TORONTO – Jason Spezza has referred to the National Hockey League, paradoxically, as the most comfortable and ruthless circuit of his favorite sport, as “an adaptation league or death.”
So the trick, Spezza tells all those emerging youngsters who choose between their wisdom and only dream of lasting 1,248 games, is to be honest.
Even when it hurts.
Number 19 has a tip for those who want to last 19 years in the NHL – constantly evaluate how you’re playing. Ask yourself what you can do to improve. What you are doing right. Where you can go further. How can you fit in better to help the greater good? Then, wake up the next day, fit them in and re-evaluate everything.
Be critical before the coach, who has 22 other imperfect players to worry about, becomes critical of you. Because when he puts you aside, you’ve probably slipped for a week. And it may be too late.
Announcing his retirement and immediate change at the Toronto Maple Leafs reception on Sunday, Spezza leaves the roar of the crowd with the 94th most points scored of all time (995).
The 38-year-old is proud of his sincere ability to evaluate his own game, when he contributes, when he doesn’t, and to be able to cover up the negative momentum on the positive ice.
Right now, Spezza has done the same in the swift, respectful transition from a significant depth forward to a valuable member of the Leafs’ executive branch, where he will serve as Special Assistant to General Manager Kyle Dubas until in a stop. -Ice area to pour your experience. (Player evaluation and development is a smart bet.)
What also allowed Spezza to excel as a young play phenomenon for the Ottawa Senators containing the Cup and a wise fourth-line veteran in his hometown is the same approach looking in the mirror that caused this painful decision, with only five shy points. of 1,000 and a Cup away from his fiercest desire.
“I still don’t know if I got it right,” Spezza says Sunday.
“I’m a pretty realistic guy. I think. You know, over time, I knew I wouldn’t do it forever. I also want to leave the team in a good place. I know you don’t want to be welcomed as a player “I think there is a lot of respect that people have for me, and you don’t want to use it and take advantage of the situation.”
Healthy was frequently scratched along the stretch and in the frustrating seven-game Leafs loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning wagon, Spezza admitted that the handshake line felt different this month.
As he believed stronger, the needle of defeat burned in a way he had not done since those Sens knocking on the door came to three victories before lifting Lord Stanley Mug in 2007.
After his stellar performance, Spezza admitted he was “a little lost.” He first turned inward to ask questions.
“Did I do enough? Did I help push the right buttons? Did I do everything I could to help the team get over it?” Spezza, his harshest critic, wondered. “It’s difficult. It’s just these opportunities, they don’t come very often.
“I don’t know if I agree with that at all. But I’m very excited to be able to continue with the organization. It will make me feel like I’m still part of the team, that I am, and it will help my retirement process.”
Reflection, scrutiny, and sincere conversations with past and present teammates continued over the next few days as hockey continued without him.
Mother and father, wife Jennifer and her four daughters, dear friends, past and present teammates, coach Sheldon Keefe, Dubas, club president Brendan Shanahan, Spezza talked about the decision with everyone they.
A former NHL player in Spezza’s inner circle gave a vision that got stuck.
“[He] he told me that I had the best job in hockey in the last 20 years and that being a player is something you will never be able to play. But there are other roles. And there are other ways to feel that excitement for the game, “says Spezza.
“But there is no doubt that being a player is special. It’s the biggest job you can have. I don’t think people will ever understand the daily routine. Just waking up one day of play and not feeling better after taking a nap and preparing your body at 7pm to play. And have a great night. You win a game and come out on top. That’s the kind of thing you’ll never get back. “
What Spezza cannot recover will pay off in the future, as he has always done.
Like the moment he used his hands not to simulate a vintage slap, but to get up and throw himself in the face of Dean Kukan when he felt the Leafs had to literally fight the Columbus Blue Jackets in the bubble of the 2020 playoffs.
Or when, during the pandemic, he passed the plaque and amassed financial contributions from his fellow NHL billionaires to help make up for the reduced AHL Marlies.
Or when his desperate speech in between helped Toronto’s most recent victory, an inspired comeback against Lighting in Game 5.
Or when the contract negotiations took place and Spezza happily signed for the minimum wage, an act, Dubas says, helped encourage Mark Giordano to accept his $ 800,000 discount last week.
Dubas talks about the summer training sessions at the Ford Performance Center, where the Spezza track rat would share his childhood knowledge and laughter with virtually every member of the organization.
“He doesn’t treat anyone differently and he was willing to do anything to help them,” Dubas said. “If you’re a player who comes to an agreement with the ECHL or a two-way deal between the American League and the ECHL, and Jason Spezza, who is obviously someone that everyone has grown up watching and who thinks very positively, is only willing to give and take your time when no one would expect it. That was quite remarkable. “
So did Spezza’s quiet actions during the pre-match meal of the Leafs in Pittsburgh on February 18, 2020.
The team had just put a smelly 5-2 on Buffalo. Injuries were increasing, the group was playing poorly and the heads were sunk towards the slow half of a back.
Dubas remembers Spezza jumping off her plate and making her way around the room, giving individual encouragement to each Leaf who needed a boost. The act was not for show; Dubas learned that Spezza’s mini-talks continued after the GM had left the room.
The day he leaves the locker room for the reception, Spezza considers the impression he has made on his teammates.
“I hope they recognize that I love the game. I think I’ve only tried to be myself every day. I think I’ve never done an act. I think I’ve never tried to be someone who wasn’t. I think if you can be vulnerable to “Your teammates and showing them who you really are, I think that creates a stronger bond and stronger friendships. And my best friendships are through hockey, and that’s not a mistake,” says Spezza.
A shameless hockey nerd, Spezza is proud today of everything he gave. Rightly so.
However, to be honest, this pride is exacerbated by the bitterness of disappointment. An unfulfilled dream.
“I don’t think I can ever put into words how much it means to me to try to win the Stanley Cup. There’s definitely a big gap in my heart and in my career, ”says Spezza.
“I’ve spent many sleepless nights throughout my career, wondering what to do differently and how to change to win a Stanley Cup. And not being able to win a Stanley Cup as a player is very difficult. It’s the work of my life, hockey, and not being able to be a champion is hard.
“But I think that will also help me want to continue in the game. I think it will never feel the same as being a player. But now I will try to win a Stanley Cup as an executive and as part of the organization. will keep pushing. “
No, Jason Spezza’s hockey career is not dead.
It has simply been adapted.