Defenseman Mark Borowiecki announces retirement

Nashville Predators defenseman Mark Borowiecki officially announced his retirement from the NHL after playing 12 seasons in the league. The 33-year-old, known for his physical play and strong leadership, made the announcement on Wednesday via Instagram.

Borowiecki was a fan favorite wherever he played, most notably with the Ottawa Senators, where he spent the majority of his career. He was drafted by the Senators in the fifth round of the 2008 NHL Draft and established himself as a hard-nosed defender who wasn’t afraid to drop the gloves. Over the course of his career, he recorded 848 penalty minutes in 458 regular-season games, leading the league in that department twice. He wraps up his NHL career with 15 goals and 41 assists for 56 points.

In his retirement statement, Borowiecki thanked his family, friends and former teammates for their support throughout his career. He also expressed his gratitude to the Senators organization, saying, “I am so appreciative of everyone who has helped me along the way. Especially the [Senators], where my career began, and the [Predators] where my career ended.”

Borowiecki’s retirement comes after he sustained a season-ending injury just four games into the 2022-23 campaign. He was stretchered off the ice in an October game against the Philadelphia Flyers after a hit from Morgan Frost resulted in Borowiecki’s head making contact with the glass before falling to the ice.

Borowiecki was known not just for his on-ice contributions, but also for his off-ice work. Near the end of his career especially, Borowiecki was an outspoken advocate for mental health among hockey players, notably among concussion victims. Borowiecki also gained positive notoriety for performing a citizen's arrest in late 2019 while on the road in Vancouver, stopping a car break-in, doubling down on the “Borocop” nickname.