Signs say Walz pondering retirement

Signs say Walz pondering retirement

On the fourth day of the veteran forward's unexplained absence, his
agent said only that he needed more time.

By Michael Russo, Star Tribune

November 04, 2007

http://www.startribune.com/wild/story/1528356.html

Four days after being excused from the Wild for "personal reasons,"
Wes Walz has still not surfaced and all indications are the veteran
center is contemplating his future in the NHL.
Thursday morning, the Wild front office said Walz, one of the most
popular players in team history, would be away for "two or three
days." Saturday night, General Manager Doug Risebrough referred
questions regarding Walz to his agent, Jay Grossman.

Via e-mail Sunday, Grossman said that he understands the concern and
the need to address Walz's absence, but "the matter is personal and he
is going to need additional time."

Walz, who could not be reached Sunday, has been incommunicado since
Wednesday's practice. Teammates have been told that Walz will be away
for an undetermined amount of time but that he's OK and that nothing's
wrong with any member of his family.

Some teammates, who have not spoken to Walz directly but have
exchanged text messages voicing support, speculate the 37-year-old
veteran forward is questioning his desire and ability to continue
playing.

One of two original members still with the Wild (Marian Gaborik is the
other), Walz is the team's all-time leader with 438 games played. His
82 goals and 182 points rank second to Gaborik.

A tremendous-skating checker, Walz has been a heart-and-soul leader, a
positive influence on up-and-comers such as Mikko Koivu and Brent
Burns.

In 2002-03, Walz was a Selke Trophy (NHL's best defensive forward)
finalist, and that was before a marvelous playoff in which he scored
seven goals and shut down stars such as Peter Forsberg.

But he's a proud player, and this season he hasn't seemed comfortable,
scoring one goal (although it was a beauty in his hometown of Calgary)
with three assists. He's also a minus-5, playing 13 minutes, 48
seconds a game (15th on the team).

In his last game, a 4-2 loss to Pittsburgh on Tuesday, Walz played
against the Sidney Crosby-Evgeni Malkin juggernaut. The duo combined
for seven points, Walz was on for two goals against and he was beaten
on 13 of 16 faceoffs.

Not wanting to make a long-term offer in case of retirement or
career-ending injury, Risebrough re-signed Walz to a one-year deal
worth $1.4 million (including bonuses). The unused cap hit would be
erased if Walz retires.

Walz has considered retirement during the past three offseasons. And
after last season, Walz admitted he was disappointed at his playoff
performance.

In April 2006, Walz said: "I don't think I'm going to be one of those
guys who's going to hang on and they're going to cut my skates off. I
enjoy coming to the rink. I love competing. But there's more to life
than hockey."

Walz, a former Boston Bruins pick, was a junior star for Lethbridge of
the Western Hockey League (83 points and 244 points). He spent the
next several years shuffling back and forth between the NHL and minors
before spending four years in Switzerland. Risebrough called in 2000
with an offer from the expansion Wild.

"I thought for sure I was riding off into the sunset 10 years ago,"
Walz said in January 2006. "But I always felt I had more to give over
here. I'm just so glad I was given an opportunity to satisfy my dreams
of playing in the NHL and maybe even having an impact."



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