Breaking: 34-year-old center won't be back next season due to blood clots.

As reported by John Vogl, Buffalo Sabres insider, it’s officially over now. Veteran center Cody McCormick’s contract with the Sabres expired this summer, and the blood clot sent him into retirement.

However, McCormick hopes to stay in the NHL in a different position.

“I don’t want to just be remembered for a guy who played hockey,” McCormick said. “I’ve got some more stuff to do.”

“I’ve been reconnecting with ex-players who are now in management. I’ve been out of the game for a couple years now, but you call those guys and it’s like you’re picking up where you left off. I was able to pick up some good stuff off of them and see how people develop players and get as much research done on it as I can.”

McCormick was drafted 144th overall by the Colorado Avalanche in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft from the Belleville Bulls of the OHL.

He played for the Colorado Avalanches, Minnesota Wild and Buffalo Sabres.