In an Instagram post, the 33 year old Predators defenseman announced the end of his NHL playing career.
In an Instagram post, the 33 year old Predators defenseman announced the end of his NHL playing career.
Nashville Predators defenseman Mark Borowiecki announced today on his Instagram page that his career as a professional hockey player has come to an end after twelve seasons.
Borowiecki was a fifth round pick by Ottawa in the 2008 draft where he played 375 games for the Senators over nine years. Nashville signed Boro to a two year, $4 million contract in October 2020 and re-signed him to a one year deal for the 2022-2023 season.
Borowiecki is known for his physical style of play and fearlessness when it came time to step up and defend a teammate or bring the energy with fisticuffs. He is well respected in the locker room and loved in the Nashville community. He has also been an outspoken advocate for mental health.
Borowiecki only played four games this season before an awkward hit against the boards in the October 22 games against the Philadelphia Flyers sidelined him for the remainder of the season. Boro stayed involved with the team during his long recovery and spent time down the stretch working out with other injured Predators players.
At the end of the season press conference David Poile spoke highly of Boro and of his impending decision about his playing future.
""If he doesn't want to play anymore, I certainly would like to talk to him," Poile said when asked about Borowiecki's plans. "I've talked to Barry [Trotz] and John [Hynes] about that. Boro's been around all the time. I said to him yesterday we missed Boro in our lineup - not only his physical presence, but the person that he is. He's a real mentor to the younger guys."
The defenseman's work with and support of his teammates down the stretch may open a door for a different role with the Predators now that his playing days are done.
"Boro is certainly a guy that we're going to talk to regardless of his playing status after the season", Poile said.
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