The man they call "Borocop" in Ottawa has announced his retirement and, after a fine hockey career, he's now looking to "pay it forward."

It’s an odd thing to see Mark Borowiecki come to a stop. 

From the day he was drafted by the Senators in 2008 – a proud Smiths Falls Bear at the time – Borowiecki always seemed to be going a thousand miles an hour. 

On and off the ice, the Kanata native endeared himself to local hockey fans in every way a person could. He managed to wring every ounce of talent and toughness out of his body, which always played far bigger than it actually was. And now, after more than a decade of crushing hits, blocked shots and protecting friends and teammates, that body probably feels more like 43 than 33.

Today, in a thoughtful post on Instagram, Borowiecki announced his retirement.

"After a lot of time, thought, love, and support, I have decided that my career as a professional hockey player has come to an end," Borowiecki wrote. "I am so appreciative of everyone who has helped me along the way. Especially the Senators, where my career began, and the Predators, where my career ended."

In all, Borowiecki played ten years in the Senators' organization, the last six as an NHL regular. He was a solid, hard-nosed defenceman in the league, but it's his character that's almost too good to be true. 

Borowiecki will be remembered as the player who would do anything to help his team and community, even agreeing to interview former owner Eugene Melnyk in an unusual, awkward pre-season interview to hype up the 2018-19 season. That's a tricky chat to have three days before your team trades away Erik Karlsson.

Borowiecki and his wife, Tara, marched in Ottawa Pride Parades, promoting acceptance and inclusivity, long before NHL teams even remotely considered having organized pride nights in their buildings. 

He even dabbled in crime-fighting during an off-day in Vancouver, thwarting a crook who had smashed open a nearby car.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzZxkVNaid8[/embed]

In 2020, the Sens opted not to re-sign Borowiecki and, after a decade in Senator red, it was strange to see him re-emerge in Nashville gold. Boro was a member of that organization for three years but only played the equivalent of one season. His final NHL game was back in October against Philadelphia, when he was stretchered off the ice after an awkward collision.

Now healthy, he's looking forward to the future. 

“It’s my job now to pay that all forward to the next generation of players,” Borowiecki said in his post. “I am very excited for a new chapter in the hockey world, and I’m looking forward to finding an opportunity to help grow the game and help other players develop.

It's impossible to believe the Senators won't eventually try and give him that opportunity. But today, Borowiecki is looking back on an NHL life well lived.

"A friend of mine who played a long, long time in the NHL asked me when I was a young player breaking into the league what I wanted my legacy to be," Borowiecki recalled. "He told me that being remembered as a good person and good teammate would always be far more important than any on ice accomplishments. I really hope that I have achieved that."

There isn't a single Sens fan who would suggest otherwise.