than I expected today," Getzlaf said with a chuckle. "I thought I was just talking to the media, not everyone who has helped me along my career and been there for me all along the way."
He shared the moment with friends and family, including his parents, Steve and Susan - who surprised their son as front-row attendees on his big day - his wife Paige, their four children, Ryder, Gavin, Willa and Mac and numerous former teammates.
"It's incredible that you're here," he said to his parents. "I appreciate you guys coming down and being here for me like you have my whole life. You've taught me so many of the values I hold true today, family, friends and leadership...It's enabled me to get where I am today."
"Thank you for being there for me," he told Paige. "We went through ups and downs, but you've been the rock at home the whole time. It makes a big difference, as a player, to be able to share that with you, to create things with you."

Getzlaf also spoke about his brother, Chris, a longtime Canadian Football League player who could not be in attendance Tuesday.
"Chris probably has no idea how much effect he's had on me and my life," Getzlaf said. "He quietly went about his business without any resentment, any love lost, with my success. He played in the CFL for 13 years and had a great career, and did that all on the heels of me going through the NHL Draft, making the NHL and winning the Stanley Cup, and he did that with great support for me, without resentment. I love him very much for that."
Susan and Steve each shared their admiration for the youngest son, saying they were most proud of the way he carried himself off the ice and the way he impacted a community he grew to love.

"We are so proud of you and all your accomplishments, on and off the ice," Susan said. "Over the years you have been so generous in sharing your hockey life with family and friends. It's been so exciting for all of us, but your giving nature goes far beyond. You are a leader of your team, a loving husband and father, and a great supporter of your community, all traits to be very proud."
The 36-year-old said he will greatly miss playing the game's he devoted much of his life to and the thrill of its competition, but decided now was the time to shift his focus homeward.
"I'm not around as much as I'd like to be, and this is a step in the direction of being there for you more," he told his kids, all wearing his #15 jerseys with the captain's "C" on the front. "You've always found a way to make me feel great when I came home whether it be good days or bad. Know how much I appreciate you."
The Captain retires as the most decorated player in franchise history, it's all-time leader in scoring (both regular season and playoffs), assists and games played. He's one of 11 in NHL history to have captained the same team for 10 years and scored 1,000 points and one of 13 to win two Olympic gold medals and a Stanley Cup championship. He currently ranks in the top 100 on the NHL's all-time points (88th) and assists (51st) list, and is one of 56 players in NHL history to record 700 assists.
As classy as ever, Getzlaf was quick to thank the people who provided guidance and support throughout his NHL journey, mentioning former coaches, trainers, management and staff.
"I've had numerous coaches since I was four or five years old that taught me the value of being a good teammate," Getzlaf said. "I've learned a lot from everybody.

"The trainers, that's a soft spot," Getzlaf added, fighting back tears. "Those of us who have played the game know how much those guys mean to us. Some are still here and with us, some have gone on to other things, I want to thank you guys for all the hours you put in, all the times where we get in late and you show up at the rink before us, after us, all that kind of stuff.
"I can't tell you how much it's meant to me to have the teammates and friendships I've had. I love all you guys."
He also specifically highlighted one special teammate, Corey Perry, his partner-in-crime for the first 14 years of their professional careers.
"Pears has been my best friends through all of this," Getzlaf said. "I just want to give a special thanks to Perry for everything he's done and everything we went through together. He's been an inspiration as far as someone that maybe wasn't gifted with everything everyone in this room has (laughs) but learned to battle and claw for everything he got. He was my partner, for lack of a better term, through all of it when we were kids, growing in this organization. We supported each other along the way."
Getzlaf also thanked the behind-the-scenes faces of an organization with which he's spent his entire NHL career, saying he considers it one of the greatest accomplishments to do it all with one team.
"Being one place for your whole career gives you the ability to create friendships," Getzlaf said. "I know everyone's face around this arena, and I've tried to make a point of thanking them every chance I get.
"It means a lot for the entire organization to have them there every day working and doing their jobs so we can do ours."
Getzlaf, who became a popular name in trade rumors as the Ducks began their rebuild, said he chose to remain in Anaheim because he wanted to match the loyalty he felt the organization had demonstrated to him throughout his career.

"Any contract talks, any future talks have always landed here," Getzlaf said. "To tell you the honest truth, last year's trade deadline was the hardest two days of my life. Paige and I stayed up long nights talking about it. Ultimately, the decision to stay here was based on the loyalty this organization has shown me over the years and it just didn't feel right to go anywhere."
Getzlaf's final NHL game will be April 24 on Fan Appreciation Night at Honda Center.
"I just want to say how thankful and blessed I am to be able to live out a dream and play a game I love," he concluded.