Following Saturday's home win over the Royals, John Muse announced his retirement for the second time.
John Muse came out of retirement for the Worcester Railers on Dec. 29, 2023 and promptly shut out the Reading Royals 5-0.
On Saturday night, the 36-year-old Muse played his final game with the Railers before retiring again, this time a 5-3 victory over the Royals.
How’s that for a bookend?
Muse recorded 34 saves in the win to extend his record on the season to 5-3-1-1 this season. He almost became the first goaltender in franchise history to score a goal, missing an empty-netter by inches.
After Reading netminder Keith Petruzzelli went to the bench for the extra skater late in the third period, Muse took possession of the puck near his net and sent a shot down the ice. It crossed the blue line and got close to the Royals’ net, only to veer away to the left, robbing him of history in his final game.
That’s about the only thing that went wrong for Muse, holding off a pesky Reading effort. Worcester trailed 2-0 after 20 minutes, then trailed 3-2 after two periods.
The third period saw the Railers explode for three goals and outshoot Reading 15-3 for the 5-3 victory.
Muse’s teammates and coaches knew before the game he was retiring, having been offered an opportunity to coach the Chinese National Team. The crowd, however, was not aware until it was announced after the game.
“You never know when an opportunity like this will come along,” Muse told reporters following the game. “I’m 36, and planned to retire at the end of this season anyway.”
On Saturday, Railers goaltender Michael Bullion was recalled to the AHL’s Bridgeport Islanders. That left 40-year-old Joe Spagnoli as Muse’s backup. Bullion is expected to be back in time for Sunday’s game, but the Railers will need to find some stability in net moving forward.
Prior to turning pro, Muse was a standout with Boston College from 2007-11. A two-time men’s Division I ice hockey champion, he was named Goaltender of the Year and Walter Brown Award Winner. He also spent time in the ECHL with Fort Wayne and Rading and played overseas.
Muse, a native of East Falmouth, Mass., signed a Professional Tryout (PTO) contract with Bridgeport of the AHL last month before joining the Railers.
Worcester head coach Nick Tuzzolino played with Muse 10 years ago when the two played with the Fort Wayne Komets.
“Absolutely 100 percent there is not a better goalie in minor league hockey,” Tuzzolino said. “I told him it was a pleasure to play in front of him and an even greater pleasure to coach him.”
Muse knows walking away from the playing side of the game isn’t easy.
“I will miss it a lot,” he said. “It’s been my life for 30-something years. I started skating when I was two. Ever since I left high school, that’s what my life has been — hockey, hockey hockey.”