Random Ruminations of My Mind

It was sad to see Tie Domi, nicknamed the ‘Enforcer’ and a fan favourite of the Toronto Maple Leafs, retire from the hockey club. The one guy who gave 110% every night, even though he may not have produced any fruitful stats, or shown any dazzling skill, you could always count on him to give you that extra boost of energy to the team when they needed it most. He played the game with tremendous heart and courage and that’s why he was liked so much by his fans, and by his teamates.

Domi announced his retirement yesterday at a press conference in Toronto. I think it was more his age that caught up with him rather than anything that prompted it. The guy is like 36 years old, and after 16 years of fighting, hitting, and of course, taking hits, his body just couldn’t produce what low production he had in previous seasons. Another factor was probably that the Leafs management didn’t want him anymore. After the lockout in 2005, the face of the game changed from a more defensive game, to one of more offence, more goals, more penalty calls. And the leafs just couldn’t afford to rack up on penalties, which is what Domi was good at. 3rd in career penalty minutes with 3515 minutes, Domi racked up a good chunk of penalties fighting the biggest and baddest fighters in the NHL, including many bouts with Bob Probert who looked twice his size.

The management at the Toronto Maple Leafs may not have wanted him, but surely his fans did as well as his teamates. He will be missed. I’m glad however, that he’s not going over to another team, and that he retired at Toronto. It just wouldn’t be right for him to play for another team. And I’m also glad to see him join the Analyst team at TSN. I’m hoping he’s as confrontational and has a ‘tell em like it is’ Don Cherry type personality on camera, as he did on the ice. Fare well Domi…