Hornqvist played 15 seasons in the NHL for Nashville, Pittsburgh and Florida
The Florida Panthers have undergone a clear and dynamic shift over the past few years.
Both in terms of the team’s roster and its overall culture, things are quite different around the Cats these days.
Many will point to the hiring as General Manager Bill Zito as the catalyst, and they would be correct.
Zito’s arrival on the job and his vision for the team have proven, to this point, to be as spot-on as you can get.
It's no coincidence, then, that the first move Zito made after being hired by the Panthers was to acquire forward Patric Hornqvist.
The two-time Stanley Cup Champion and his team first, hard-working attitude was exactly what was needed in Florida's dressing room to change the culture around the team from one that was trying to become a consistent winner to one that played and acted like a perennial playoff team.
It's been a steady progression in the time since, with the Panthers winning a Presidents' Trophy and earning a trip to the Stanley Cup Final.
Unfortunately for the team, and for Hornqvist, the veteran forward was able to play in the team's amazing run to the Final.
He suffered two concussions earlier this season, the second one coming during a game in Seattle on Dec. 3.
That would be Hornqvist's final game in the NHL.
He remained with the Panthers throughout the remainder of the season, practicing regularly with the team and helping injured players keep their conditioning and preparing for a return.
Once Florida's epic Stanley Cup Final run came to a premature end, Hornqvist and his family moved back to Sweden.
Speaking to media from the NHL Draft in Nashville last week, Zito expressed a desire to keep Hornqvist in the Panthers organization while alluding to his retirement.
"He's back home and we're talking and hoping we can keep him in the organization, we’d be thrilled to do so," Zito said. "I just can't thank him enough for his contribution. To think where we are today, he’s a significant, significant reason, and rarely in life can you point to an individual and say, my collective achieved something (because of him), but in this case, you can. He's been a wonderful teammate and a wonderful Panther. We have a sincere and deep gratitude for everything he's done for our organization."
Now we know what Zito was suggesting, in terms of Hornqvist's career, is in fact a reality.
According to Per Bjurman of Sportbladet in Sweden, Hornqvist is officially retiring from the NHL.
Speaking to the Swedish publication, Hornqvist told Bjurman that the decision was difficult to make.
Ultimately, following a history of concussions during the latter stages of his career, Hornqvist he didn't want to risk any further injury and jeopardize his quality of life after hockey.
The 36-year-old did confirm that there is mutual interest between with the Panthers for him to remain with the team in some capacity.
Hornqvist said that he'll remain in Stockholm for now with his family.
Zito said in Nashville that when the time comes, he would work with Hornqvist to find a role that works for both him and the organization.
"I think easiest way to characterize it is shared interest in him being in the organization," Zito said. "I think we'll find the right role, whether it's development, coaching, scouting, maybe a little bit of everything."