Kris Versteeg terminates his contract, announces his retirement.

The Chicago Blackhawks have just said goodbye, at least for now, to one of the pieces of arguably the greatest era in the history of their franchise. 

On Sunday the Rockford IceHogs, the American Hockey League affiliate of the Chicago Blackhawks organization, announced that veteran forward Kris Versteeg had decided to end his contract with the organization in what they called a mutual termination. In spite of the fact that both parties clearly agreed to end things amicably it has since become very clear that this was a decision motivated entirely by Versteeg, one that will now effectively put an end to his career as a professional hockey player. 

Although never considered to be a star level player Versteeg's name is a household one in the city of Chicago thanks in large part to the fact that the 33 year old forward captured a Stanley Cup with the organization in 2010 in his first stint with the Blackhawks and then did so again when he returned for his second stint, capturing the 2015 Stanley Cup Championship with the team.

His stint with the Rockford IceHogs marked the 3rd time in the last 2 seasons that Versteeg seemingly sought to extend his career, although all 3 of those attempts appeared to fail. After playing in his final season in the National Hockey League as a member of the Calgary Flames, Versteeg went overseas to play in the Kontinental Hockey League with Omsk Avangard but would only last a total of 11 games there. He then switched gears that same season and joined  Vaxjo HC of the Swedish Hockey League but the result was similar with Versteeg only appearing in 12 games for that organization.

In his return to North America it was the Blackhawks organization that gave him another chance by signing him to a deal with their AHL affiliate and even making him the captain of the IceHogs. Versteeg however would later admit that following an injury this season his desire to play had simply faded away and he felt guilty that he was potentially taking a spot away from a young player that could be working his way towards a career in the NHL. 

Versteeg was very candid in his exit interview and you can check that out in the video provided below.