You win haters.

Tri-City Americans' Governor/General Manager Bob Tory announced today that 20-year-old defenseman Eric Mestery has chosen to retire from the sport of hockey.

"I talked to Eric yesterday and he informed me that the passion and commitment needed to play at this level was gone...that the game was no longer fun for him," explained Tory. "Eric had asked that he not be traded, instead making a responsible and mature decision in regards to getting on with life after hockey. We wish him all the best in wherever his future takes him."

"We would like to thank Eric for the years of hard work and service that he put into our club. He contributed to four of the five banners that will forever hang in the Toyota Center," Tory continued. "He is a classy young man and a great teammate...his presence in the locker room will be missed."  (amshockey.com)

Well, there you have it.  You win haters.  I'm sure you're all partying it up knowing he'll be gone.  I, on the other hand, haz sad.  So do my ovaries.  

In all seriousness, that puts a big hole on defence, bigger than was already there with the departure of Toll and Plouffe.  People may not have liked that he wasn't super physical, but he could play some good solid defence and he'll be missed.

In other news, I was in attendance at the Heritage Classic press conference this afternoon, pics to come.