His name freshly signed to a two-year contract with SKA St. Petersburg of the Kontinental Hockey League, former Detroit Red Wings center Pavel Datsyuk turned to social media to explain himself and to say good-bye.
Datsyuk, who opted out of the last year of his contract with the Red Wings, posted the following Facebook post after his pact to play in his native Russia was unveiled:
“Dear Friends, “I am blessed to have received an offer to continue my hockey career at home with SKA in St. Petersburg. It was a difficult decision to retire from the Red Wings and NHL, but in my heart, I believe it is the best decision for me and my family.
“My decision was not an easy one. Your support of the Detroit Red Wings and of me personally has meant so much to me. I arrived a young man that few had heard of and I am leaving with so many offering their kind wishes, love and respect. I am so thankful. You have provided so much for me and my family and I will be forever grateful to the game of hockey, the NHL, the Detroit Red Wings and most importantly, to you, our fans.
“With the reality that I will no longer be a Red Wing or playing in the NHL, I realize there are a lot of people I would like to personally thank.
“I also want to especially thank Mr. and Mrs. Ilitch and the entire Ilitch family for all their support over the years. They are tremendous owners and I loved playing for them. Similarly, I owe a great deal to Ken Holland for his understanding and support during the last few years in particular, but really throughout my career. Ken and the entire organization have always treated me well and he, together with all of the organization, are a major reason why every player in the league wants to play in Detroit.
“I would also like to thank all of my teammates. We have had many successes, and many times fell short of our goals, but it has been an honor and privilege to play by your side.
“I also want to thank all of my coaches, in particular Mike Babcock for his support, wisdom and guidance over most of my career and Jeff Blashill for taking over and leading us to another playoff year. I am confident that Coach Blashill will have a high level of success and will continue to add to the great history of the Detroit Red Wings.
“Finally and most importantly, to the fans of the Detroit Red Wings throughout Michigan, the United States and Canada (as well as those in Russia and elsewhere). I so appreciated your passionate support over the years and truly enjoyed playing for you. I loved playing in Detroit!
“From the bottom of my heart I thank you all for everything.…
Unlike Datsyuk, when Babcock left the Wings last summer to take over as coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs, he took out full-page ads in Detroit daily newspapers to thank Red Wings fans.
Datsyuk’s two-year deal with St. Petersburg, which will carry him through the opportunity to play for Russia at the 2018 Winter Olympics, is worth 500 million rubles per season, the equivalent of about $7.6 million a year.
Mother Knows Best As left-winger Evgeny Svechnikov, Detroit’s top pick in the 2015 NHL entry draft, readies to begin his pro career this fall with Detroit’s AHL Grand Rapids Griffins farm club, he will do so with family support.
Svechnikov’s mother Elena will move to Michigan to be with both Evgeny and her younger son Andrei, a forward who has signed to play for the USHL’s Muskegon Lumberjacks this season.
Wings File With Mrazek The Red Wings opted to file for arbitration with restricted free agent goaltender Petr Mrazek.
NHL arbitration hearings are slated to take place between July 20 and Aug. 4 but the two sides will continue to negotiate up until that time period in search of resolution.
If they end up in a hearing, Mrazek, 24, who earned $737,500 last season can ask for a one or two-year deal.
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