Thanks, Wes.

Glen Wesley, longtime Defenseman for the Carolina Hurricanes, and the only original Hurricane from the dreaded Greensboro years still playing on the team, announced his retirement today.

One play symbolizes his work ethic and heady defensive style. Never a high scorer, never fast, never physically dominating, he managed to play over 1400 games as a defenseman in the NHL because he was smart and positionally nearly perfect. For proof of that, go back and watch the 2006 Eastern Conference Finals, where Cam Ward was down and out of position on a Sabres shot, and Wesley leaped over Ward and sacrificed his body to sweep the puck away from the goal line with his stick. That play probably saved the season, and the Cup.

Of course, you can also remember him for appearing in the best hockey commercial ever made:



Just don't ask about those Saturn commercials. Those are not to be discussed.

In any event, thanks for being there for so long, Glen. You're a hell of a player, a heck of a nice guy, and wonderful example for young athletes to see the level of dedication it takes to succeed at a sport.

Thanks for the memories.