After attempting to resume his hockey career, the 700-game NHL veteran—39 of which he played with his hometown Edmonton Oilers—has decided to put up his skates.
The 34-year-old Ennis signed with Alder Mannhei of the DEL this season, where he was coached by Dallas Eakins, a former Oiler, and made seven appearances while tallying five assists.
However, word leaked out on Wednesday that Ennis was opting out of his contract early because of a “serious neck injury” he sustained in a game on November 21, 2023.
Ennis remarked in a team release, “I finally decided to quit hockey after working hard to get healthy with our great team.” “I want to express my gratitude to Mr. Hopp, my teammates, the coaches, our medical team, and our wonderful supporters for their support. I’ll be a fervent supporter of Adler Mannheim going forward.
Ennis spent over ten years playing in the East, where he was selected by the Buffalo Sabres with the 26th overall pick in the 2008 NHL draft. He wore a “A” during his final two seasons there, from 2015 to 2017. He played with the Minnesota Wild during the 2017–18 season before moving on to the Toronto Maple Leafs the following year.
Ennis signed a contract with the Ottawa Senators prior to the 2019–20 season, which was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He scored five goals and 13 points in 39 games before being dealt to the Oilers later in the season. He left the Sens in 2021–22, but he played with SC Bern of the Swiss National League the previous season, when he scored 24 points and 13 goals in 57 games.
“Tyler told me that he was retiring from hockey yesterday morning,” Eakins added. “At first, I was shocked, but after conversing with him for around two hours, I completely accept and endorse his choice. Tyler’s perseverance and devotion to healing from his accident inspired us.
“Our company and the locker room will miss Tyler’s experience, work ethic, and charisma. Tyler’s determination to follow his heart and make this courageous, individual choice is admirable. Tyler’s incredible career has been the result of his perseverance and hard work.
“Tyler’s future chapter will benefit greatly from these admirable traits. We will always support Tyler and have his back.
A snow day is in store for the Buffalo Sabres and Chicago Blackhawks.
The league moved the game back one day to Thursday, citing travel difficulties in the Buffalo area as they continued to be battered by several feet of snow.
Not only is this not the only sporting event to be restricted in the area in recent days, but earlier this week the NFL’s Buffalo Bills had to reschedule their Sunday afternoon Wild Card game against the Pittsburgh Steelers to Monday afternoon.
