Eric Gryba announces retirement after seven NHL seasons

It was fun while it lasted, but it’s time to move onto different things.

After failing to crack the Flames lineup on a professional tryout, veteran defenceman Eric Gryba has called it quits.

He confirmed his retirement decision in a video message posted on Twitter.

“Hey, guys, I just wanted to give you all a heads up that I am retiring from professional hockey,” said Gryba in the video.

“It’s been a lot of great years and a lot of great memories, but the body is starting to fail a little bit and I feel it’s just time to move on to the next chapter of my life.”

The 31-year old, who was selected 68th overall in the 2006 NHL Draft, compiled seven goals, 36 assists, 368 penalty minutes and a plus-15 rating over a span of seven seasons and 289 games split between the Ottawa Senators, Edmonton Oilers and New Jersey Devils.