PWHL Toronto netminder Erica took a leave from her job as a firefighter to return to pro hockey full time. PWHL Toronto netminder Erica Howe officially announced her retirement from hockey on Thursday. The 31-year-old appeared in three games this season with PWHL Toronto posting a 1.89 GAA and .921 save percentage. Howe was on a hiatus from her job as a firefighter [https://thehockeynews.com/womens/pwhl/erica-howe-from-smothering-fires-to-smothering-pucks] where her department gave her full support to follow her path to the PWHL this season as Toronto's backup goalie. Howe posted a message on social media saying goodbye to hockey. She wrote, "Dear hockey, thank you for the past 27 years. I have you to thank for the friends I’ve made, the places I’ve been and the person I’ve become. You taught me to be brave, embrace challenges and to love with my whole heart.I will never forget the early mornings, late nights, killer workouts, big losses, bigger wins, bus rides, tears, laughter, euchre, spikeball and most importantly, the teammates who were by my side during it all.You gave me more than I could ever ask for, and you will always be my first love. My heart is so full and I am the luckiest person alive." Howe won an NCAA national championship with Clarkson, a Clarkson Cup with the CWHL's Markham Thunder, and is a former member of Canada's national program. Howe also spent four seasons in the PWHPA. The Orleans, Ontario product won gold with Canada's U-18 national team and also collected a silver as Canada's third goalie at the 2016 World Championships.
