Guess Sunday against the Komets was Sebastien Laplante's last game. This is from a release by the Quad City Mallards.
``The Quad City Mallards, proud International Hockey League (IHL) affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers, today announced that goaltender Sebastien Laplante has retired from hockey and that defenseman Darren McMillan has been waived in order to clear the way for McMillan to pursue a playing opportunity in Germany.
``I've made this decision after a great deal of thought and soul-searching- I've had to fight through a series of injuries the last couple of years, including a lingering groin problem this season, and at the same time I have an opportunity with my father's car dealership back home so this is the right decision for me,” said Laplante.
“The difficult part of this is having to leave the Mallards and the Quad Cities. I've been nothing but impressed since day one by the commitment shown by Mallards owner, the Mallards organization and the passion of the fans and have thoroughly enjoyed working with Coach [Frank] Anzalone. I've just reached a point in my life where I needed to make this change and after conversations with my wife, we decided it was time.”
``Laplante's retirement brings to an end an eight-year pro career. The 28-year old was selected by the Mallards in last summer's International Hockey League expansion draft off the roster of the Fort Wayne Komets. The Casselman, Ontario native saw action in six games with the Mallards this season, going 1-3-1-1 with a 3.16 goals against average and a .902 save percentage.
“Sebastien and I had a lengthy conversation about his career and life goals and over the course of that conversation it became clear that this is the best decision for him and wife,” said Mallards owner Chris Lencheski. “He was highly complimentary of both our organization and our fans and while he felt badly about leaving the team especially as the team is beginning to show marked improvements, this is a necessary step for him at this point and he has the full support of our organization in making this decision and I wish him well. This allows the team to move forward now in continuing to improve.”
Comments
This kind of bums me out because Sebastien was and is such a class act that I'll miss seeing him play. Good luck, Seabass!
Seems to me a lot of guys seem to be leaving or retiring of their own free will from the Mallard team. I've heard rumors that the coach is already losing that locker room. Maybe a mutiny to follow??
Good Luck Seabass..
I noticed that in the ECHL, a lot of players retire or leave to play in Europe mid-season, too. The only difference being that in the ECHL, they are immediately suspended.
I suppose this isn't a surprise. Heck, I was more surprised that he decided to go ahead and play for the Mallards since it was mentioned last summer that he was probably going to retire.
thats shadey to leave your team in the middle of the season......playing on a crappy team so you take your puck and go home?
I don't think Laplante is leaving because the Mallards are not doing too well. When opportunities present themselves in life, you have to look and see if they would benefit you and your family. Mitch Woods did the same thing this year. A great job he enjoyed needed him and he knew hockey wouldn't last forever. You can never fault a player for putting what he believes would benefit his family first. We all know that you can't play sports forever. I wish Laplante and his family the absolute best.
Good luck Seabass!! You are a great goalie. This is not really a surprise to me because I just talked to his wife when we played them here and she told us that he had really contemplated retiring. They had just sold their house in Wichita so they could live in the Quad cities area. I'm sorry for them now that they did this, then had a change of heart. I wish them nothing but the best. They are a very sweet and nice couple.
but woods didnt join the team and play 3 months.....you think laplante would of retired if he were playing for the komets?........im just sayin
To me78. Who knows what he would have done if he were playing with the K's. The point is simply this: he and his wife made a "life" decision. It appears it was a difficult decision, one they had thought long and hard about. I would bet that Quad City probably was aware that this could happen when they signed him. Sometimes we as fans get to thinking that the "organization" is more important than an individuals' happiness. It isn't and never will be. In my opinion people should congratulate him, not criticize him for leaving a game he has loved for the future of his family.
Playing hockey is a job just like anything else. You get tired of the job and you move on.
it effects me in no way, either if he plays or retires i could care a less.....i was just throwing it out there
Best of luck to Seabas.
Hockey isn't a job. It's a calling.
Either way, a job or a calling, it does not pay well at this level, and you have to pay the bills. I'm not sure if he has kids or not, but the guy has to feed his family. I wish him all the best at whatever path he chooses the rest of his life.
I know. When there's a family to consider, you can't be selfish. But generally speaking, getting paid well is overrated.
All the luck to LaPlante in his future endeavors...
I think being on a last place team has alot to do with it along with the nagging injuries; but I dont think he should have mentioned the opportunity in the "family" business, since I am fairly confident that that opportunity would still be there at seasons end... Minus the "cash for clunkers" deal, a job in minor league hockey may be more stable than working in the auto retail business (based on conversations with friends in the same field) right now...